Rosie Burgin

Besides the inventory crisis affecting demand and external markets nipping at export market share, the Taiwanese bicycle industry has also been forced to look inwards at its manufacturing practices following an exposé report on migrant workers' conditions. Now, 15 months later, a new follow-up report has been published, specifically focused on the bicycle industry. It details how at least 10 manufacturers have adopted no-fee policies in 2025, but there is still a long way to go in transforming policy into practice.

A new industry congress, Towards Tomorrow - Cycling Industry Convention 2026, will launch on 5 November at WECC Berlin, bringing together stakeholders from across the German bicycle industry. The event is organised by German trade organisations ZIV, Zukunft Fahrrad and VSF (Verbund Service und Fahrrad) and marks the organisation's next step since departing from Eurobike.

2027 is already shaping up to be an interesting year on the bicycle industry tradeshow calendar as newcomers look to fill a void in Europe. One of those newcomers vying to offer a B2B platform for the bicycle industry supply chain is CycleExpo. OEM suppliers can now officially register for the first edition, which is scheduled to take place next year from 6 to 8 October in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Long praised as the next frontier in e-bike batteries, T&D has begun production of semi-solid-state batteries for e-motorcycles and e-bikes. Assembled on a semi-automatic production line in Suzhou, China, the company already has its first customers — the biggest being Giant. With its next-generation e-bike just launched, Giant is one of the first to successfully transition semi-solid-state battery technology from a laboratory concept to a commercial reality for the e-bike market.

You'd have to have been living under a rock to have missed the 'power-play' that Avinox has brought to the market in the last couple of years with its high-power motors. Until now, the motor manufacturer hadn't articulated its full stance on power and why it's pursuing maximum peak power with its systems. Today, it has pushed back on what it calls "misleading opinions" coming from within the industry.

Companies with a 100-year history in the bicycle industry are pretty hard to come by. Gazelle in the Netherlands, owned by Pon since 2011, is one such company. The company is so proud of its craftsmanship, which dates back to 1892, that a public walkway hangs over its factory in the Netherlands. This expertise extends across the entire chain, including its relationship with dealers, making it a leading brand in the Benelux. A heritage site with modern, state-of-the-art production — that's what Bike Europe found when it visited the Factory Floor at… Gazelle.

As China looks to cross the threshold from being 'big' to becoming 'strong,' China Cycle showed that that shift is already happening. Once a domestic event known for wacky products and cheap copies, 2026 marked a new evolution for the show as it looks to lead the global bicycle market. With a noticeable increase in the number of international visitors, many left wondering how long other nations will be able to compete with the nation's pace of innovation and manufacturing prowess.

Taiwan's bicycle industry signalled that it was entering a bold new era at this year's Taipei Cycle Show. Under the guidance of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Centre (CHC) unveiled a suite of R&D achievements, highlighting the strategic integration of Taiwan's bicycle manufacturing with advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT). A key feature was the Cycling Common Protocol Alliance (CCPA), launched to enhance system interoperability and strengthen collaboration across the bicycle and ICT industries.

Following approval by the antitrust authorities, BMZ has been cleared to make a fresh start under new ownership and management. The battery manufacturer is now fully in the hands of SKion GmbH and founder Sven Bauer has made way for a new CEO to steer the company as it looks to expand internationally.

Navee, best known in European and US markets for its premium e-scooters, has taken a significant step into the European e-bike market. An official launch event on 1 April in Munich, Germany, marked the Chinese mobility brand's "pedalling" debut in Europe, where it aims to compete, for the most part, in the mid-price segment with its speed-pedelec, e-bike and cargobike solutions. Bike Europe spoke to the company at the Taipei Cycle Show to find out more.