TOKYO, Japan - The bicycle industry in Japan is known to function in isolation, apart from global trends. Domestic sales are largely dominated by low-value, Chinese-made bicycles. But the market is waking up, seeing the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and the positive side effects on health. "The Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI) developed various initiatives to open up the market and take it to the next level, including an annual show and market data gathering," said Professor Tetsuya Komagata, President of the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI), in an interview with Bike Europe. Komagata has extensively studied the history of the Japan-China bicycle industry and offered his insights.

DENKENDORF, Germany - As the number of bicycle manufacturers installing the Motor.Gearbox.Unit continues to grow, gearbox specialist, Pinion is placing more emphasis on training and education for retailers in key European markets.

VIENNA, Austria - The first-quarter sales numbers for 2025 are in, and Austria's kids' bicycle supplier Woom GmbH has glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel with its strongest numbers yet.

SAKAI CITY, Japan - Component manufacturer Shimano points to "signs of recovery starting to appear in sales of completed bicycle sales" as it releases its first quarter consolidated financial results for 2025. In a welcome sign for the industry, the company reports a 15.6% increase in bicycle component sales in Q1, compared to the sluggish start of the year in 2024.

IRVINE, USA - E-car manufacturer Rivian announced it has spun out its micromobility business into a new company called Also Inc. Secured by a $105 million (€97 million) investment from Eclipse Ventures, Also will focus on small, lightweight vehicles including e-bikes.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - hGears AG faced a challenging 2024 fiscal year as declining demand and high inventory levels weighed on revenue and earnings. Despite the negative effects of 2024's economic slowdown and excess inventory struggles, hGears AG remains confident that its new cost and structural measures are having a positive effect.

AMERSFOORT, Netherlands - Dutch battery repair specialist Nowos has raised €6 million in new equity funding to accelerate its pan-European growth and push lithium-ion battery repair as a main component to developing a circular economy. The round's lead investor is Paris- and Singapore-based venture capital fund Shift4Good, with participation from Fair Capital Impact Fund and Goeie Grutten Impact Fund. An additional €3 million in debt financing is still being secured.

REDDITCH, England - Contrary to the general trend in the British retail market, Halfords UK reports an increase in bicycle sales in its 28 March trading update. The company's focus on its range of premium mechanical bikes that have a price tag of more than £1,000, as announced last year, turned out for the best.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Pon Holdings has made significant strides in 2024 towards enhancing its focus on mobility through strategic investments and divestments. Despite market uncertainties, Pon Holdings recorded stable revenues of €9.9 billion, matching the prior year's results normalised for divestments.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Pon has announced the sale of Dockr, its cargo bike subscriptions system to micro mobility supplier Today in shares. "With this acquisition, we are accelerating our vision of making micromobility solutions accessible for all," said Sean Flood and David Touwsma, co-founders of Today.

BERLIN, Germany - Yamaha Motor has signed an agreement with German automotive parts manufacturer, Brose to acquire its bicycle drive unit (eKit) business subsidiary. This strategic step includes establishing a new company, Yamaha Motor eBike Systems GmbH to expand the business in Europe. The formalisation of the operation is scheduled to be completed by June 2025, subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

MUNICH, Germany - In order to further expand its position in the market for premium pre-owned bicycles and e-bikes in France and Europe, TFJ Buycycle GmbH - creator of the German bicycle marketplace Buycycle, has joined forces with the French premium pre-owned marketplace for bicycles, Biked.

The AM2R project ('Agenda Mobilizadora para a Inovação Empresarial do Setor das Duas Rodas' - Mobilizing Agenda for Business Innovation in the Two-Wheel Sector) will have a significant presence at Eurobike 2025, demonstrating the growing capabilities of the Portuguese bicycle, e-bike, and soft mobility industry.

