Jan-Willem van Schaik

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The acceleration of the Green and Digital transition and increasing the European industry resilience are leading objectives for the European Union. These goals set by the European Commission have a direct link to the supply chain disruptions seen during the pandemic and its consequences in the long-term development of the bicycle industry in Europe.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The latest crowdfunding campaign will enable Cargoroo to increase the number of electric vehicles available on the platform in existing cities and further improve service. The minimum goal of €1 million needed for this expansion has been reached via One Planet Crowd.

MADRID, Spain - The added value of the output of Spain's bicycle industry is catching up rapidly. According to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce the value of bicycles manufactured in April in Spain rose by 37.8% year-on-year, reaching a total value of €23.3 million.

REUTLINGEN, Germany - The successful premiere of the Eurobike Investors Lounge at last year's show will be continued. Hosted by Eurobike, the Investors Lounge will provide a program primarily aimed at private equity investors and family offices interested in investing in companies in the bicycle industry.

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - The word has been spread around in the industry for some time that a new aluminium bicycle frame factory would open soon in Europe. Now, the family-owned industry company VDL Groep has officially announced the start of its fully automated production line in the Netherlands.

SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Baltik Vairas had been the single outpost of the bicycle industry in Lithuania and the other Baltic States for many years. Thanks to the modernisation of the company in the past decade it has now made the country one of the potential hot spots for the e-bike industry.

HOOFDDORP, the Netherlands - The ongoing supply chain challenges have impacted Accell Group's financial position to such an extent that the international credit rating agency Fitch has revised its outlook for the bicycle manufacturer from positive to negative.

ENNS, Austria - Market research by Eightpins shows the potential of telescopic or dropper seat posts for other bicycle categories besides MTBs. A quick lowering of the saddle enables the rider to stand securely with both feet on the ground. This increases safety and comfort because people can remain seated on the saddle while waiting for the green light. An equally interesting application of telescopic seat posts is for cargo bikes.

LONDON, UK - The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated a transition review this week into anti-dumping and countervailing measures on e-bikes imported in the United Kingdom from China. The TRA will determine whether dumping would be likely to continue or recur if the measures were no longer applied.

BENTONVILLE, USA - The largest volume seller in the US is investigating opportunities to find new suppliers for some of its product categories including bicycles, in India. Walmart has committed to triple its exports of goods from India to US$ 10 billion each year by 2027.