OBERRIED, Switzerland - Faster than expected, the Swiss retail group Migros has found a new owner for its Bike World chain of stores. Industry insider and jack-of-all-trades Thomas Binggeli has acquired most of the bicycle store chain via his investment company Thömus AG. The takeover will officially take effect in February 2025.
FRANKFURT, Germany - Sharing know-how and best practices have become an important part of Eurobike. The annual industry get-together has become a global presentation of every aspect the bicycle and e-bike business has to offer. From 3-7 July 2024, industry experts will gather in Frankfurt for the flagship trade fair for bicycle and light electric mobility.
ULFT, the Netherlands - The growing market for accessories like baskets, bags and child seats also resulted in an increasing number of different quick fastening systems. Concerned about the consumer's interests, Basil owner Martijn van Balveren developed an open-source mounting system. Today it is specified by over 100 bicycle and accessories brands.
In this edition of Bike Europe: Accell Group, Taipei Cycle Show, Spanish industry overview, EU review anti-dumping duties
BERLIN, Germany - European shared e-bike and e-scooter providers Tier and Dott have preliminarily agreed to merge. With a fresh investment of €60 million, the joint entity will continue to operate under the TIER and Dott brands combining "the expertise from both operating models and incorporating the advanced technology from each service."
HELSINKI, Finland - Vapaus Bikes Finland Oy, a bike leasing service which combines e-mobility, digital solutions, and welfare development in its service model has been recognised as one of the most pioneering startups in the mobility sector across Europe. With a turnover of €18.8 the company is now eyeing market growth across Europe.
PARIS, France - Despite the difficulties facing manufacturers, distributors and the vast majority of French bicycle stores, this year's Pro Days enabled exhibitors to present the latest innovations in all product categories, with a particular focus on e-bikes.
PARIS, France - In early May the French government presented a plan to develop the bicycle industry in France. With a €2 billion budget, the plan will run from 2023 to 2027 and has several goals. This year already €250 million has been released. The French government wants to strengthen the place of cycling in the economy.
LONDON, UK - The British BGF investment fund has taken a minority stake to support Brompton's ambition to expand on international markets. Brompton Bikes confirmed to Sky News and RetailWeek a £19 million (€21.8 million) equity raise to fund the expansion.
ZEIST, The Netherlands - The April edition of Bike Europe magazine (issue 2/2023) is now available to read online in our digital magazine section. As the international industry returned to Taipei after a 3-year hiatus, this edition examines the mood at the Taipei Cycle show alongside the latest data from key European e-bike markets.
LONDON, UK - Operating over 600 automotive servicing and repair centres across the UK, Kwik Fit is now diversifying into the bicycle sector through a strategic partnership with bike repair network, Fettle. The decision to enter this rapidly expanding market came after the success of the Dutch e-bike service concept introduced by Kwik Fit last year.
TAIPEI, Taiwan - The positive voices on the show floor saying people are back at Taipei Cycle after a 3-year pause, don't reveal the doubt and worries about the current market situation. The long-term outlook is still seen by many as very positive, but the challenging difficult market conditions in 2023 can't be neglected.
BAMBERG, Germany - A European subsidiary of the Chinese Mivice manufacturer M&S Driving Systems Ltd. was founded in July 2022. In March the company marked the official opening of the brand-new Mivice European headquarters in Germany.
TALINN, Estonia - To strengthen their joint position in the micro-mobility industry, two Estonian companies Ampler and Kõu Mobility Group have signed an investment and share-swap agreement. Kõu Mobility took over 51% of the Ampler share for an undisclosed amount.
BIELEFELD, Germany - The end has come for the bicycle production and trade consortium owned by the Prophete and Lönne families. The involvement of the Prophete family goes back to 1908 when the company was founded, while the Lönne family stepped in in 1970 to build a cycling business that is active worldwide.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Urban e-bike brand Cowboy has achieved B Corp status, one of the first e-bike brands to do so. The brand controls the sustainability of its supply chain, packaging and the recycling of its bike components. To coincide with B Corp, Cowboy has also relaunched its Circular scheme where e-bikes are refurbished by in-house mechanics and given a second life.
KYIV, Ukraine - The war in the Ukraine has become very close and personal for Paul Lange Group with the tragic loss of an employee from Paul Lange Ukraine. The 54 year old Shimano sales manager Maksym Andrushenko died on 17 October while serving his country.
ZWICKAU, Germany - Hong Kong-based electronic components giant Johnson Electric Holdings Limited is taking over an 80% majority stake in German drive system manufacturer, Pendix GmbH. Together, they will develop a new integrated mid-motor for bicycle manufacturers that will be launched in 2025.
LYON, France - Eovolt, the French folding e-bike manufacturer, has completed a fundraising of €16 million from venture capital firms Raise Impact and Financière Arbevel. The founders of Eovolt Luca Chevalier and Baptiste Fullen keep a majority share of the company.
FULDA, Germany - The Punjab Government has expressed their gratitude to Büchel Industrie-Holding GmbH for their support in manufacturing bicycles in Punjab and exploring the investment opportunities in the area. Recently a high-level delegation from Punjab visited the company in Germany during which the Prime Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, joined the meeting via video.
