Rosie Burgin

ITTIGEN/BERN, Switzerland - The World Federation Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is conducting a series of surveys to better understand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sporting goods business.  "The results of our May pulse survey show that COVID-19 is, as expected, having a sustained negative impact on our industry," comments WFSGI President & CEO, Robbert de Kock. But the results also revealed some positives.

HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - Accell Group has reported that bike sales rebounded in May after weak March and April sales as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. In parallel, the company has arranged an additional credit facility as a

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The number of EU member states that allows an e-scooter on the roads is on the rise. With that, the availability of e-scooters with a saddle is also growing. "However, those vehicles are ticking time bombs since they are completely illegal if non type-approved," stated LEVA-EU this week, who is now calling on the European Commission to fill the legislative gaps.

台灣，台北－自從部分國家開始鬆綁疫情封鎖政策之後，台灣自行車製造商在海外市場的銷售便見起色。Giant和Merida皆宣佈銷售成長，Giant表示等待許久的匈牙利廠順應需求將於近期開始生產。

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - Eurobike 2020, with its later 24-26 November date re-scheduled due to Corona is adjusting its concept. This year's edition is being adapted to a business lounge concept for spec meetings with a particular focus on OEM, parts and components. The organisers also expect to have a more regional focus.

GENEVA, Switzerland - The World Bicycle Industry Association (WBIA) has been invited to participate in a new taskforce which is a joint body of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) to develop 'Principles of Green and Healthy Sustainable Transport'.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - E-scooter rental company, Voi, is preparing itself for launch in the UK market this summer when e-scooters become legal. Current legislation in the UK allows people to buy an e-scooter but you can't ride it on a public road, cycle lane or pavement. Voi has now hired the tech company executive who was responsible for leading efforts with the UK government to legalise e-scooters to lead its growth in the UK, Ireland and Benelux countries.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwanese bicycle manufacturers are reporting a rebound in sales in overseas markets since some countries began easing their COVID-19 lockdown measures. Giant and Merida have both announced increased sales, with the former announcing that the long-awaited plant in Hungary will soon open to help meet demand.

BUSSUM, the Netherlands - Dutch bicycle developer, Peter Ariese, has unexpectedly passed away in his residence in Bussum, Netherlands on May 25th 2020. During the last three decades Peter held various positions in the bike industry. He was considered to be the founding father of the electric SpartaMet. Having started the design and development of electric bicycles at Sparta, a pioneer of the European e-bike market, he stood at the cradle of today's new E-bike landscape.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Last week European cycling associations marked an important breakthrough for cycling on the EU agenda as an equal mode of transport with the auto sector and public transport. At a press conference the Executive Vice President of the Commission, Frans Timmermans, announced that cycling can be funded as part of new mobility money that will be released by the EU.