Jan-Willem van Schaik

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Folding bikes specialist Ahooga raised multimillion funds to support the development and engineering of its next generation compact e-bikes. Ahooga also want to invest in production nearby its headoffice in Brussels, "to reduce dependency of external parties which can be cumbersome when supply chains get tight."

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The European bicycle market ended up in the inevitable correction phase after the corona related sales boom. It goes without saying that this situation was expected, the question was only, when? While 2022 sales are lower than 2021 throughout the Europe's main markets, the e-bike continues to drive the market. What's happening?

ENNEPETAL, Germany - Simon C. Smith joined Alfred Thun GmbH in the field of International Sales and Business Development. He will focus on international sales of existing and new drivetrain components for bicycles and e-bikes.

OSAKA, Japan - The forecasted slowdown in bicycle component sales for Shimano was less strong than expected. For the first quarter of 2023 the Japanese manufacturer reports a net sales decrease of 12.5% from the same period of the previous year to JPY 126,071 million (€ 856 million).

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.