Jo Beckendorff

MUNICH, Germany - Unlike many other industries, the cycling industry enjoyed a major boost in the Covid-19 year of 2020 - a development that continued into 2021. In the first quarter of this year, when many countries returned to lockdown

TOKYO, Japan - Despite growth trends seen in many other countries in 2020, Japan's bicycle market moved in the opposite direction. While the Corona-19 pandemic in Europe and North America gave demand for individual bicycle and e-bike mobility a hefty boost, that effect has completely bypassed Japan.

LAS VEGAS, USA - More and more suppliers in the e-two-wheeler industry have exhibited at the leading Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in recent years. Therefore, the organiser, Consumer Technology Association, announced a dedicated e-bikes and e-

VARESE, Italy - The traditional Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. is entering the highly dynamic market for electric bicycles. As part of the planned brand extension the first e-bikes are now rolling into the market. E-scooters should follow very soon.

BAD URACH, Germany - Michael Funk has joined the management board of German brake expert, Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG (Magura Group), effective 1 June. In his new role as CEO, the 47-year-old is responsible for the entire Magura Group.

SAKAI CITY, Japan - Asian financial news services have announced a multi-million-euro investment scheme by Shimano Inc. The Japanese bicycle component supplier will expand both existing factories and build a new one.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - On 23 June, Taiwan's e-motor scooter pioneer Gogoro Inc. and electronics giant Hon Hai Technology Co, Ltd., better known as Foxconn, signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic technology and manufacturing partnership.

DRESDEN, Germany - To reach their ambitious expansion strategy for their brick and mortar bicycle chain store in Germany, Little John Bikes MD René Schramm and Robert Peschke brought private equity firm Borromin Capital Management GmbH on board.

KARLSTEIN, Germany - Another supplier close to the e-bike industry seems to be preparing to go public. German financial newspapers reported that the Karlstein, Germany-based battery expert BMZ Germany GmbH is planning an IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

STUTTGART, Germany - One of Europe's leading bicycle and outdoor e-commerce company's Internetstores Holding GmbH (owned by Signa Sports) is expanding its German online store sales portfolio with cargo bikes with their platform Fahrrad.de. Additional storage and an assembly and delivery hall will support the move. When successful, Internetstores might also start offering cargo bikes on their international platforms.