TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Frame manufacturer Astro-Tech Co., Ltd. has clearly outlined its strategic direction for its future development initiative. Astro-Tech president Samuel Hu gave Bike Europe a look into what these plans entail, which includes the construction of a new production facility in Vietnam, where Astro-Tech has been producing frames for 24 years.

比利時，布魯塞爾（BRUSSELS）－歐盟執行委員會（European Commission，以下簡稱執委會）於上週宣布，針對中國電動自行車續課反傾銷與反補貼雙稅，期限再延長5年。該會決定對各公司適用個別反傾銷稅率，稅率從9.9%（Giant Electric Vehicle）至70.1%（未配合調查公司）不等。

比利時，布魯塞爾（BRUSSELS）－隨歐盟新《電池法》（Batteries Regulation）於2023年8月上路，自行車產業對於其中關於可維修性的第11條規定格外關注。歐盟執行委員會（以下簡稱執委會）現已發布指引，以促進落實該法規，並針對廣受討論的單顆電芯更換議題提供進一步說明。

台灣，台北－根據初步海關統計資料顯示，台灣在2024年出口的電動自行車數量減少47%。一年內僅出口近36.5萬輛，為2018年以來的最低紀錄。出口值亦同比減少43%，顯示供應鏈的經濟影響仍持續發酵。

比利時，科特賴克（KORTRIJK）－在眾多企業陷入財務困境又面臨需求疲軟的歐洲市場當中，比利時是否為最有前景的市場？比利時產業協會Traxio-Velo秘書長Paul Glorieux在發布2024年市場數據時表示：「2024年對自行車產業來說並非危機之年。」

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Any frequent visitor of bicycle industry factories in Taiwan, has seen that a lot of the workers come from countries like Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand or Indonesia. Often the signing in the factories is multi-lingual to facilitate the foreign workers. In a recent publication, LeMonde Diplomatique reports that they have found indicators of forced labour according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), particularly in the Taiwan bicycle industry.

MADRID, Spain - Following a dip in 2023 after two very successful years, bicycle production in Spain rebounded in 2024 with a 2.9% year-on-year increase in volume. Despite the value of the output dipping slightly, the Spanish industry is proving to remain robust compared to pre-pandemic levels.

ANNECY, France - After 10 years of research and development and a €19 million investment, active mobility developer, Cixi has announced that its Pers chainless technology is ready to hit the market. The first four bicycles featuring PERS technology will be available for purchase at this year's Eurobike.

It's no secret that cycling in nature has its benefits, from getting fresh air to improving one's overall health. But proper mountain bike trails don't just appear by themselves. They take careful consideration and planning. That's why Shimano has pledged a sum of 10 million USD to global trail building projects over the next 10 years.

OSLO, Norway - The innovative software of BikeFolder might potentially create so much relevant data for the industry, that Shimano Nordic announced a partnership with the start-up in the Nordic region. BikeFolder offers a solution for bicycle manufacturers that gives them insights into where their products go once they leave the factory and what happens during their lifecycle.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The reaction to the EU's recent decision to extend the anti-dumping and countervailing measures against imports e-bike from China doesn't come near the heavy discussions six years ago when the measures were implemented for the first time. For that reason, LEVA-EU now draws attention to the cheap and non-compliant e-bike from China and the complex exemption processes for 'made in China' e-bike components.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - When the new battery regulation came into place in August 2023, a lot of attention from the bicycle industry was given to 'Article 11' on repairability. The European Commission has now published guidelines to facilitate the introduction of this part of the regulation, and specifically the much-discussed topic of single-cell replacement.

LONDON, England - Following a public consultation process, the UK's Department for Transport has decided against implementing new legislation for e-bikes in the country. Under discussion were raising the maximum continuous power classification of e-bikes from 250 watts to 500 watts and allowing throttle assistance up to 25 km/h on e-bikes without the need for type approval.

VELDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Darfon, announced the appointment of René Timmermans as European-based director of OEM/ODM, effective immediately. In this role, René will be responsible for the management of all commercial matters involving Darfon Energy, Astro Tech and Kenstone, bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership experience to the team.

MADRID, Spain - Two Rotor Bike Component founders have launched a new performance cycling brand. Pablo Carrasco and Ignacio Estelles merged their vision and manufacturing expertise carbon manufacturer YMA to develop bicycle components. QO's first product line is a series of carbon fiber cranksets on display at Velofollies earlier this month.

盧森堡，盧森堡市（LUXEMBOURG）－荷蘭當局逮捕4名嫌疑人，因涉嫌大規模關稅詐欺行為，該案涉及自中國進口的自行車，據聞詐欺金額超過700萬歐元。

荷蘭，恩荷芬（EINDHOVEN）－Shimano Europe正加深與GXO的合作關係，GXO為一間管理外包供應鏈及倉儲的公司，提供全歐地區的物流服務。Shimano Europe將其位於比利時的倉儲業務遷至GXO在荷蘭芬賴（Venray）的設施。

德國，德勒斯登（DRESDEN）－網路自行車零售商Bike24 Holding AG董事會已下調2024財年營收預測。同時，該公司根據2024年Q4指標性結果，確認先前對調整後EBITDA利潤率所做的預測。