KORTRIJK, Belgium - The ambition to create a global distribution network was one of striking parts of Tenway's vision when they rushed onto the market in 2021. Today the brand has established its position and built a network throughout Europe. Tenways's area sales manager Europe Tony Vos elaborated on the outlook of the market for this young lifestyle brand.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - This time, car manufacturer Porsche AG seems to be taking the e-bike subject really seriously: Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, which was founded in 2022, has just announced its intention to set up its own e-bike battery production facility in Croatia. This is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026 - "at the same time as the market launch of the first Porsche e-bike drive system."

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan bicycle manufacturer BSH Ventures Pvt Ltd reports that it is only partially operational due to the current market conditions. The export-oriented site which was set-up to cater for the high-end bike market of Europe is presently being forced to serve the domestic market in order to remain operational.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The fierce discussion 2 years ago on the new battery regulation implemented by the European Commission seem to have moved to the background. The challenging market conditions appear to be more relevant than a new European regulation which will be implemented in January 2027. One element in this regulation is that the single cell replacement for e-bike batteries would cause serious safety issues according to many industry insiders.

GENEVA, Switzerland - The UN 'Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035)' might give a boost to the promotion of cycling on a global scale. On behalf of the international bicycle industry, gathering at the World Bicycle Industry Association WBIA, Manuel Marsilio explored how this will give a follow-up to the Masterplan for Cycling Promotion.

BRUSSELS, India - The EU and India are intensifying bilateral contacts again with a view to concluding negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her speech in Davos that the first trip of the new Commission would be to India. "Together with Prime Minister Modi, we want to upgrade the strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world," she said.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - E-bike brand Cowboy has fully moved its e-bike assembly operations to France. In a strategic nearshoring move, the partnership with Rebirth Group subsidiary ReCycles aims to reduce delivery times, and strengthen customer support as the brand seeks to meet demand for its e-bikes across Europe.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - That 2024 was a challenging year for European e-bike markets is no secret. How bad though, is now revealed in the latest EU e-bike import statistics published by Eurostat. The volume of e-bikes imports dropped 27% year-on-year to 642,000 units, slipping below the pre-covid level of 705,000 units in 2019. The import value fared even worse, with a 33% drop year-on-year.

NEW DELHI, India - The Indian bicycle industry's quest for a global bicycle show may soon be realized as a new show has emerged on the horizon with all the signs of making it big in the future. The country's existing show, CFOSE which has been established over 14 editions appears to be making way for a new 'government-backed' event on India's bicycle event calendar.

PARIS, France - "The recall of the first-generation Angell e-bikes issued last year brought our adventure to an end despite all our efforts and the incredible work of all the employees, whom I am thinking of tonight." With these words, Marc Simoncini, founder of the French e-bike startup Angell, announced the end of a venture that had once aimed to change urban mobility.

ERKRATH, Germany - A long time coming, but Giant Deutschland GmbH has officially confirmed the appointment of a new managing mirector. As early as December 1, Alexander Gebert was appointed as the successor to Oliver Hensche, who will be available to the Giant Group in an advisory capacity until further notice. He had managed the company for 15 years.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Eurobike organiser fairnamic GmbH has expanded its leadership team by appointing Adrien Sockeel, an experienced professional from the bicycle and e-mobility industry, as the new head of sales.

EDINBURGH, UK - Following eight years of product development, Intradrive has revealed the production-specification design of its GD8 gearbox drive unit. "We are building up pilot production units to ship to bike brands for internal testing right now," explains IntraDrive founding director Mark Ravilious.

REUTLINGEN, Germany - The 2024 business development of Robert Bosch GmbH was adversely affected by the fact that growth markets such as electromobility developed much more slowly than expected. While the company serves a wide range of industries, it regards their technologies for mobility, which includes e-bikes and homes of the future as key growth areas. Claus Fleischer, CEO Bosch eBike Systems highlights specific details on the e-bike market.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - "Riding manipulated e-bikes on public roads may result in serious legal consequences," writes the European industry confederation CONEBI. The national industry associations and companies operating under the aegis of CONEBI speak out altogether against any kind of manipulation of e-bikes and e-bike drive systems to increase the performance of the maximum supported assistance speed.

WASHINGTON, US - As the world awaits a year of tariffs and tussles, there was good news for the bicycle market in the US in 2024. The number of non- electric bicycles imported into the country rose again following sharp declines since 2021, the latest US customs data shows. However, with China as the leading supplier, the market remains uncertain.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group has completed its recapitalisation process after it secured sufficient support from its key stakeholders last November. The sanction hearing in the English court on 23 January 2025, at which the court sanctioned the recapitalisation following the agreement that Accell reached with the majority of its financial stakeholders in October 2024, was the final step before yesterday's finalisation.

OSAKA, Japan - The 2024 financial report of Shimano Inc. indicates a rebound in sales in the second half of last year. However, in more detail the results look less promising for the international bicycle industry. The revenue in Europe and Taiwan was still down by double digits and the main growth market was China where revenue increased by almost 60%. In the long-term Shimano remains positive on bicycle sales, but the bicycle component manufacturer also points to the potential impact of geopolitical developments.