I'm writing this blog while sitting on a train to Amsterdam. Once I arrive and walk to my destination, I'll need to watch out for a fairly recent phenomenon: fatbikes. I live in a quiet little village, so I thought it wasn't that big of a deal. But whenever I come to Amsterdam, I suddenly understand the alarming Dutch news headlines much better. These things can be dangerous!
Michael Jackson is famous for many things, not least because of his misheard lyrics. Even native speakers have trouble understanding what he is actually singing and his version of "Come on!" is just inimitable: "Shamone!".
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.
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Several European countries have been implicated in a new investigation of customs fraud in connection with disassembled Chinese-made e-bikes. Led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Portugal, 16 searches were conducted yesterday in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, in order to collect evidence in an investigation codenamed 'Pedelecs'.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The total number of e-bikes entering the European Union (EU) in Q1 of 2025 is almost unchanged on a like-for-like basis compared to the same period last year, the latest data from Eurostat shows. With a 3% rise to almost 130,000 units, it is China and Cambodia which have significantly grown their contribution to the e-bikes entering the EU. Meanwhile, the number of e-bikes coming from Taiwan continues to decline.
SEATTLE, US - Rad Power Bikes, which began as a US director to consumer brand, has appointed Kathi Lentzsch as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With deep experience in transforming both consumer-facing and B2B businesses, including retail, she will oversee the company's strategic pivot to focus on physical retail.
DENKENDORF, Germany - In a strategic acquisition, Pinion owner Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), has acquired the FIT 2.0 business of Biketec GmbH from its owner, the German dealer cooperative, ZEG. The intention is to expand Pinion's portfolio in the core business of e-drives. The financial details of the BRP investment remains undisclosed.
BERLIN, January - NOCA, the Berlin-based software company pioneering master data management for the cycling industry, has added Christian Koll-Schwarze to its team as Business Development Lead. With more than 20 years of experience in the cycling industry, his role will involve positioning NOCA to transform the way cycling businesses manage their data in the OEM and aftermarket.
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Four suspects have been arrested in The Netherlands on suspicion of large-scale customs fraud involving bicycles imported from China. The value of the alleged fraud is over €7 million.
ZEIST, The Netherlands - In late 2023, after a difficult year, industry insiders were looking hopefully towards the new year. However, predictions of inventory level recovery and stability in the market were pushed back at every contact moment during 2024; from Taipei Cycle at the beginning of the year, to Taichung Bike Week at the end. This 'hope' was abandoned in the second half of the year as insolvencies and closures began to dominate the headlines. As hopes now push forward to those that have 'survived to 2025', here, a perhaps unwelcome look back at 2024.
LONDON, United Kingdom - In a move to deter consumer fears about e-bike battery safety, the UK cycling sector, including industry trade bodies and an e-bike alliance which includes Bosch eBike Systems have joined forces in a national 'E-bike Positive' campaign. Not only an educational resource, but it will also encourage UK policymakers to better protect consumers and call on industry stakeholders to be more attentive.
FRANKFURT, Germany - Giant Group paid considerable attention to its ESG efforts on its booth at this year's Eurobike. One of the features was the Pre rCarbon push bike, the "r" signifying recycled versions of raw materials. Weighing around 2.4kg it is Giant's first ever complete bike application using its recycle long carbon fiber manufacturing technology.
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Approximately 3,500 fatbikes have been seized by the Dutch authorities due to not meeting the legal requirements of an e-bike, but that of a moped. This requires a different type approval. Fatbikes, in some cases tampered with, have become immensely popular amongst younger riders in the Netherlands prompting calls for more law enforcement in the market.
LINCOLN, California - US company, Wren Sports, known for their inverted forks, bike packing racks and durable components, has announced a series of business developments across Europe following a successful 18 months of steady sales growth and new product development.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Similar to the advanced collision-avoidance radar systems found in vehicles, Terasilic's new Bike Radar Sensor utilises cutting-edge 24GHz radar sensing technology. Launched at this year's Taipei Cycle show, the technology enables the sensor to detect objects up to 190 metres behind the cyclist.
REICHSHOF, Germany - Tyre manufacturer Schwalbe has reported a turnover of €237 million in 2023, down 30% from a record year in 2022. Dampened consumer sentiment and high inventory levels at all trade levels are cited to have had an impact. Nevertheless, the turnover was still well above the pre-corona level. In 2019, turnover reached €210 million.
HELSINKI, Finland - Vapaus Bikes Finland Oy, has secured a €15 million loan to drive growth and international expansion in the employee benefit bikes sector. Besides scaling up in Finland and Sweden, further internationalisation is being considered. Boasting a mature and scalable business model, the mobility service provider has seen its net revenues rise from €4.5 million in 2021 to over €30 million in 2023.
UTRECHT, The Netherlands - Shift Cycling Culture is extending its series of workshops to further engage and educate industry stakeholders on sustainable practices in the cycling industry. The on and offline workshops available includes the sixth edition of the Circular Design Course in collaboration with CIRCO. This workshop aims to put the circular economy at the heart of a company's product innovation.
SAINT QUENTIN, France - Yamaha Motor Europe has announced that its wholly-owned European manufacturing site in Saint Quentin, France, previously known as MBK Industrie (MBK), has been re-named Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe or YMME for short. Besides e-bike assembly, YMME will also start to produce drive units for OEM customers in March 2024.
DARMSTADT, Germany - With a heavy lean towards the automotive sector and the energy transition, this years' Battery Experts Forum provided an opportunity to catch up on the latest developments in the battery sector. Policy, regulations and new technologies were the dominant talking points in this growing market. "This is a goldrush moment in the battery industry," one speaker declared as battery output is expected to grow three-fold by 2030. But where does Europe fit into this growth?
