The Belgium-based helmet company Lazer has created the world's first fully integrated rotational-impact technology: KinetiCore.

OSAKA, Japan - Increased production capacities in factories in Japan in combination with a booming cycling market, made 2021 a best-ever year for Shimano in both turn-over and profit. Shimano also notes that the economic outlook for 2022 and the electronic components shortages might impact the industry.

ARNHEM, the Netherlands - The announcement last week that Specialized starts to offer online bicycle and e-bike sales and distribute directly to the consumer was to be expected. The question was: when will the American brand decide to launch this new service and why then? Koos de Boer, of Specialized Europe explains.

POZZOLEONE, Italy - Saddle manufacturer, Selle Royal Group S.p.A., has officially announced its intention to proceed with the listing of its ordinary shares on the Italian stock exchange. If the conditions are met, the company will list on the Euronext STAR Milan, which promotes SME's to domestic and foreign investors.

DRESDEN, Germany - Bike24 Holding AG - the German e-commerce bike, running and swimming sports retailer that has been trading on the stock exchange since June, brought in first half year 2021 sales of €127.4 million. Compared to the first six months of the previous year, this is an increase of 44%.

BIEL/THUN, Switzerland - After decades of dealer loyalty, Swiss brand, Canyon, changed its name to Cylan in 2019 and switched its distribution to 'click & collect' in the first phase and then to direct sales. Stähli AG took a different route and launched its new e-bike brand

BERLIN, Germany - E-commerce giant Signa Sports United, has confirmed its intentions to go public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The German retailer has entered into a business combination agreement with Yucaipa Acquisition Corporation, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company. The combination also includes the long-awaited acquisition of the WiggleCRC Group.

REDHILL, England - UK start-up Leopard Technology, has created a smart security and connectivity solution for the cycling industry. Developed over the last 12 months with a European bicycle manufacturer, Leopard Lync, utilises the latest in IoT technology to "provide bicycle and accessory manufacturers with the tools to make any bike a smart bike".

MÜHLHAUSEN, Germany - Following a successful investor search, the German niche bicycle supplier Möve Bikes GmbH, is being taken over by Heristo Holding, a family-run group of companies from the German food industry.

HAIBACH, Germany - Akku Vision has launched two new models to its collection under the e-bike battery brand E-Bike Vision. For the popular Panasonic 36V Next Generation drive system, the 17Ah (605Wh) and 19Ah (691Wh) versions were both developed and assembled in Germany.

MUNICH, Germany - Financial news services report that Austrian investor René Benko is again investigating a possible IPO of his online sports platform Signa Sports United. As part of the Signa Retail Group, Signa Sports United is an e-commerce giant in cycling and other sports commodities with multiple webshops in Europe.

SWANSEA, United Kingdom - With bike crime rates surging in tandem with the increase of sales, Lightweight bike security brand, Litelok, has launched its toughest, flexible lock for bikes and motorcycles, the Litelok Core. The company says it has used the lockdown to develop their existing technology into the most secure lock yet.

The Shimano 2020 financial report reflects the positive statements on the performance of the international e-bike and bicycle industry. However, in bicycle components Shimano's 2020 net sales came in at JPY 297,777 million (€ 2,324 million); up 2.7% on the previous year.

TREVISO, Italy - Elastic Interface and Giro have extended their long-time partnership. The Italian cycling pads manufacturer has been Giro's premium partner for years. Now, that partnership includes the new Supernatural gloves, which incorporate an exclusive design co-developed specifically for Giro's gloves.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - European e-scooter operator, Voi Technology, has partnered with micromobility start-up, Luna, to bring computer vision and Edge AI technology to e-scooters to enable them to 'sense' pedestrians and recognise pavements.

VIENNA, Austria - After its successful market entry in Germany in 2018, Vello presented its innovations at the recent Autonomy Paris event. The current flagship product, Vello Bike+ is what they call "the world's first self-charging folding e-bike".

PARIS, France - The market leader in on-site bike repair in France, Cyclofix, has just raised €5 million to ensure its development in France. The investment will also be used to support expansion plans in Europe and to offer new services.

DOETINCHEM, The Netherlands - Taipei Cycle Show, Eurobike, Velovak, China Cycle, Sea Otter, the list goes on… 2020 has been a nightmare for tradeshows as cancellations continued throughout the year. Innovation and development within in the bicycle sector has not stopped

SUZHOU, China - Lithium battery manufacturer, Phylion, has developed a service platform based on their understanding of the e-bike battery. The system can be used to remotely solve various system diagnostic, communication and after-sales issues.

WÜRSELEN, Germany - Hamburg-based Peter Möhrle Holding (PMH), which focuses on corporate and real estate investments, is strengthening its bicycle market activities. It's newly founded Bike Holding PMH is taking a stake in BC GmbH & Co.KG, the parent company of bicycle online shop pioneer Bike-Components.