SANTA CLARA, USA - To improve the visibility and safety of vulnerable road users in traffic, Commsignia has launched a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device for e-bikes. The American company has been working with partners in the bicycle industry including Bosch to integrate the technology and expects mass market roll-out in the coming years.

PLOCHINGEN, Germany - Sporting goods manufacturer and retailer Decathlon has appointed the CEO of Decathlon-Germany André Weinert to CEO-CESEE (Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe). Effective immediately, he assumes responsibility for 17 countries in which Decathlon is represented. The sporting goods chain store giant will announce his successor in Germany within the coming weeks.

The rapid growth of e-commerce has transformed the way we shop, allowing us to purchase a wide range of products conveniently from online marketplaces. However, this convenience also brings certain risks, particularly when it comes to product safety.

As the e-bike market continues to develop, the diversity of consumer needs has led to a proliferation of specialised bikes - be it agile city commuters, practical cargo bikes or versatile touring e-bikes. Amid this kaleidoscopic array of choices, one segment is rapidly rising to prominence: e-bikes powered by hub motors. AUTORQ, a company renowned for its torque-sensing technology, has emerged as an indispensable partner for companies venturing into this sector.

In recent years an increasing number of bicycle companies have opted for close to market production in Europe. Spurred on by the need for a consistent supply chain following issues during the pandemic, investments in European manufacturing continue to grow. As noted in this online magazine, Eastern Europe is becoming popular with Lithuania, Poland and Romania all enticing new investments from bicycle manufacturers. But not only here, Germany, France and Portugal are taking efforts to step up 'Made in Europe' bicycle production.

A market leader in e-bike connectors, Higo continues to build on its efforts to meet the growing need for ultra compact e-bike connectors to neatly hide away in frames. It recently introduced the micro X connector range for connections like displays, switches, brakes and sensors.

MUNICH, Germany - Volkswagen Financial Services has acquired a 49% stake in Pon Holdings bike leasing subsidiary Bike Mobility Services (BMS). The partnership aims to focus on accelerating the expansion of bike leasing in Europe and the US. No details have been given on the purchasing price.

KARLSTEIN AM MAIN, Germany - Lithium-ion battery specialist, BMZ Group, has acquired Nox Cycles Austria and all its sister companies in Germany and Switzerland. The deal also includes the Hawk Bikes brand, which is mainly represented in Germany, and the DACH-Benelux license of the British premium e-bike manufacturer Whyte Bikes.

GEDERSDORF, Austria - Two-wheeled wholesaler and importer, KSR Group, has applied for a court-supervised restructuring procedure. Due to increased energy prices, high inflation and the lack of consumer purchasing power, the economic situation changed drastically within the last year in the markets the family-run company operates in.

BIELEFELD/ MÜNSTER, Germany - Offering the option to mount a childseat easily was the prelude to the start of an all new brand project for Hebie Group, that houses the brands hebie, tubus and racktime. Aligned with the company strategy and future philosophy, the new brand 'Carl & Marta' was launched at Eurobike 2023.

In the innovative world of tech and design, a concept is merely the starting point. Transforming that raw, untested idea into a successful, market-ready product demands a crucial element — validation. This is where Prelaunch.com steps in. The company provides a platform where concepts undergo rigorous market validation and testing before they hit the market.

英國，倫敦（LONDON）－英國F1賽車工程技術公司McLaren Applied旗下電動滑板車品牌Lavoie，已同意收購荷蘭破產品牌VanMoof。新東家表示其計畫穩定並拓展業務，同時轉用第三方零售通路。

荷蘭，阿姆斯特丹（AMSTERDAM）－Pon.Bike正在拓展品牌組合，確定收購頂尖單車卡鞋品牌Nimbl。該品牌總部位於義大利聖埃爾皮迪奧港（Porto Sant'Elpidio），公司自2020年成立後便拓展全球市場。該筆交易金額未公開。

法國，巴黎（PARIS）－台灣電動自行車品牌BESV正逐步踏入歐洲市場，法國為最新里程碑。BESV Europe品牌經理Bram Reitsma於法國巴黎自行車展（Pro Days）上宣布：「踏入法國市場對我們來說是一個重要的里程碑，我們不斷在拓展歐洲市場，現在輪到蓬勃的法國市場。」

台灣，台中－台灣第三大自行車巨頭Ideal已發布今年虧損數字。該廠第一季收益仍保持良好，僅下降1.8%，不過第二季呈二位數下滑。

WELS, Austria - In the first six months of 2023, Pierer Mobility AG achieved a new record revenue of €1.39 million, up 20.2%, compared to 2022. However, "the bicycle market as a whole is characterised by major changes. The consolidation that has already begun and is expected, will have profound effects on the entire bicycle industry," the motorcycle and e-bike specialist warns.

REGAU, Austria - In order to continue growing as quickly as possible and to meet current demand, Austrian OEM bicycle and e-bike assembler WSF Bicycle Technology GmbH has launched a crowdinvesting campaign. With a funding goal of €400,000, the company aims to increase the output of its factory from 25,000 bicycles and e-bikes per year to 100,000 units per year by 2026.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - Automotive suppliers entering the e-bike market has been a trend over the past few years. Trade shows like IAA Mobility which aims to integrate all mobility providers under one umbrella demonstrates the slight cracks in the car industry's dominance as other forms of mobility successfully emerge. Bike Europe editor-in-chief, Jan-Willen van Schaik explores this further.