Jan-Willem van Schaik

TAIPEI, Taiwan - At the Taipei Cycle 2022 kick-off event yesterday in Taipei, the winners of the annual design and innovations awards were revealed. A total of 33 entries were awarded of which 4 in the category 'e-bikes and drive units'. The six Gold Awards will be unveiled on the first day of Taipei International Cycle Show on 9 March 2022.

ANADIA, Portugal - An all-new e-bike production facility with a capacity of up to 50,000 units annually, has started production in Portugal. Based in the middle of the Portugal Bike Value, Bikap presents itself as 'carbon neutral' factory.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has decided to classify e-bikes powered via a generator and not driven via a chain as regular 25 km/h and 250W e-bikes excluded from Regulation 168/2013 following Article 2.2(h). Until now for these bikes type-approval in the L-category was required. This proved to be a legal bottleneck for technological development and successful market introductions.

CHICAGO, USA - Not for the first time, it is hinted that components manufacturer SRAM has developed an e-bike drive system. The American's have a sort of love-hate relationship with electric drive systems. After each attempt to enter the market, they went back to their roots. However, the rapidly growing e-MTB market in the US has changed this situation drastically.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The relocation of the biggest industry show from Friedrichshafen to Frankfurt am Main will bring major changes to the event. What will it look like after so many years at Messe Friedrichshafen? Eurobike show manager Stefan Reisinger and his team gave an inside look.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Pon Holdings has announced that Peter Woods is step down as President and CEO of the recently acquired Dorel Sports. The decision is in mutual agreement and effectively immediately.

MUNICH, Germany - Automotive manufacturer Porsche has made a next step into the e-bike industry. The Bavarian company secured a 20% minority share in compact e-bike drive train manufacturer Fazua. Via a new strategic partnership, Pon Holding's investment company Poonoc is involved in this investment.

OSAKA, Japan - Increased production capacities in factories in Japan in combination with a booming cycling market, made 2021 a best-ever year for Shimano in both turn-over and profit. Shimano also notes that the economic outlook for 2022 and the electronic components shortages might impact the industry.

KOPRIVNICE, Czech Republic - Shimano components for the production of 10,000 bicycles have been stolen during transport from Germany to Czech-based manufacturer Bike Fun International. The truck driver was sent to sleep by gas in a parking lot whilst the important Shimano parts were stolen.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Micro fuel cell company myFC has signed an agreement for the development and integration of their technology in e-bikes with a global leader in bicycle and e-bike systems from Japan. myFC is not willing to disclose the name of their partner.