Jan-Willem van Schaik

FRANKFURT, Germany - DJI was one of the biggest newcomers on the e-bike market last year creating a lot of rumor during the tradeshows. What makes the e-bike market so interesting for this leading manufacturer of drones which generates a multi-billion revenue? The introduction into the e-bike market was put in the hands of drone pilot and DJI Product Experience Director Ferdinand Wolf.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Following allegations by LeMonde Diplomatique about indicators of forced labour according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the Taiwanese bicycle industry, the trade association Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) felt the urge to respond. "Taiwan as the crucial global supply chain has the responsibility to do things right in every aspect and we appreciate your effort in providing us the guidance and advice regarding the foreign labour issues," the TBA told Bike Europe.

OSLO, Norway - The innovative software of BikeFolder might potentially create so much relevant data for the industry, that Shimano Nordic announced a partnership with the start-up in the Nordic region. BikeFolder offers a solution for bicycle manufacturers that gives them insights into where their products go once they leave the factory and what happens during their lifecycle.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The reaction to the EU's recent decision to extend the anti-dumping and countervailing measures against imports e-bike from China doesn't come near the heavy discussions six years ago when the measures were implemented for the first time. For that reason, LEVA-EU now draws attention to the cheap and non-compliant e-bike from China and the complex exemption processes for 'made in China' e-bike components.

VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Darfon, announced the appointment of René Timmermans as European-based director of OEM/ODM, effective immediately. In this role, René will be responsible for the management of all commercial matters involving Darfon Energy, Astro Tech and Kenstone, bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership experience to the team.

MADRID, Spain - Two Rotor Bike Component founders have launched a new performance cycling brand. Pablo Carrasco and Ignacio Estelles merged their vision and manufacturing expertise carbon manufacturer YMA to develop bicycle components. QO's first product line is a series of carbon fiber cranksets on display at Velofollies earlier this month.

KORTRIJK, Belgium - Is Belgium the 'most promising market' amidst the other European markets where companies are struggling with financial burdens and slow demand? "2024 has not been a crisis year for the bicycle industry," said Paul Glorieux, secretary general of the Belgium industry association Traxio-Velo at the presentation of the 2024 market statistics.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission announced this morning to maintain the anti-dumping as well as countervailing duties on e-bikes imported from China for another 5 years. The Commission has opted for the imposition of per company targeted dumping duties. The dumping duties vary from 9.9% for Giant Electric Vehicle up to 70.1% for a group of non-cooperative companies.

KORTRIJK, Belgium - The Velofollies is known as the trade and consumer show which kicks-off the season, often in a positive mood. Whether this is realistic at the moment is a big question, given the problems in the industry. The great enthusiasm of almost 40,000 visitors ensured that the exhibitors dared to be cautiously positive about the 2025 market again.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In an attempt to improve the financial situation, bicycle manufacturers massively tried to lower their inventory levels even when it came with huge discounting. Giant Group managed to mitigate its decline in turnover to 7.4% as the company's 2024 monthly revenue report shows. This is compared with a decrease of 16.4% in 2023.