OSAKA, Japan - Component manufacturer Shimano points to "signs of recovery starting to appear in sales of completed bicycle sales" as it releases its first quarter consolidated financial results for 2025. In a welcome sign for the industry, the company reports a 15.6% increase in bicycle component sales in Q1, compared to the sluggish start of the year in 2024.

The AM2R project ('Agenda Mobilizadora para a Inovação Empresarial do Setor das Duas Rodas' - Mobilizing Agenda for Business Innovation in the Two-Wheel Sector) will have a significant presence at Eurobike 2025, demonstrating the growing capabilities of the Portuguese bicycle, e-bike, and soft mobility industry.

IRVINE, USA - E-car manufacturer Rivian announced it has spun out its micromobility business into a new company called Also Inc. Secured by a $105 million (€97 million) investment from Eclipse Ventures, Also will focus on small, lightweight vehicles including e-bikes.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -Recent figures from the Swedish industry association Cykelbranschen show that bicycle sales volumes have almost halved in the last 11 years, and the decline is ongoing. These market trends have been recently confirmed by some leading local bike retailers.

COLOGNE, Germany - Georg Honkomp's decision to step down as chairman of German ZEG, Europe's largest dealer cooperative, had a big impact on the whole organisation. But what else can be expected after he was on the board of directors for more than three decades? The Honkomp era is over as the new board announced a sweeping change of leadership in most of ZEG's subsidiaries.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Bringing together leading exhibitors from Indonesia, China, Singapore and Vietnam, this year's Asiabike Jakarta (ABJ) is set to accelerate the growth of the sustainable mobility industry with expanded exhibitions. The event is scheduled from 29 April to 4 May 2025, at JIExpo Kemayoran - a 12,000-square-foot expo space in the heart of the city.

Until recently, the world of bicycle locks was largely dominated by utilitarian designs that prioritized function over form. However, in the past decade, Leipzig-based manufacturer Texlock has been offering an alternative: a lightweight, flexible, stylish, and secure lock, crafted from high-tech fibers and steel.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - hGears AG faced a challenging 2024 fiscal year as declining demand and high inventory levels weighed on revenue and earnings. Despite the negative effects of 2024's economic slowdown and excess inventory struggles, hGears AG remains confident that its new cost and structural measures are having a positive effect.

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands - Dutch battery repair specialist Nowos has raised €6 million in new equity funding to accelerate its pan-European growth and push lithium-ion battery repair as a main component to developing a circular economy. The round's lead investor is Paris- and Singapore-based venture capital fund Shift4Good, with participation from Fair Capital Impact Fund and Goeie Grutten Impact Fund. An additional €3 million in debt financing is still being secured.

REDDITCH, England - Contrary to the general trend in the British retail market, Halfords UK reports an increase in bicycle sales in its 28 March trading update. The company's focus on its range of premium mechanical bikes that have a price tag of more than £1,000, as announced last year, turned out for the best.

SEYMOUR, Indiana - From Shark Tank winners to full-on manufacturers, Guardian Bikes has come a long way since its inception in 2013. The American kids' bike brand, with its patented SureStop braking system, has announced the launch of its new bicycle frame manufacturing operation at its existing assembly plant location in Seymour, Indiana.

REICHSHOF, Germany - Schwalbe owner Ralf Bohle GmbH and Pyrum Innovations AG have concluded a framework agreement for the long-term purchase of Pyrum's recovered carbon black (rcb). The agreement covers the purchase of rcb at a fixed price for the next 10 years.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - Porsche eBike Performance GmbH has brought two new leaders on board its management team to bolster the company's leadership body and shape the company's future. Denise Silva has been appointed as Director Product Definition and Thorsten Weppert as Director Corporate Quality.

SR Suntour has recently redesigned several of its manufacturing processes to enhance the precision of its suspension forks. "Our goal is to reduce friction, improve sensitivity, lower maintenance needs, extend service life, and offer a more refined suspension experience on the trail," says Fabio Sturaro, general manager at SR Suntour. Here's a closer look at what the company has been working on.

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands - Accell Group has officially announced Jonas Nilsson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Formerly the Chief Operating Officer for the European manufacturer, Nilsson has been making the shift into the role since January, after Tjeerd Jegen announced he would step down and join the Supervisory Board as Chair.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Industry leaders dare to speak out on future developments more openly now the main hurdle of the inventory crisis has been overcome. Giant Group Chairman Young Liu spoke directly to Bike Europe about his plans for production in Europe and his focal points for his first year in this position.

Tektro offers OEM manufacturers a portfolio of innovative braking systems that meet the requirements of models ranging from entry-level to high-performance. The structured product line allows for targeted selection of suitable solutions for different mountain bike categories and applications. The latest innovation in the range is the top model EVO Pro, which opens up new possibilities for individual brake customization thanks to an innovative pressure point adjustment (PAD — Pad Activation Dial).

MILAN, Italy - After two years of double-digit declines, the Italian bicycle market seems to have stabilised. In 2024, over 1.3 million units were sold, marking a modest -0.7% decrease compared to the previous years. This positive signal comes from Italy's trade association, Confindustria ANCMA, which recently unveiled its market figures.