MILAN, Italy - The anti-lock braking systems (ABS) manufacturer for e-bikes and light electric vehicles Blubrake secured €12 million in funding to accelerate its growth. Founded in 2015, Blubrake subsequently introduced its anti-lock braking system (ABS) technology in 2018. With its next generation ABS, the company contributes to enhance braking performance, improve rider safety, and differentiate their products in an increasingly competitive market.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Fundracer as announced that Annika Fischer has joined the investment fund dedicated to future mobility as a Venture Partner. She has built a career at the intersection of finance, HR, and sustainability, reports Fundracer.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Bringing together leading exhibitors from Indonesia, China, Singapore and Vietnam, this year's Asiabike Jakarta (ABJ) is set to accelerate the growth of the sustainable mobility industry with expanded exhibitions. The event is scheduled from 29 April to 4 May 2025, at JIExpo Kemayoran - a 12,000-square-foot expo space in the heart of the city.

FRANKFURT, Germany - From 24 June to 28 June 2026, attendees from around the globe will pour into Messe Frankfurt's exhibition grounds for the world's largest bike and ecomobility trade show: Eurobike. The event organiser, fairnamic GmbH, announced the dates in late March to allow for early planning and reliability.

TUSCON, Arizona - In the week ahead of the annual industry meetup in Taiwan, the US and international leaders gathered for the Bicycle Leadership Conference. Hosted by PeopleForBikes, its president and CEO Jenn Dice welcomed the participants with the opening keynote announcing the first ever results of their 2024 market survey.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Mixed voices were heard about the state of affairs and future of the industry at the 2025 Taipei International Cycle Show. The unpredictable outlook for the business due to the US conflicted trade war has disrupted supply chain at an unprecedented level. The initial expectation was that Taipei Cycle 2025 would indicate the first signs of an industry moving in a positive direction again. While a series of fresh initiatives were rolled out to bolster the industry's role in ESG, advocacy and future mobility, an industry wide increase in the level of orders itself remained ambiguous.

NANTOU, Taiwan - As a company founded in 2020, Yota Cycles has witnessed both sides of the bicycle market pendulum. In the current downswing, the e-bike manufacturer looks positively toward the future.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Industry leaders dare to speak out on future developments more openly now the main hurdle of the inventory crisis has been overcome. Giant Group Chairman Young Liu spoke directly to Bike Europe about his plans for production in Europe and his focal points for his first year in this position.

FRANKFURT, Germany - DJI was one of the biggest newcomers on the e-bike market last year creating a lot of rumor during the tradeshows. What makes the e-bike market so interesting for this leading manufacturer of drones which generates a multi-billion revenue? The introduction into the e-bike market was put in the hands of drone pilot and DJI Product Experience Director Ferdinand Wolf.

MASER, Italy - Sidi Sport S.r.l., was sold by founder Dino Signori to the Milan-based investment holding company, Italmobiliare S.p.A. in 2022. Soon after the takeover of the company specialising in the production of cycling and motorcycling footwear, Davide Rossetti was appointed CEO and that marked the start of a complete overhaul of the company. What is the current status of this iconic brand?

ARDOOIE, Belgium - Björn Gast was welcomed to the Curana leadership team this month as Head of Sales and Product, a move Curana says marks an important milestone for the manufacturing company. Curana touts itself as a leading developer of high-end bike accessories with over 40 years of industry experience, building its reputation for quality and design.

COLOGNE, Germany - Georg Honkomp's decision to step down as chairman of German ZEG, Europe's largest dealer cooperative, had a big impact on the whole organisation. But what else can be expected after he was on the board of directors for more than three decades? The Honkomp era is over as the new board announced a sweeping change of leadership in most of ZEG's subsidiaries.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - Porsche eBike Performance GmbH has brought two new leaders on board its management team to bolster the company's leadership body and shape the company's future. Denise Silva has been appointed as Director Product Definition and Thorsten Weppert as Director Corporate Quality.

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands - Accell Group has officially announced Jonas Nilsson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Formerly the Chief Operating Officer for the European manufacturer, Nilsson has been making the shift into the role since January, after Tjeerd Jegen announced he would step down and join the Supervisory Board as Chair.