OSAKA, Japan - Shimano reports a big difference in market performance between Europe and North America. In its January-October 2023 financial statement, the component manufacturer reports that despite high inventories in general, a strong interest in bicycles continued in its major market, Germany and the Benelux countries.

SUZHOU, China - Motor manufacturer Bafang has identified waterproofing as a key focus area of its R&D. The company has set specific waterproof upgrade targets and a comprehensive plan for various components within its drive systems, including motors, gear-hubs and displays. By fine-tuning the product structure design, the team aims to elevate the overall waterproof performance of its products.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The ambitions were sky high when Mate Bike was founded in 2016. Investors were easy to entice based on the projected growth of the e-bike market. However, expansion came too quickly, and Mate Bike is now fighting insolvency.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - For the first time, the total value of e-bikes imported into the European Union exceed €0.5 billion between January and July this year. Contrary to all outlooks and forecasts the market performance of the high-end segment was very good.

BERLIN, Germany - The latest report on the financially troubled Signa Sports United are overshadowed by the even bigger issues at its largest shareholder, Signa International Sports Holding GmbH. It is clear that not only the problems as generally reported in the cycling industry have put Signa Sports's future on the edge.

FRANKFURT, Germany - UK-based custom lithium battery pack manufacturer Alexander Battery Technologies is expanding into the European Union. With a new sales and service operation in Germany, the company aims to offer OEMs in the DACH region faster time-to-market and a more secure supply chain. Industry veteran Kim Madsen, director of sales and marketing will lead the new operation.

ASCOT, UK - Frog Bikes, the British manufacturer of children's bikes, is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon emissions by incorporating 25% post-consumer recycled aluminium into the production of bike frames and forks. The move is expected to decrease carbon emissions by 5.8% per bike, equivalent to approximately 28.8 kg of CO2 per bike.

柬埔寨，金邊（PHNOM PENH）－柬埔寨自行車製造商嚴重受到全球市場需求下滑帶來的衝擊，減少二位數的出口值在今年早些時候更是惡化。

荷蘭，宰斯特（ZEIST）－一間自行車公司有高達95%的碳排是發生在採購及生產過程。為應對排放議題，包含Trek、Accell、Schwalbe及Canyon等多間企業，共同合作開發適用亞洲供應商的氣候行動培訓（Climate Action Training，簡稱CAT）計畫。

愛沙尼亞，佩特里（PEETRI）－載貨自行車製造商Hagen Bikes兩年內再度走上股市尋求新資本。Hagen股票可在多邊交易系統First North進行交易，該公司向Nasdaq Tallin AS提交申請要求接受所有發行期間的新股，以在多邊交易系統中進行交易。

法國，巴黎（PARIS）－Peugeot Cycles在法國巴黎自行車展（Pro Days）展出全新系列電動自行車，這三款是由Beweel所開發， Stellantis Group（Peugeot東家）持有新創公司Beweel的少數股份。Beweel設計該產品，也會負責行銷部分，他們也開發出Beweel App讓使用者能夠管理驅動系統並蒐集數據。

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodian bicycle manufacturers are being hit hard by the decline in demand on the global market. The double digit decrease in export value announced earlier this year is only growing bigger.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The bicycle industry lobby concluded a successful period in Brussels with the publication of the European Cycling Declaration by the European Commission last week. Cycling has never been that high on the political agenda. What's next?

INNSBRUCK, Austria - US digital marketing and e-commerce strategy agency, CrankTank, is expanding its services to Europe and has opened an office in Innsbruck, Austria. This expansion will enable them to better serve both their US and European brand partners in e-commerce strategies. Susanne Pfrengle has been appointed as managing director of CrankTank Europe.

PARIS, France -Peugeot Cycles presented a new range of e-bikes during the Pro Days in Paris earlier this year. The three models have been developed by Beweel, a start-up company in which the Stellantis Group (owner of Peugeot) is a minority shareholder. Beweel has designed and will market this range. A Beweel App has also been developed to allow users to manage the drive system and collect data.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A fatal accident with an e-bike in Belgium years ago started a dispute about the legal classification of the electric bicycle. Should it be regarded as a 'vehicle' and be covered by a mandatory insurance like other vehicles? Finally, the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that e-bikes are not covered by this obligation because e-bikes are not propelled exclusively by mechanical power.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - Up to 95% of a company's carbon emissions take place when extracting, sourcing and producing bike materials and components. To tackle these emissions several companies including Trek, Accell, Schwalbe and Canyon have come together to co-develop a Climate Action Training for Asian suppliers.

BANGKOK, Thailand - As part of its ambitious growth and investment plans, tyre manufacturer Vittoria has opened a new state-of-the-art factory in Bangkok, Thailand dedicated to the production of cotton tubular and clincher bicycle tyres. The carbon neutral factory will also be at the forefront of sustainable product development.