HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - The final Batavus bicycles have rolled off the assembly line in the Netherlands, marking the end of an era for the Accell Group as it opts for centralised production in Hungary. It also marks the end of 45 years in the bicycle industry for Accell stalwart Menno Visser, who is now retiring. Having started at Batavus on the assembly line, he worked his way up to commercial director and spent the past years as a project manager at Accell. In an exclusive interview, he reflects on industry changes and his vision for the future.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Merida Industry Co., Ltd. reported an 8.5% year-on-year decline in consolidated revenue to NT$21.8 billion (€610 million) for the first three quarters of 2025, as weakening demand across Asia continues to weigh on the Taiwanese manufacturer's performance. Net profit for the parent company fell 18% to NT$1.44 billion (€39.5 million) during the same period, while earnings from associates, including Merida's stake in Specialized, contributed NT$511 million (€14 million).

TALLINN, Estonia - Vok Bikes has secured a new production line at the Refactory plant of Renault Group to scale the manufacturing of its next-generation electric commercial cargo bikes. Starting in 2026, mass production of Vok Bikes will take place at the car maker's plant in Flins, France, which is its flagship circular economy and sustainable manufacturing hub.

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Olimpia Bicycle Ltd, the long-standing Hungarian producer behind the Gepida brand and recognised OEM supplier in Central and Eastern Europe, has announced it will cease operation. Partners were informed on 18 November that the company will enter liquidation and will not continue under a legal successor.

For many in the bicycle industry, the third quarter financial results make uncomfortable reading. Despite optimistic signs in the first and second quarters, most Q3 results show that attaining financial stabilisation is still out of reach. As revenues drop, repeated streamlining and cost-cutting measures are being taken to ensure the health of companies in the bicycle industry supply chain. This sentiment is also echoed in the second results of the Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI), a new initiative between Bike Europe, Eurobike and IFH Koln.

MUNICH, Germany - Govecs Group, the Munich-based company behind the leading two-wheeler e-mobility solution, has filed for insolvency at the Munich District Court. Despite the supplier's recent production line opening in Poland and its strategic pivot to focus on its retro eSchwalbe moped brand, the company appears unable to sustain itself through 2026.

EDINBURGH, UK - Intra Drive, the United Kingdom-based e-bike component developer, has secured €600,000 toward an extended €850,000 seed round. The new capital will support the transition from pilot units to commercial production of its GD8 integrated gearbox powertrain. Since displaying at Eurobike in 2021, Intra Drive has focused on building a European supply chain and industrialising its e-bike motor unit with a multi-speed gearbox.

MUNICH, Germany - Sushi Bikes caused a sensation in 2019 when it whizzed onto the market with a direct-to-consumer business model and cool e-city bikes at affordable retail prices from €1,000. The initial success has now faded away, and Sushi Bikes joins the line of German companies that could not make it to the end of 2025.

VICENZA, Italy - The ongoing crisis in the cycling industry may be hitting one of the sector's most iconic Italian brands: Campagnolo, the historic Vicenza-based company and a name synonymous with world cycling. Reports of significant redundancies announced by the company have been circulating across major national news outlets and local media, but nothing has been confirmed by Campagnolo.

NÜRTINGEN, Germany — Bosch eBike Systems has acquired Magura's 50% stake in Magura Bosch Parks & Services GmbH (MBPS), taking full control of one of Europe's largest bicycle and e-bike service and spare parts distributors. Formerly equal service partners since the launch of Bosch's e-bike brand, the partners have not made it clear what prompted the buyout.

ROSÀ, Italy - Italian bicycle parts and accessories manufacturer Ursus S.p.A. has acquired a majority stake in component manufacturer Saccon S.r.l. The transaction includes Sacconplast, the in-house division for high-quality "Made-in-Italy" plastic components. No details have been provided on the size of the majority stake acquired and the purchase price.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The CONEBI and CIE merger has reached two important milestones this week, with the announcement of a new name and the election of the new board and president. The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) will be renamed as European Cycling Industries, as decided last weekend during an extraordinary general meeting. This announcement marks the start of the new organisation representing the bicycle industry in Europe.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - After a 25-year career, of which 15 years were in the role of CEO, Janus Smalbraak resigned at Pon to pursue a new professional challenge. Smalbraak announced this resignation at Pon in a LinkedIn post earlier today. Volkswagen Financial Services AG CEO Christian Dahlheim has been appointed to succeed Janus Smalbraak.

