瑞士，胡特維爾（HUTTWIL）－Flyer關閉瑞士廠的消息很遺憾已成事實，經過商議後，其執行長Andy Kessler上週宣布將裁員至少150名員工。這個發生在聖誕節前夕的壞消息，媒體也是透過經銷商和員工透露才得知，其母公司ZEG未發布任何訊息。

中國，蘇州－業界供過於求的情況造成零件供應商需求減緩，甚至電動自行車也是。不僅9月舉辦的台中自行車週反映出庫存過高的情況，Bafang發布的前9個月財報亦反映出此況，其業績相較2023年未有改善。

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The presentation of the manifesto for the EU term 2024-2029 by industry confederation CONEBI in Brussels last week, gave the cycling industry the opportunity to discuss the agenda with European institutions for the next five years. Hosted by EU member of parliament Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, the industry representatives and the EU Commission discussed plans and projects to come to reality.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Imports of fatbikes which do not comply with EN standards and road safety regulations has prompted the Dutch bicycle industry organization RAI Association to introduce a new e-bike quality mark. The use of illegal and tweaked fatbikes has caused a major increase in e-bike accidents and a lot of irritation amongst the Dutch public.

KOPRIVNICE, Czech Republic - The long-time experience in the production of city bikes for a leading Dutch brand, gave Bike Fun International (BFI) a strong position in the expanding urban mobility cycling market. Bike Europe talked with CEO René Gasser about the manufacturer's ambition to serve the central European markets as a leading distributor, but also how they can distinguish themselves as an OEM supplier.

PÖCKING, Germany - Circular Logistics GmbH, a pioneer in sustainable packaging solutions, has been awarded in two categories at the German Design Awards 2025 for their innovative design of a reusable transport box for new bikes.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Even though the first three sales quarter revenue of NT$1.91 billion (€55.66 million) was 32.5% lower than in the same period of the previous year, Taiwan's bicycle manufacturer Ideal Bike Corporation has been able to reduce its loss by 34.4%. The crisis at Taiwan's third largest bicycle producer is still rooted in the 2023 insolvencies of two of its major customers Advanced Sports GmbH and VanMoof.

HUTTWIL, Switzerland - The closure of production at Flyer in Huttwil is now a sad certainty. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, CEO Andy Kessler announced yesterday that at least 150 employees will soon be made redundant. The media only learned of this unfortunate pre-Christmas news via dealers and employees; owner ZEG has not disclosed any information.

SUZHOU, China - The oversupply in the industry, even for the category e-bikes, is still resulting in a slowdown in demand for component manufacturers. The excess inventory situation was already reflected at Taichung Bike Week last September but also came forward in Bafang's nine months earnings result which did not improve compared with 2023.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, USA - Pedego, the largest chain of e-bike stores in North America, has announced the appointment of Larry Pizzi as its new chief executive officer (CEO) and member of the Board, effective November 18, 2024. Pizzi joins the company with over 20 years of operational leadership experience in the cycling and outdoor industry, succeeding Brian Stech. In addition, Cliff Moskowitz will be joining the Pedego Board of Directors.

BELFAST, UK - A new documentary has been released to showcase the extent of the waste problem within the cycling industry and offer solutions. Produced as part of a research project from Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Revolutions is a 15-minute documentary that urges stakeholders from across the cycling industry to reconsider their approach and attitudes towards environmental sustainability.

Supreme Dutch, a bicycle tyre innovator based in the Netherlands, has unveiled its next generation airless tyre specifically designed for bicycles. The new patented product is aimed at transforming the bike-sharing, food delivery, and cargo bike transportation sectors, where reliability, durability, and minimal maintenance are critical. With over a decade of research and development, the company is known for its focus on airless solutions for urban (E-) mobility. The company collaborated with tyre brand Schwalbe - Ralf Bohle for nearly five years before branching out independently to expand its reach globally.

CHANGHUA, Taiwan - In the first three sales quarters of the current 2024 financial year Taiwan's second-largest bicycle manufacturer Merida Industry Co. Ltd. generated total revenue of TWD 23.8 billion (€695 million). Compared to the first nine months of the previous year, this is a good increase of 5.8% in a persistently difficult and challenging environment.

OBERWANGEN, Switzerland - Yamaha was the first e-bike brand this month which announced it was pulling out of the US market due to oversupply and slow demand. It turns out that the Japanese are not the only one. myStromer AG also announced it will discontinue its business in the US and Canada with immediate effect.

VICENZA, Italy - Selle Royal has unveiled a new proprietary technology that allows waste materials to be repurposed as padding for bicycle saddles. The Italian saddle manufacturer plans to debut the innovation, named the Stracciatella, on its Lookin and Lookin Evo saddles, in addition to the Essenza saddle for the OEM market.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The delayed improvement in the financial position of leading players in the bicycle industry casts its shadow ahead of Eurobike 2025. The show organisation reports a shift towards more attention for the segments parts and accessories, boutique brands, services and international suppliers.

To support its rapid growth, Tracefy recently expanded its management team. Ferry Post has been appointed as sales director and Greg Schouten as technical director. This allows Niels Penning, as general manager, to focus more on overall company leadership, while Jeroen van Kester, director of marketing and new business, will concentrate on international markets and opportunities for Tracefy's GPS solutions beyond the bicycle industry.

SCHAMBERG, Germany - High-precision transmission parts and components manufacturer hGears AG continues to suffer not only from the automotive crisis, but also from the e-bike business segment's sluggish destocking. In the first nine months of the current 2024 financial year, it had to digest its biggest sales drop.