Jan-Willem van Schaik

BRUSSELS, Belgium - For the first time, the total value of e-bikes imported into the European Union exceed €0.5 billion between January and July this year. Contrary to all outlooks and forecasts the market performance of the high-end segment was very good.

BERLIN, Germany - The latest report on the financially troubled Signa Sports United are overshadowed by the even bigger issues at its largest shareholder, Signa International Sports Holding GmbH. It is clear that not only the problems as generally reported in the cycling industry have put Signa Sports's future on the edge.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodian bicycle manufacturers are being hit hard by the decline in demand on the global market. The double digit decrease in export value announced earlier this year is only growing bigger.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The bicycle industry lobby concluded a successful period in Brussels with the publication of the European Cycling Declaration by the European Commission last week. Cycling has never been that high on the political agenda. What's next?

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A fatal accident with an e-bike in Belgium years ago started a dispute about the legal classification of the electric bicycle. Should it be regarded as a 'vehicle' and be covered by a mandatory insurance like other vehicles? Finally, the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that e-bikes are not covered by this obligation because e-bikes are not propelled exclusively by mechanical power.

PEETRI, Estonia - Within two years listed cargo bike manufacturer Hagen Bikes company is heading to the stock market again for new capital. Hagen's shares are tradable in the multilateral trading system First North, and the company Hagen submitted a request to Nasdaq Tallinn AS to also admit all new shares issued during the offering to trading in the multilateral trading system.

TALLINN, Estonia - The demand for anti-theft solutions and services in micromobility is increasing. More than 60% of e-bike riders will opt for an e-bike with smart features for their next purchase. This was one of the outcomes of a survey by the Spiegel Institute and commissioned by Comodule.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - In the first half of this year, bicycle sales took place at a normal gross margin on average in the Netherlands. At the same time Dutch retailers are struggling with sky high inventory levels. This was reported by H&L Accountants from its hundreds of IBD customers in the Netherlands.

MARCLOPT, France - Mach1 has taken-over Red-Motion, the innovative French company behind the Baramind shock-absorbing handlebars. "This acquisition is in line with our strategy to diversify our product portfolio and strengthen our position as the supplier of choice for OEMs," writes Mach1 in a statement.

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - The current difficult market situation in the entire bicycle industry, including a post-pandemic market correction, is also affecting the ZEG owned Swiss e-bike manufacturer Flyer AG. To secure the future of the company and maintain production at its Swiss location, an extensive restructuring program has been drawn up.