In the first quarter of 2026, the average turnover of Dutch retailers in the H&L Benchmark group increased by 1.6% compared with the same period last year. At the same time, costs rose by an average of 1.4% during the quarter. Partly as a result, profitability in the first quarter of 2026 declined by 0.5 percentage points compared with the previous year, according to the H&L Benchmark.

The disruptive developments in the industry trade show landscape are the culmination of the difficulties the sector has been facing for some time. The opening day of Eurobike 2026 only confirmed the industry's current fragmentation of former, long-existing structures. Who is really going to support this industry in going forward, defend its interests, and facilitate its international gatherings?

Eurobike 2026 will provide the stage for a new partnership in the European e-bike industry. German bicycle manufacturer Raymon Bicycles and Italian drive system specialist OLI eBike Systems introduce a new generation of e-bikes powered by OLI's PICO mid-drive motor.

An iconic bicycle brand is set to disappear from the Dutch market. Accell Group has decided to integrate Sparta into Batavus as part of the One Accell strategy. This is a major step, as it was Sparta that paved the way for the e-bike market in the Netherlands and, with that, in Europe. "All knowledge and experience regarding Sparta e-bikes will be integrated into Batavus," emphasised Accell CEO Jonas Nilsson ahead of the Accell European dealer show.

Innovation, networking and the international bike community come together at Eurobike 2026, where the industry's leading minds, brands and trends converge in Frankfurt.

The opening of Eurobike comes at a pivotal moment. The industry is still trying to find a new balance between price fluctuations and a stable supply. In both procurement and retail, brands are facing high price volatility. In many boardrooms, future strategies are being discussed. Time is ticking as the industry's character is changing rapidly.

The announcement of the new trade show by the German industry association ZIV leaves companies facing a choice between exhibiting at Eurobike or the new event called 'towards tomorrow - European Bike Show'. The ZIV show will take place in Cologne and is scheduled from 6 to 8 September 2027. Eurobike 2027 is scheduled for 1 to 3 September.

Hand builders are caught between two demands: the craft of building by feel, and the measurable, repeatable quality customers now expect. What if one machine could deliver both, keep build data in the builder's own hands, and make each wheel faster to true? With a new family of truing machines, Holland Mechanics aims to do just that.

The highly volatile market posed a big challenge for the bicycle industry in recent years. More stability would have created room to start building on a new growth path. It appears that the market will be stable in 2026, thereby bringing the necessary calm for future recovery. "The market is steadily returning to a more normalised environment as inventory adjustments near completion," said Giant Chairman Young Liu at the annual meeting of shareholders.

Modern e-bikes are evolving faster than ever. As new motor systems deliver higher torque and performance, bike brands (OEMs) and dealers need components engineered for higher loads, reliable integration, and clear product differentiation. The FSA e-bike kit addresses these needs with a dedicated package of crankarms, chainrings, and wheels developed for the latest generation of electric mountain bike platforms.

The demise of Porsche eBike Performance came at a significant moment for the e-bike drive system market. The company was founded in 2022 by Porsche AG and the Pon investment vehicle Ponooc. After they entered the sector in 2022 through the acquisition of Fazua, Porsche communicated it would likely present its drivetrains in 2026. That never happened.

Taiwan's major bicycle manufacturers — Giant, Merida and Ideal — all reported year-on-year revenue growth in May. The figures from the publicly listed companies are the strongest indication so far this year that the headwinds Taiwan's bicycle industry has been facing may be easing.

Hub filling and lacing have always been two separate jobs, handled in two places, often by two sets of hands. That split shapes every wheel factory in the world. A working prototype shown at Eurobike 2026 collapses the two into a single process, and points toward a wheelbuilding line that runs without an operator.

The tables are turning in favour of China as consumer budgets tighten, Taiwan's orders dwindle, and tariffs shift the goalposts of international trade. As a result, China accounted for 47%, almost half, of all e-bike imports into the European Union in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest Eurostat data. This compares with 31% in Q1 2025 and just 17% in Q1 2024. Is this the result of a temporary glut in the e-bike market, or does it signal a more structural shift?

On the question of when Bosch would introduce an e-bike hub motor, Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer always consistently stated that this was not part of their product philosophy. However, the market is changing, which has made Bosch decide to expand into an all-new category for them: the stylish urban e-bikes.

The market has finally reached a renewed level of stability. Despite global economic uncertainty and disruptions in recent months, overall confidence remains stable to moderately positive, as shown by the latest Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI). Following several years of exceptional volatility, the industry can once again look ahead with greater confidence and focus on sustainable growth and future development.

Japanese component manufacturer Shimano has announced organisational and personnel changes within its bicycle components division. Effective 1 July, the division will have a new Head of Bicycle Components, Yuzo Shimano, to steer the company's new vision.

Imagine a hub that shifts by itself. No gear cables, no display, no instructions needed for the rider. The A2 is an automatic two-speed hub that decides when to shift based on wheel speed alone. "A compelling proposition for city bikes, children's bikes and shared fleets — and for the bike shop that wants fewer service visits," says Johan Threels, technical specialist at Sturmey-Archer.