Jan-Willem van Schaik

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.

ENNEPETAL, Germany - The initiation of several industry initiatives during 'Sustainability Day' at Eurobike raised a lot of attention for the topic. Alexander Thun, chairperson of the CIE and CONEBI sustainability expert group gives an update on the industry initiatives.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Massive investments in battery production supported by state aid from the Chinese government could eventually lead to the initiation of trade defence measures, including anti-dumping duties, by the European Commission. It may sound contradictory now the market for e-bikes and e-car is rising so quickly, but battery production grows so rapidly that this could become a serious problem in the medium term.

XI'AN, China - In close collaboration with metal additive manufacturing solution provider Bright Laser Technologies (BLT), frame and bicycle manufacturer Titan Super Bond has successfully printed a titanium alloy fork. The project opens up new possibilities for Chinese OEMs, expects Titan Super Bond.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Sustainability was never a leading topic on the political agenda in Taiwan until late 2022. The country's isolated position in international organisations made sustainability an underrated issue. This situation changed quickly, and the bicycle industry picked up the topic and formed the Bicycling Alliance for Sustainability (BAS). What happened in the first year after the foundation?

MALMÖ, Sweden - Possibly the most remarkable and inventive cycling accessory, the Hövding is no longer on the market. The Swedish Hövding AB filed for bankruptcy last month after regulators stopped the sales of its main product. According to the Swedish Consumer Agency the airbag helmet doesn't inflate properly on impact.

SUZHOU, China - The rapidly growing e-bike market stood at the base of Phylion Battery's success in the past 20 years. Since its foundation in 2003, it has become one of the main suppliers of e-bike batteries. At the 20th anniversary celebration, the company announced the start of an all-new activity.

SCHIPHOL, the Netherlands - The former Yamaha Europe Vice-President, Olivier Prévost succeeds Eric de Seynes as President and CEO of Yamaha Europe as of 1 January. Eric de Seynes joins the company's Supervisory Board as Chairman.