AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - It astonished many in the Dutch bike sector; the huge growth in electric bicycle sales in 2015. That growth amounted to a big 24% to 276,000 units. Also in Germany e-bike sales showed a big double-digit growth in 2015.
BERINGEN, Belgium - Over 400 people attended the opening of the new building of Flanders' Bike Valley last Friday. The big eye-catcher here is of course the bike dedicated wind tunnel. However, this bike valley is more than that.
ZÜRICH, Switzerland - Last weekend the largest Swiss city launched the first Urban Bike Festival. Thanks to the attractive mix of exhibition, test options, competitions and shows, public interest surpassed initial expectations.
HOLLY RIDGE, USA - The majority of the electric bicycles sold in the USA last year were imported from China or Taiwan. There are some local assembly operations, with the largest one being Prodecotech in Florida. The others are very relatively low volume.
HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group today announces that it sells the USA parts & accessories activities of Seattle Bike Supply to Hawley-Lambert, a P&A company based in the USA and Canada.
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands - Next Monday April 4 Media Markt, Europe's largest retailer for consumer electronics with over 700 stores in 14 countries, will start with the sale of electric bicycles in The Netherlands. For this the retail chain unsuccessfully tried to engage one or more top e-bike brands. Media Markt kicks off with a private label. The start in The Netherlands is a pilot that, when successful, is to be extended to all countries that have Media Markt stores.
OSAKA, Japan - Anticipating on UCI's final approval to allow disc brakes in professional road racing, Shimano extends its hydraulic disc brake range to Tiagra. Previously Shimano already introduced Ultegra and 105 hydro brakes and Sora mechanical disc brakes while unconfirmed sources state that Dura-Ace road-specific hydraulic disc brakes will be next.
ROSSANO VENETO, Italy - Are major changes about to take place in bicycle saddles? Are foam covers a thing of the past? And is consolidation setting in? Looking at what is going on at Selle Italia this is about to happen and is even already taking place.
SURSEE, Switzerland - Hostettler Group reports the acquisition of Bike-Mailorder GmbH & Co. KG with immediate effect. According to Swiss based Hostettler, "Bike-Mailorder is one of Germany's leading webshops". Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
TOKYO, Japan - For the second year on a row, the Japanese bicycle market is declining in volume. Value-wise however, production and import are reaching new highs. This contrasting development is rooted in the depreciation of the Japanese yen. Also, made in Japan e-bikes contributed to the rising value of the bike production and import.
荷蘭，阿姆斯特丹- 它的誕生是個意外，但大家很快就發現它所具有的未來潛力。Haibike兩年前在歐洲自行車展上首次推出的電動登山車已經成為暢銷的熱門商品。並擁有刺激更多銷量的能力。
德國，HARTMANNSDORF- 電動自行車在荷蘭和德國市場重要性與日俱增，造成了Trek一系列策略的改變。以登山車和公路車等車系產品聞名於世的Trek，現在也更加重視電動自行車了。
斯里蘭卡，可倫坡- 歐盟提到了斯里蘭卡提出重新獲得所謂的GSP+條件，也就是自行車免關稅進口到歐盟的進展。GSP+地位可以讓由斯里蘭卡進口自行車的廠商免除歐盟14%的進口關稅。斯里蘭卡預計於2017年再一次被授予這項特殊待遇，五年前因同等待遇讓斯里蘭卡成為歐盟第三大自行車供應國。
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - It came about accidentally, but was soon recognized for its future potential. What Haibike first presented 2 years ago at Eurobike has turned into a huge sales hit. And has the ability to trigger much more.
HARTMANNSDORF, Germany - With the growing importance of the e-bike worldwide Trek has stepped up its efforts to lead this rapidly expanding category. The market leader in road and mountain bikes, is seeing substantial growth in retailer interest and consumer demand for Trek's broad range of electric products.
BERLIN, Germany - At the 'Berliner Fahrradschau' that took place from March 18 to 20, a 2-gear bottom bracket drive system debuted. The maker, Kappstein GmbH & Co KG, claims it to be a revolution. However, the Schlumpf drive offers a similar system. Kappstein's Doppio bb drive offers improved usability.
ENNEPETAL, Germany - "We believe there's nothing we can't improve," says Alexander Thun of bottom bracket manufacturer Alfred Thun GmbH. "Take our passion for precise processes, best practice and state-of-the-art technology. That's what drives us."
CHICAGO, USA - Guided by input from talented riders in Enduro and Gravity, Truvativ developed an all new range of components, the Descendant. According to Truvativ it meets "the highest levels in performance, durability, affordability and style."
