VanMoof stages comeback with launch of new e-bike series as rumours abound
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - With two new models released this month as part of the S6 series, is VanMoof set to become the comeback kid of the bicycle industry?
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - With two new models released this month as part of the S6 series, is VanMoof set to become the comeback kid of the bicycle industry?
FRANKFURT, Germany - The fragmentation in the industry is more and more hampering the development of the business. The large number of companies often operate in a limited part of the market, which makes it difficult to gather enough information. This lack of data makes it very difficult to manage the supply chain efficiently. Eurobike and Bike Europe jointly created the Global Bicycle Purchasing Index aimed at creating a benchmark for purchase and product managers.
FRANKFURT, Germany - The trade war has been the next disruptor in the long-awaited market recovery of the bicycle industry. Taipei Cycle Show last March still gave off an upbeat vibe, but it is questionable whether this will still be the case at Eurobike.
PALENCIA, Spain - To develop solutions that improve the efficiency and performance of e-bikes, Mahle SmartBike Systems has announced a new investment round of between €10 and €12 million annually in R&D. The announcement came shortly after Mahle CEO Arnd Franz stated that, "the e-bike sector was their standout success, supplying more than 60 e-bike brands across all segments."
SCHRAMBERG, Germany - The financial results published by e-bike motor component manufacturer hGears are an important indicator of the market expectations of leading European e-bike brands. For the first quarter of 2025, hGears reports a 32.1% sales decline for its e-bike division. For the rest of 2025, hGears expects a further decline of the e-bike market.
BRUSSELS, Belgium — The Belgian e-bike brand is in hot water after customers called out unexpectedly long wait times and a lack of transparency from the company. It's safe to say Cowboy has had a rough start to the year, as the e-bike manufacturer has attempted to navigate a production relocation, frame recall and now backordering issue - all in the span of a few months.
Germany/the Netherlands - Key economic and sourcing data has turned out to be an essential tool in steering the industry in today's challenging and volatile markets. The bicycle industry currently lacks the information needed to identify future market trends and a sourcing benchmark. Eurobike and Bike Europe will close this gap together in cooperation with the market research institute IFH Cologne in Germany.
KOBLENZ, Germany - The current market dynamic, with aggressive discounting campaigns and forecasts that frequently postpone market recovery, affects how investment funds view the market. At the peak of the market in 2020, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) bought just over 50% of the shares of Canyon Bicycles at €400 million. In the GBL 2024 financial report, only €260 million is left.
SCHRAMBERG, Germany - Even though the weakening economy and the ongoing destocking in the 2024 financial year hurt the turnover and earnings of stock-listed high-precision gear parts and components manufacturer hGears AG, the company says the cost and structural measures introduced are having the desired effect. These have also prepared the company for another difficult year.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - London-based design and marketing consultancy Conductor has announced its expansion into Asia with the opening of its second location in Taipei, Taiwan. Conductor has made a name for itself in the biking industry for its work with big brand names like Specialized, Canyon and Classified - as well as its recent acquisition by Gruppo Media.
MUNICH, Germany - The future of Gocycle has come into sharper focus following confirmation that its maker, Karbon Kinetics Ltd., has partnered with a new investor. Founder and designer Richard Thorpe first hinted at the development in November, describing the partner as a "highly respected and competent" player in the e-bike industry. Now operating under the umbrella of an undisclosed company, Gocycle is entering a new chapter - raising questions about who's behind the brand's next move and what this means for its presence in the European market.
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.
FRANKFURT, Germany - The investors' lounge at Eurobike was introduced at the peak of the investors' enthusiasm for the e-bike industry. The sales boom in 2020-2021 made venture capitalists line up for the bicycle industry and poured millions into the industry across Europe. But those days are over, and investor behavior has changed.
SHENZHEN, China - Folding bike manufacturer, Dahon is seeking capital and submitted an IPO prospectus to the Hong Kong stock exchange earlier this year. The company reports it is planning to list on the main board, with China Securities International serving as the sole sponsor.
GIRONA, Spain - Tech start-up Niche Mobility has secured €1.6 million in funding to power the next development stages of its patented ADTS electric motor for e-bikes. In March, the Spanish company closed its successful investment round, led by strategic partner Copreci and supported by the Mondragon Promotion Fund and regional investors.
FRANKFURT, Germany - The thriving e-bike market has long been dominated by a small number of drive system manufacturers. The rapid expansion of the market in the past years created room for new suppliers and their investors. Although some of these early entrants stepped out at the beginning of the decade, this trend has now reverted. More and more systems are being introduced on the market again, also by suppliers new to the industry. In this overview, we highlighted a few of them.
A new player is entering the European e-bike manufacturing scene. Phoenix Bicycle Europe has been established as a strategic joint venture between leading European and Chinese mobility companies. It is a new OEM electric bicycles manufacturer, backed by the legacy and industrial strength of Shanghai Phoenix Bicycle. The initiative aims to reshape the e-bike manufacturing landscape in Europe with a unique blend of heritage, innovation, and local production.
EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Just before Eurobike kicks off, Shimano has introduced Q'auto: an electronic shifting group for everyday bikes that doesn't require an external battery. The required power is generated via the rear hub, which functions as a dynamo. The system is designed for trekking, gravel, and light urban bikes, offering both automatic and manual shifting options.
FRANKFURT, Germany - In the last few years, the Eurobike kickoff event Leader's Night has established itself as a key event on the agenda for the industry's decision-makers. Executive speakers on stage provide expert knowledge for a resilient and future-oriented industry. Also this year, financial service providers, mobility investors and exceptional athletes that may contribute to new business models will enter the stage.
ANNECY, France - The developing X-Tend e-bike system for road and gravel was one of the more valuable assets the Bourrelier group acquired Mavic in 2020. Making the product ready for mass production, and subsequently for the market, was a big challenge. Mavic overcame this undertaking and is currently consulting interested OEMs.
ZEIST, the Netherlands - "A Global Bicycle Purchasing Index will professionalise the sector, as we have seen before in other industries. It gives you a verified outlook on what to expect in the supply chain, and not what you have heard from your connections, rumouring around in the sector." Bike Europe talked with Jeroen Both, former chief supply chain officer and member of the board of management at Accell Group, on the launch of Bike Europe's Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI) in partnership with Eurobike.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The countryside just north of Taichung houses one of those smaller, high-tech companies which characterise the bicycle industry supply chain in Taiwan. The family company Ora Engineering was founded in 1996 as an innovator in the metal forming and welding industry. Today the company supplies a range of frames, parts and components, particularly in titanium, to the global market with an export share of 98%.
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.
FRANKFURT, Germany - Probably the most exclusive networking event at Eurobike brings together a very diverse mix of industry insiders and market followers. In a few years time, Pink Thursday has built a reputation as a unique space for exchange, inspiration and new connections.
BAUNACH, Germany - Messingschlager GmbH & Co. KG has appointed Christoph Bantle and Toni Messingschlager to its executive management. This is part of the company's strategic realignment to place an even stronger focus on the needs of manufacturers and wholesalers in the bicycle industry.
HEERENVEEN, Netherlands - In a surprise move this week, Accell Group announced that newly appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Axel Salzmann will not be able to take up the role as initially planned due to "unforeseen personal circumstances."
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Brussels based trade association and industry lobby group Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) has announced the appointment of Paul Walsh as its new chief executive officer (CEO). He follows in the footsteps of Kevin Mayne who retired last year.