Rosie Burgin

VILLORBA, Italy - Cicli Pinarello is opening a new subsidiary in Shanghai to directly manage its operations in the growing Chinese market. Pinarello China Ltd will be the group's fifth directly managed subsidiary, joining existing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and South Africa.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Eurobike marked the fourth edition of the Women in Cycling breakfast. Growing from humble beginnings with a few participants to a raucous reception for this year's speakers. This is no longer a simple networking event to bind a minority group together, but a movement looking to evolve the face of the industry. Data is now at the forefront as initiatives focus on, amongst other things, closing the gender equity pay gap. The number of new national women-driven networks being launched this year alone, shows that the momentum is not just growing, it's becoming unstoppable.

SUZHOU, China - Semi solid-state batteries are lightweight, fast-charging and offer enhanced safety giving them the potential to be a game-changer for the e-bike industry. At least this is the vision of Chinese manufacturer T&D who is developing a semi-solid state e-bike battery which provides 830Wh at only 3.2kg. Small-scale production is expected to commence this year.

LYON, France - Folding e-bike manufacturer Eovolt has its sights set on being more than just that. To support further internationalisation and entry into other non-electric categories, the French manufacturer is rebranding to UTO. "It is a new name to symbolise the brand we have become over the years," CEO Baptiste Fullen told Bike Europe during Eurobike.

VELKE ORVIŠTĚ, Slovakia - Bicycle brand Kellys and battery manufacturer BMZ are reportedly working on a European-assembled e-bike battery with a higher energy density than the latest DJI Avinox or Bosch Powertube 800. Looking to outpace rivals, the goal is reportedly to create the world's lightest e-bike battery with a capacity above 800 Wh.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Chinese e-bikes have once again been implemented in a customs fraud case involving the evasion of duties when importing products into the EU market. Under the code-name Calypso, a complex scheme was exposed which led to raids across several EU member states. The total damage of the activities under investigation is estimated at approximately €700 million, although it is unclear how much of this is directly attributed to e-bike fraud.

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Shimano Europe has launched Nextgen Mechanics, a new call for evidence aimed at tackling the growing shortage of skilled bicycle mechanics across Europe. The collaborative initiative with Cycling Industries Europe aims to bring in a broad alliance of stakeholders committed to strengthening the profession, raising standards, and inspiring the next generation of cycle mechanics.

PARIS, France - Upway, the online platform for reconditioned electric bikes, has launched a strategic partnership with the Spanish bike brand Orbea to give e-bikes a second life and support the sales of new e-bikes at the same time. In a move to strengthen the circular economy of e-bikes by including established industry players, a trade-in program is now live at Orbea retailers across several European countries.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) have signed a Letter of Intent to advance the merger of the two associations. Delivered as a milestone for the European bicycle industry, "this step reflects a shared vision to amplify the voice of the European cycling industry to lead the continent's mobility and industrial transformation," it was announced.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - For the first 4 months of the year, Taiwanese customs data showed that the country's bicycle industry was showing the first signs of recovery after years of global market stagnation. Both e-bike and component exports rose in the first quarter of 2025, driven by increasing demand for high-value products and improved average unit prices. However, preliminary export data for May shows that this growth has not been sustained.