Jan-Willem van Schaik

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Brussels based trade association and industry lobby group Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) has announced that Kevin Mayne, the founding Chief Executive of the organisation, is to retire in 2024. Mayne, one of the industry's most visible political figures will step down later in the year after handing over to a successor who will be appointed through a selection process which will start immediately.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - The merger of two factories into one as Accell Group announced last Tuesday, has to result in a more efficient and sustainable production. However, an Accell Group spokesperson confirmed to Bike Europe that an investment plan for this modernisation has not been made yet. "We are currently analysing all options."

LEUVEN, Belgium - High-quality, low weight bicycles with a high performance are high on the wish-list of many cyclists. Carbon material ticks most boxes on this list, except that carbon frames show brittle fractures and are vulnerable to direct impact. To address the weak impact resistance of carbon, Rein4ced has introduced a hybrid material and innovated the production method.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The opening of Taipei Cycle Show 2024 is approaching quickly. The current condition of the market continues to be a source of concern for parts and component manufacturers. Is the industry ready again to look into the future with confidence and open for new business? The Taipei Cycle d&i Awards 2024 will kick-off the event showcasing the latest innovations.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The annual bike show for the Nordic market which takes place in Copenhagen is going to increase the emphasis on more B2B engagement. The organiser has introduced a series of services to trade visitors expanding on the success of 2023, where the Copenhagen Bike Show attracted over 10,000 visitors.

JELENIA GORA, Poland - The Darfon Group has inaugurated a new center for product development, design and innovation for the e-bike industry. The center will be fully dedicated to their OEM and ODM customers as well as their BESV e-bike brand.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The use of anti-dumping and anti-circumvention duties as a trade regulation for e-bikes from China has been much discussed in the industry in the past 5 years. On request of the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA), the European Commission has initiated an expiry review of the current e-bike anti-dumping measures.

BERLIN, Germany - In 2024, the German Federal Forest Act is to be comprehensively reformed after around 50 years. According to industry stakeholders, it could "significantly restrict freedom of movement in the forest". In that case the (e-)MTB market might face a serious decline as mountain biking could lose its appeal.

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam - Schwalbe announced yesterday the strategic realigning of its production and will manufacture all tyres and tubes exclusively in Vietnam in the future. The background to the decision is the development and tense situation in the bicycle industry. Instead of long-term orders, orders are almost exclusively placed spontaneously. "As a result, it is currently no longer possible to plan ahead to meet demand at two parallel production sites," explains Frank Bohle, CEO of Schwalbe in a company statement.

PHNOM PENH - The Cambodians were still hoping for better times and more export to cater for the seasonal festivals in the Western countries in the fourth quarter of 2023. But the bicycle warehouses in Europe and North America are still packed and Cambodia's bicycle export value is almost back at the same level as in 2019.