HAMBURG, Germany - 82% of supply chain professionals in China expect container prices to rise in January 2025, according to a survey by Container xChange. The survey also highlighted that supply chain participants are preparing for three key disruptions this year; tariffs, geopolitical risks, and structural overcapacity. These disruptions are expected to keep demand and supply dynamics volatile well into 2025 with a potential impact on the bicycle industry.

LONDON, UK - When looking for an indication of how dire the current market situation is in the bike industry, look no further than the recent financial results of folding bike manufacturer, Brompton. The renowned British manufacturer has reported a dramatic decline in profits, plummeting from £10.7 million (€ 12.9 million) to just £4,602 (€ 5,543) for the fiscal year ending March 2024.

ROME. Italy - The micro mobility market in Italy will have to adjust to a series of restrictions as part of the mandatory new highway code. These include the usage of a helmet, but also a mandatory license plate and insurance. These restraints are a new setback for this highly popular micro mobility product, although Italy is certainly not the first country in Europe which restricts the use of e-scooters.

TERNDRUP, Denmark - As part of its continued growth investments, Danish online bike retailer Cykelgear, has merged with fellow Danish e-commerce business, Cykelpartner. Although the agreement unites the two online platforms under the same corporate group, both will continue to operate as independent brands in Denmark. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

ASOLO, Italy - Selle Italia has acquired Vittoria cycling shoes, which has been developing and manufacturing cycling shoes in Italy for almost fifty years, for an undisclosed amount. Giuseppe Bigolin, President of Selle Italia, "As we did in 2016 with Selle San Marco, we are gearing up to expand our range with a company that has always believed in technological development, in style and in the Made in Italy brand. Just like us."

台灣，台北－最新海關數據顯示，台灣供應鏈在2024年實際上過得很煎熬。台灣Q3電動自行車出口約75,000萬輛，與2023相比年減44%。7至9月出口至歐盟的電動自行車更是大幅減少55%，僅出口34,000萬輛。此外，今年台灣出口總值預估將縮減5億歐元。

台灣， 台中－Giant Group將以全新高階管理團隊迎接2025年，該集團董事長Bonnie Tu（度綉珍）將正式退休。集團董事會已通過人事案，推舉現任執行長Young Liu（劉泳昌）接任董事長職務，執行長一職則由現任品牌長Phoebe Liu（劉素娟）升任。此人事案將自2025年1月1日起生效。

荷蘭，海倫芬（HEERENVEEN）－根據Accell Group上週發布業務更新，市場仍充滿挑戰，現金流仍會是該集團的重點。其2023年財報已完成，營收減少10%，該集團執行長Tjeerd Jegen表示：「整體營運恢復進展順利。」

加拿大，魁北克（QUEBEC）－自行車老牌Rocky Mountain Bicycles為進行重組，已申請美國《破產法》第11章。根據加拿大新聞媒體《Cision's Newswire》報導，該公司在自主重組程序中，將在加拿大《公司債權人安排法》（簡稱CCAA）之下保持完整營運。

ZEIST, The Netherlands - In late 2023, after a difficult year, industry insiders were looking hopefully towards the new year. However, predictions of inventory level recovery and stability in the market were pushed back at every contact moment during 2024; from Taipei Cycle at the beginning of the year, to Taichung Bike Week at the end. This 'hope' was abandoned in the second half of the year as insolvencies and closures began to dominate the headlines. As hopes now push forward to those that have 'survived to 2025', here, a perhaps unwelcome look back at 2024.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Giant Group will start 2025 with a new executive leadership team following the announcement that long-standing chairperson Bonnie Tu will officially retire. The Group's board of directors has approved the appointment of current CEO Young Liu as the new Chairman. The current chief branding officer Phoebe Liu has been promoted to CEO. These changes will take effect January 1, 2025.

MEPPEL, The Netherlands - The full extent of the problems in the Dutch e-bike market are becoming increasingly clear with the next insolvency of pure player Amslod founded in 2015. Like Stella E-bike, Amslod started as an online retailer which later opened shops to provide better service, but never became as successful as Stella E-bikes.

COLOGNE, Germany - From the start of next year, Georg Honkomp will hand over his position as chairman of the board of Europe's biggest dealer cooperative, German ZEG, to his successor Fred Schierenbeck.

HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - As the market continues to be challenging, liquidity will remain a key focus of the Accell Group, according to a business update of the company published yesterday. With accounts for 2023 finalised with a 10% revenue drop, "recovery is well on track across the business," states CEO Tjeerd Jegen.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The fact that the Taiwanese supply chain has struggled during 2024 is fully evident in the latest custom statistics. In Q3, the island nation exported around 75,000 e-bike units, a 44% drop compared to 2023. E-bike exports to the EU specifically dropped 55% to a mere 34,000 units between July and September. Most significantly, the country is on course to see its export value drop half a billion euros this year in total.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - As the year draws to a close the Bike Europe team would like to thank you for your continued support throughout this challenging year.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In recognition of its ESG activities, Giant Group has joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets Index, making it the first company in the bicycle industry to have this distinction.

QUEBEC, Canada - Long standing bicycle manufacturer Rocky Mountain Bicycles has filed for Chapter 11 status to restructure the company. The company will continue its operations in full during its self-initiated restructuring process under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), reports the Canadian new service Cision's Newswire.