Jo Beckendorff

DRESDEN, Germany -The Riverside Company has planned an IPO for one of Europe's leading cycling, outdoor, fitness and swimming products webshop Bike24 this year. According to a company statement they, "aim to accelerate growth and finance future business development." Prior to the IPO, The Riverside Company will issue a private placement.

GEDERSDORF, Austria - Following an initial sales success Austrian motorcycle and ATV giant, KSR Group, will now roll out Malaguti Bicycles through the dealer network of the German bicycle buyers group, Bico. To further capitalise on the momentum after this year's launch, KSR Group has also strengthened the Malaguti Bicycles sales team.

VIENNA, Austria - Pon Holding's investment company Ponooc has stepped into Austrian bike route supplier Bikemap. The undisclosed 7-figure investment will be used for further growth of the app, including product development and scaling of the team.

STUTTGART, Germany - The booming bicycle and e-bike market attracts more and more investors. Asset manager and index allocator Daubenthaler has introduced a 'bicycle share index'. The initial listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is planned for 21 June but is already open for investors since 25 May.

MÜHLHAUSEN, Germany - Following a successful investor search, the German niche bicycle supplier Möve Bikes GmbH, is being taken over by Heristo Holding, a family-run group of companies from the German food industry.

TORRE DE' ROVERI, Italy - Bicycle production machinery and service suppliers Mair Srl and Bike Machinery Srl have stepped up their cooperation. According to both companies, Mair acquired Bike Machinery for an undisclosed amount and will gradually integrate it in its existing organisation. This process should be finalised by the end of this year.

KAOHSIUNG CITY, Taiwan - Taiwan's motorised two-wheeler giant Kwang Yang Motor Corporation, known as Kymco, has heralded an e-offensive: the e-motor scooter line previously offered under the brand name Ionex is to be spun off, at least in its home country, and expanded as an independent brand with a complete range of products from e-motor scooters to e-superbikes. Could this pose a threat to booming e-bike sales?

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Strong global market demand for e-bikes and bicycles continued in the first quarter of this year. Taiwan's largest producer Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd. reports record sales and net profit for the first sales quarter of 2021. Also, Merida Industry Co., Ltd. benefits from high demand for e-bikes.

VIENNA, Austria - E-bike and bicycle sales volumes in Austria had leveled off at around 400,000 units in the past 10 years. In 2020 the market situation changed drastically and this was by no means solely due to COVID-19. For the first time the market came close to the 500,000 unit threshold.

OBERHACHING, Germany - SQLab GmbH, a specialist known for its ergonomic bicycle products has been acquired by Boards & More GmbH, owner of the bike wear and accessory brand Ion, for an unspecified amount. Both companies plan to now jointly develop and distribute further innovative products for the bicycle market.