PARIS, France - On course to double sales in 2025, refurbished e-bike seller Upway, has received a financial injection of US$60 million (€52 million) in closing its Series C funding round. The company has now raised a total of US$125 million (€108 million) since its founding in 2021. The latest funding will facilitate new UpCenters in Europe and North America, expansion into five more countries and the launch of new digital services.

GDANSK, Poland - Polish manufacturer 7Anna Group and its brands NS Bikes, Rondo and Creme Cycles, may soon have a new investor, according to news buried in an Instagram post from NS Bikes.

The international bicycle trade fair Cyclingworld Europe continues to grow: in 2026, the newly created Urban Hub will add a second location right in the heart of Düsseldorf. Visitors can look forward to more space, more brands, and even more bicycle culture.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - 2025 once again may prove how difficult forecasting is for the global e-bike and bicycle industry. A strong first half boosted confidence, but the latest Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI) reveals that optimism is fading fast.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The introduction of MobiFuture last June at Eurobike was rather subdued and came as a surprise to many. It caused a big stir in the industry, making Fairnamic announce today: "key market participants see the need for further clarification of Mobifuture's concept and direction, which is why it will not be presented as a standalone trade show format in 2026."

FRANKFURT, Germany - Industry leaders have openly shared their opinions on the developments surrounding Eurobike with Bike Europe. Complaints about the show were already widely discussed during and after the last edition, but the future of the event came into full focus after the statement of the German industry bodies to pull out of Eurobike. For decades, the show seemed a fixed element in the industry calendar, but even Eurobike cannot escape the recent dramatic changes in the industry.

FONZASO, Italy - Fashion in cycling apparel and bicycles has long taken a different path, if only because the life cycle and price range of both categories are far apart. Still, there are a lot of parallels, only because the audience is the same. How do both worlds interact, and how can they strengthen each other? Castelli product line manager, Andrew Montgomery, took a deep dive into Castelli's market approach and how the fashion world interacts with its brand strategy.

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The new European Union guidelines on battery repairs will soon take effect, but whether the bicycle industry is sufficiently prepared remains to be seen. NOWOS founder Prins Doornekamp said he is surprised by the limited knowledge among both manufacturers and bicycle retailers.

LA MASSANA, Andorra - The mountain bike brand Commencal is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Started in 2000, founder Max Commencal focused on designing and producing high-quality bikes, particularly for gravity-focused mountain biking disciplines. How does Max perceive the market today, and what can we expect from this Pyrenean mountain biking pioneer?

SUZHOU, China - Over the past 22 years, Bafang has consistently prioritised technological innovation as fundamental to the company's development. With this approach the motor manufacturer has successfully navigated the storm of the previous years. "Whether in good times or bad, demand-driven innovation is urgently needed," CEO Qinghua Wang explains to Bike Europe.

GRENCHEN, Switzerland - Swiss bike manufacturer BMC Switzerland AG, with its brands BMC, Scor and Adicta Lab has communicated a CEO change at the start of next year. On 1 Jan., BMC's Chief Sales Officer (CSO) John Glett will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will succeed David Zurcher, who is ending his 12-year tenure at the top.

PARIS, France - This was the question looking to be answered at the recently held Summit Series in Paris, supported by CIE's Women in Cycling expert group. The event, focusing on the retention and recruitment of women in the bicycle industry, hoped to 'lead the change' in correcting the current imbalance in the sector. With cross-spectrum representatives from industry and academia present, the conclusion was that progress is slow, and opportunities are being missed.

GIRONA, Spain - Accell Group has appointed William Perrier as managing director for Southern Europe in a role that was cut a couple of years ago. The renewed focus on the region is part of the group's strategy aimed at accelerating its development in the key markets of France, Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Perrier was presented at Sea Otter Europe as the man to boost the sales of Accell brands Lapierre, Ghost, Winora and Haibike, which are at the core of sales in the region.

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Shimano announces that Marc van Rooij, president of the Shimano Europe Group, will leave the company by the end of 2025. Van Rooij has worked at Shimano for over 34 years in various management positions, including Shimano Benelux, Shimano Europe and Shimano Europe Holding. He has been president of the Shimano Europe Group since 2009.