Jan-Willem van Schaik

BERINGEN, Belgium - The Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF), known as owner of the sports bike brands Ridley and Eddy Merckx, is diversifying into new bicycle categories. The company will also focus more on e-bikes. Therefore, for frame production BCF partnered with a nearby frame manufacturer.

MADRID, Spain - After two record-breaking years, the Spanish bicycle industry closed 2022 with a downward readjustment in sales and turnover, but very positive figures for employment and national production. Some 1.357 million bicycles were sold last year, 13.6% less than in 2021.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - To expand its reach on the saddle and grips market, DDK has entered into a distribution partnership with Oxo-Pro. "We already worked together very closely and this new partnership will only extend our value propositions and the ability to create higher quality products," says DDK's Global Marketing Director Joy Sung.

ANNECY, France - In line with its product portfolio the French manufacturer Mavic has developed a mid-motor targeted at the road bike market. According to Mavic, the product is fully engineered and ready for mass production. During a recent media event Mavic's promise was confirmed. However, the French family company lacks the resources to take the product to market.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has agreed on the final judgement of the General Court of the European Union and imposed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on e-bikes from China made by Giant Electric Vehicle (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. The Commission also decided to lower the duty from 24.6% to 13.8%.

LONDON, UK - Operating over 600 automotive servicing and repair centres across the UK, Kwik Fit is now diversifying into the bicycle sector through a strategic partnership with bike repair network, Fettle. The decision to enter this rapidly expanding market came after the success of the Dutch e-bike service concept introduced by Kwik Fit last year.

PARIS, France - To introduce V2X-enabled cyclists' protection technology Autotalks, Volkswagen, Bosch and Commsignia demonstrated how V2X can prevent one of the most common bike-vehicle collisions.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - The importance of e-bike precision component production becomes more important for hGears year after year. In its 2022 annual financial results, the company clearly states that the growth in the e-bike and e-mobility components market compensates for the loss in the automotive and e-tools business.

SCHWEINFURT, Germany - During a recent meeting of the Dutch standardisation committee and European stakeholders, the completion of a standard for cargo bikes was discussed. "A European standard would be helpful to standardise the legal patchwork that exists throughout Europe," explains velotech.de MD Marco Brust.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The long-term outlook for e-bike and bicycle sales are regarded by many as very positive, but on the short term the industry first will have to deal with the challenging market conditions in 2023. Despite all promising expectations these worries can't be neglected.