Jan-Willem van Schaik

An iconic bicycle brand is set to disappear from the Dutch market. Accell Group has decided to integrate Sparta into Batavus as part of the One Accell strategy. This is a major step, as it was Sparta that paved the way for the e-bike market in the Netherlands and, with that, in Europe. "All knowledge and experience regarding Sparta e-bikes will be integrated into Batavus," emphasised Accell CEO Jonas Nilsson ahead of the Accell European dealer show.

The opening of Eurobike comes at a pivotal moment. The industry is still trying to find a new balance between price fluctuations and a stable supply. In both procurement and retail, brands are facing high price volatility. In many boardrooms, future strategies are being discussed. Time is ticking as the industry's character is changing rapidly.

The announcement of the new trade show by the German industry association ZIV leaves companies facing a choice between exhibiting at Eurobike or the new event called 'towards tomorrow - European Bike Show'. The ZIV show will take place in Cologne and is scheduled from 6 to 8 September 2027. Eurobike 2027 is scheduled for 1 to 3 September.

The highly volatile market posed a big challenge for the bicycle industry in recent years. More stability would have created room to start building on a new growth path. It appears that the market will be stable in 2026, thereby bringing the necessary calm for future recovery. "The market is steadily returning to a more normalised environment as inventory adjustments near completion," said Giant Chairman Young Liu at the annual meeting of shareholders.

The demise of Porsche eBike Performance came at a significant moment for the e-bike drive system market. The company was founded in 2022 by Porsche AG and the Pon investment vehicle Ponooc. After they entered the sector in 2022 through the acquisition of Fazua, Porsche communicated it would likely present its drivetrains in 2026. That never happened.

On the question of when Bosch would introduce an e-bike hub motor, Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer always consistently stated that this was not part of their product philosophy. However, the market is changing, which has made Bosch decide to expand into an all-new category for them: the stylish urban e-bikes.

The market has finally reached a renewed level of stability. Despite global economic uncertainty and disruptions in recent months, overall confidence remains stable to moderately positive, as shown by the latest Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI). Following several years of exceptional volatility, the industry can once again look ahead with greater confidence and focus on sustainable growth and future development.

The aftermath of the COVID bubble, which hit the bicycle industry hard, also impacted Accell Group substantially. When Jonas Nilsson joined Accell Group as COO in July 2023, the company was perceived as being in a critical state. In January 2025, Nilsson took over as CEO and initiated the One Accell Strategy. In an exclusive interview with Bike Europe, he explains where the Accell Group is on the strategy timeline and what the market can expect from this once industry-leading company.

Cycling Sports Group Europe, part of Pon.Bike, has announced the closure of the Cannondale facility in Almelo, the Netherlands. The production of the Cannondale bikes will be relocated to Germany and Lithuania. 'Almelo' no longer fits in Pon.Bike's multi-brand strategy, which includes a flexible production network.

The Eurobike announcement to move its dates back to September from 2027 turned the international show calendar upside down again. September has always been very busy with industry events, so Eurobike's decision has prompted many show organisers to reconsider their 2027 dates. The Taiwanese industry was the first to respond, rescheduling the Taichung Bike Week to October.