Rosie Burgin

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Investments are continuing from other sectors looking for a foothold in the booming bike business. Most recently, Italian mobility giant, the Agnelli family has invested in a Belgian e-bike start-up and associates from Mini Cooper and Adidas have partnered in a London-based bicycle subscription program.

MILAN, Italy - Pirelli has launched a new tubeless tyre dedicated to maximum performance and professional competitions. It will spearhead its range of tyres dedicated to road racing bikes. Two models are available: the all-around TLR and the SL version. Developed with the teams of the current female and male road racing world champions, the new tubeless tyres will be immediately available on the market.

HANOVER, Germany  - Continental's Urban Taraxagum bicycle tyre made from dandelion rubber has been recognised with two awards. The Red Dot Design award was awarded for the design of the tread of the tyre, which is based on the cell shape of the dandelion and Focus E-Bike has commended the sustainability of rubber extraction from dandelions.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - "The European Commission cannot continue to ignore a key barrier to growth for the LEV market," says trade association, LEVA-EU, following the decision to carry out another study into LEVs. The association is calling for the commission to "match green transport rhetoric with action on LEVs" in regards to legislation which limits the sector.

TALLINN, Estonia - European transportation platform, Bolt, is launching its first electric bike-sharing service. The service is being rolled out in Paris, with plans to expand to more European capitals this year. Bolt, which was founded in 2013, is now offering electric bikes, scooters, and ride-hailing under a single brand in one app.

BERLIN, Germany - The EU-funded CityChangerCargoBike project has released key results of the first European Cargo Bike Industry Survey. 38 cargo bike brands contributed data anonymously, revealing many positives for Europe's cargo bike industry including an expected market growth of 53% in 2020.

MADRID, Spain - Shimano Europe is setting up its own business operation in Spain for cycling components, cycling gear and fishing tackle, ending the exclusive distribution agreement with Macario Llorente. The operation will be named Shimano Iberia S.L.

BOULDER, United States - Tim Blumenthal, president of US organisation, PeopleForBikes is retiring after 16 years at the helm. Having spent the last four decades working in the bike industry he will hand over the reins to Jenn Dice, the organisation's current COO as of July 1, 2020.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwanese bike manufacturer, Merida, increased its bike shipments in May by 25.31% as the consumer interest in bicycles grows in countries coming out of corona-lockdowns.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group has announced the appointment of Thierry Cornec as Regional Director South Europe, effective July 16th, 2020. He will be in charge of the operations in the region which includes France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.