Rosie Burgin

OBERWANGEN, Switzerland - After 11 years at Stromer, co-CEO Tomi Viiala has decided to step back from the operational business and leave the company. The reason given is to "spend more time with his family, who live in Finland." Viiala will remain a shareholder of Stromer.

Nürtingen, Germany - The former company headquarters of Magura has moved into a brand-new facility of Magura Bosch Parts & Services (MBPS). Two years after the decision in favour of a new building was made, all MBPS departments have now moved into the one building.

MUNICH, Germany - With over 25,000 pre-owned and refurbished bikes listed on its platform, over 2,000 of which come from the US, the fast-growing startup Buycycle is on a mission to connect high-end bicycle buyers and sellers on a global scale. One of the founders of Buycycle, Theodor Golditchuk, spoke with Bike Europe about the company's rapid rise in the second-hand market.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has officially declared that Ouxi V8 fatbikes are considered an 'unauthorised' vehicle in the European Union. This means that anyone riding these vehicles is driving illegally and uninsured on the road. The China-made vehicles have risen in popularity in the Netherlands this year.

MADRID, Spain - Retail giant Decathlon and trade association AMBE have joined forces to promote the use of bicycles as a means of transport, leisure, tourism and sport. With this collaboration, the company and the association seek to develop common strategies that promote the use of bicycles and share market strategies.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Renowned Taiwanese bicycle component manufacturer Glory Wheel Enterprise Co., Ltd. (GW) has acquired the bicycle accessory brands, Spank Industries and Fratelli Industries. Through the acquisition the Taiwanese aims to reinforce its position in the high-end bicycle components market. Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - The Public Prosecution Service in the Netherlands has decided to discontinue its criminal investigation into cargobike manufacturer Babboe B.V. The company was suspected of producing and marketing certain types of (electric) cargo bikes that allegedly had safety issues.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Europe Cycle Company B.V. (ECC), the manufacturer of Vogue cargo bikes, must immediately stop the sale of all its cargo bikes, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has determined. The company must also recall cargo bikes that pose a serious safety risk.

SUZHOU, China - The Z series launched by Vinka at this year's Eurobike is a new generation mid-motor system. The newest model in the series, the Z60, unlike previous products in the S, C, V and E lines, is compatible to fix to a Bosch bottom bracket. Besides the latest innovations, the motor manufacturer is also eyeing a move to close-to-market production.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Overall e-bike exports from Taiwan grew 5% between Q1 and Q2 of this year, according to the latest customs data. However, exports to Europe in the same period dropped 5%. More worryingly the trend looks set to continue as key markets in Europe see imports plummet in July.