Jo Beckendorff

BERLIN, Germany - Describing its business model as a "full-service mobility solution for delivery services and couriers," Berlin-based startup Cycle Mobility Holding GmbH has successfully finalised a Series A financial round. The total €10.3 million cash injection is planned to drive the company's e-bike B2B2C- as well as B2B- business fleet and subscription business.

FRANKFURT, Germany - One of the world's major motorcycle accessories suppliers SW-Mototech debuted its own cargobike during this year's Eurobike. The Via 1 will be fully assembled in Rauschenberg, Germany and should be available from spring 2024.

KASHIWARA CITY, Japan - The cooperation with former Flyer maker Biketec in Switzerland gave e-bike drivetrain pioneer Panasonic Cycle Technology Co., Ltd. (PCT) an early presence on the European market. Bike Europe got a unique insight into the PCT headoffice and factory near Osaka. Why were the Japanese not so successful in Europe with their extremely reliable drivetrain during the e-bike boom?

KUFSTEIN, Austria - E-mobility service provider Greenstorm has filed for insolvency. With investor talks failing and the sales concept not covering costs, there will be no reorganization of the company due to a non-functioning business model. "A closure of the company will take place soon after the opening of insolvency proceedings," the insolvency consultant has declared.

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - Lightweight product maker Carbovation GmbH has acquired German lightweight component specialist Tune GmbH. No details of the purchase price have been disclosed.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Porsche AG bundled its e-bike drivetrain activities under the umbrella of Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, which it founded in 2022. This includes the recently acquired brands Greyp and Fazua. The latter is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, which is why the Eurobike presentation in Frankfurt was all about the lightweight e-MTB pioneer. However, the e-bike ambitions of the German company go beyond this. What can we expect from Porsche in the coming years?

BERLIN, Germany - Bicycle, outdoor and team sports e-commerce vendor Signa Sports United reports a year-on-year 23.5% sales-drop down to €195 million in the second quarter of 2022/2023, which ended on March 31, 2023. The WiggleCRC, Bikester, Fahrrad.de and Probikeshop owner was still able to cope with the loss thanks to better results in the first sales quarter of fiscal year 2022/2023.

JINAČOVICE, Czech Republic - The distribution of Pon's premium US bicycle brands Cannondale and GT Bicycles in Central- and Eastern-Europe has been taken up by Aspire Sports S.R.O. "The partnership with Aspire Sports will allow us to leverage the Czechs' expertise in this part of Europe to increase the presence of the brands and expand into new territories," emphasises Cannondale and GT Vice President of Int'l Distributor Sales & Marketing Seth Brosnan.

MUNICH, Germany - The German branch of retail giant Sport 2000 GmbH announced that it integrate the product category bicycles more prominently in its outdoor offering. The concept will be offered to retailers in the five countries where Sport 2000 GmbH operates: Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In its first sales quarter of 2023 Taiwan's third-largest bicycle producer Ideal Bike Corporation brought in total sales of TWD 1.11 billion (€33.46 million). This is a slight decrease of 1.8%, compared to the first three months of last year. However, losses were also incurred on these sales.