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.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The last five years have shown that the bicycle industry is lacking key economic indicators on a global level. The peak in sales in 2020-2021, followed by a market adjustment in 2022 and combined with an extremely high level of orders, resulted in an exceptional surplus of inventory. The industry has still not overcome this fluctuation. An industry-dedicated Purchasing Managers Index could have avoided or at least softened this financial blow.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands — As part of its One-Accell strategy, Accell Group has disinvested its production facility Accell Bisiklet in Manisa, Turkey. The new owner is Bisan Bisiklet, also based in Manisa, confirms Accell Group spokesperson Uneke Dekkers. The takeover amount remains unconfirmed.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The European cycling industry, after navigating a pandemic and the subsequently volatile market, is showing signs of a steady recovery, according to data from the Cycling Industries Europe's (CIE) annual survey among its members. Insights from the last few years of CIE surveys show a sector transitioning from cautious optimism to a more tangible stabilisation.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Human rights have become a key issue in industrial practices, progressing from a moral inclination to a regulatory necessity. This change is also taking place in the bicycle industry. The issue came to the forefront earlier this year when allegations of mistreatment of migrant workers in the Taiwanese bicycle industry surfaced. The Taipei Cycle show in March offered Bike Europe the opportunity to take stock of what is currently at play in Taiwan.

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.

SEYMOUR, Indiana - From Shark Tank winners to full-on manufacturers, Guardian Bikes has come a long way since its inception in 2013. The American kids' bike brand, with its patented SureStop braking system, has announced the launch of its new bicycle frame manufacturing operation at its existing assembly plant location in Seymour, Indiana.

HARTMANNSDORF, Germany - German bicycle manufacturer Diamant Fahrradwerke GmbH has concentrated on the German-speaking country market since its takeover by Trek Bicycle Corporation (aka Trek Group) in 2002. This year, celebrating its 140th anniversary, the East-German brand is also burgeoning in Benelux, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Poland.

BERLIN, Germany - Germany as a manufacturing base might not be the most logical choice for the bicycle industry when looking at the rising cost of labour. The strategic location in central Europe and the long heritage of production and engineering has always given the country a strong position in the industry. A group of industry leaders spoke out whether Germany is losing its appeal as a business location for bicycle companies or 'Made in Germany' is a concept for the future.

MÜHLTAL, Germany - Riese & Müller is setting new standards in sustainable logistics by becoming the first bicycle manufacturer to adopt reusable packaging for e-bike shipments across Europe. Following successful multi-month trials, the BikeBox will now be the standard packaging for over 1,000 dealers in Europe, significantly reducing environmental impact.

KORTRIJK, Belgium - The ambition to create a global distribution network was one of striking parts of Tenway's vision when they rushed onto the market in 2021. Today the brand has established its position and built a network throughout Europe. Tenways's area sales manager Europe Tony Vos elaborated on the outlook of the market for this young lifestyle brand.

COLOGNE, Germany - Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer Tern has announced plans to establish its first distribution office in Europe. Dubbed Tern ZE, the Cologne-based facility will begin operating on 1 July 2025 and should enable the firm to better support its customers in Europe.

FREIBURG, Germany - Bravobike GmbH, the subsidiary of leasing pioneer JobRad has signed an agreement with Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH, which claims to be a "specialist for logistics real estate and light industry in Germany and Europe." The agreement will see Bravobike make use of a 23,500 sqm property in Kabelsketal, Germany to accommodate the strong growth in the number of ex-lease bicycles that will become available for the second-hand market in the coming years.

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Shimano Europe is extending its cooperation with GXO, a company that manages outsourced supply chains and warehousing, to perform logistic services across Europe. The component manufacturer will now move its warehouse operations in Belgium to GXO's facility in Venray, the Netherlands.

Over the past decade, JCL Logistics has grown into perhaps the largest logistics service provider for the bicycle industry in the Benelux and West Germany. With the opening of a new storage facility for lithium-ion batteries, the company is set to deliver even more tailored services.

HAMBURG, Germany - 82% of supply chain professionals in China expect container prices to rise in January 2025, according to a survey by Container xChange. The survey also highlighted that supply chain participants are preparing for three key disruptions this year; tariffs, geopolitical risks, and structural overcapacity. These disruptions are expected to keep demand and supply dynamics volatile well into 2025 with a potential impact on the bicycle industry.

ALISO VIEJO, USA - The reorganisation of the Pon owned brand GT Bicycles has resulted in much speculation regarding the future of the brand. Some even assumed that GT Bicycles would shut down once all inventory is sold. According to a Pon spokesperson, the decision to restructure this subsidiary was taken, "to lay a solid foundation for its next chapter."

FRANKFURT, Germany - The World Bicycle Industrial Association (WBIA) has launched a new supply chain project aimed at guiding the cycling industry towards a sustainable future. The Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) Operating Model was validated during the WBIA's general assembly held during Eurobike Frankfurt 2024 and is built around the three pillars of education, energy and ecodesign.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - Eight prominent cycling industry companies have come together to co-develop and launch a Climate Action Training tailored to the cycling industry. The course aims to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the industry's global supply chains.

OBERWANGEN, Switzerland - Yamaha was the first e-bike brand this month which announced it was pulling out of the US market due to oversupply and slow demand. It turns out that the Japanese are not the only one. myStromer AG also announced it will discontinue its business in the US and Canada with immediate effect.

ROSSANO VENETO, Italy - Performance brand Wilier Triestina is adding to its expansion strategy in the Asian market. Youn Live, a Taiwanese company with which Wilier has worked for many years as a client and which was fully acquired in 2021, is being transformed into a strategic and logistical hub, becoming the centre of the brand's development in Asia and Oceania.