Rosie Burgin

OSAKA, Japan - High inventories in key markets continue to have a knock-on effect for Shimano, the company has reported today in its first half year figures. As a result, net sales in the company's bicycle segment decreased 20.7% in the first 6 months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. However sales in the key market of Europe reveal a turnaround.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Giant Group paid considerable attention to its ESG efforts on its booth at this year's Eurobike. One of the features was the Pre rCarbon push bike, the "r" signifying recycled versions of raw materials. Weighing around 2.4kg it is Giant's first ever complete bike application using its recycle long carbon fiber manufacturing technology.

ROOSENDAAL, The Netherlands - Timyo, the Dutch-based company that designed, developed and jointly manufactured e-bikes under its brands Van Dijck, Keola and Muon, has been declared bankrupt this week. The company had been struggling with issues for some time, including technical defects in e-bike components. However, continuation of the Van Dijck and Muon brands is already in place.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Belguim's Louyet Group has taken over the motor vehicle distribution business of Arnold Kontz Group. The latter has decided to go back to its roots and fully focus on the bicycle trade and soft mobility. "I feel that the time is right for us to withdraw from car distribution and concentrate once again on bicycles," explains managing director Benji Kontz.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - With 81,353 e-bike units imported into the EU-27 in the month of May, this almost matches the 83,000 units imported in the same period as last year, the latest Eurostat data shows. No doubt encouraging another sigh of relief for the bicycle market in Europe, e-bike imports per month have only continued to rise in 2024.

ULFT, The Netherlands - Lennart van Houwelingen has joined Hesling Bike Parts as international sales manager. With extensive experience in the international bicycle industry, including nearly nine years with Enviolo/NuVinci and five years with Bafang, he will focus on expanding the Dutch company's presence on the European market.

LOS ANGELES, US - "The bicycle industry can expect a gradual recovery with significant upside in the medium to long term, with 2026 and 2027 marking pivotal years for increased mergers and acquisitions and investment opportunities." This is the conclusion of a new report led by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey. In contrast to the current market conditions, the study indicates that another boom period for the industry is also possible before the end of the decade.

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Approximately 3,500 fatbikes have been seized by the Dutch authorities due to not meeting the legal requirements of an e-bike, but that of a moped. This requires a different type approval. Fatbikes, in some cases tampered with, have become immensely popular amongst younger riders in the Netherlands prompting calls for more law enforcement in the market.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A freezing order has been executed against an Italian company suspected of a major customs fraud involving the importation of e-bikes from China, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has announced. The company has been accused of evading more than €9.8 million in customs duties. This latest case raises questions about how complex it is to import e-bike components into the EU.

ANTWERP, Belgium - Drivetrain brand, Classified has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Dennis Weijers as chief commercial officer (CCO). Weijers joins Classified from Shimano Europe, where he served as director of marketing.