TOKYO, Japan - E-bikes were the driving force of Japan's bicycle market in 2014. Despite the fact that sales in units dropped; money-wise the Japanese market was still able to record growth. However, it's doubtful this will continue in 2015 when looking the latest figures.
DIJON, France - The news came out already earlier, but was only published officially today. Accell Group's brand Cycles Lapierre is making a return to the to the UCI World Tour as the official bike sponsor for Team Picnic PostNL. The team will compete on Lapierre bicycles for the next four years.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Starting in 2025, products and raw materials contributing to deforestation will need to comply with new regulations. Importers will have to prove that their products, such as rubber used for bicycle tyres, have not contributed to deforestation.
Czech rubber manufacturer Rubena has completed the withdrawal from the previous Mitas brand, and is focusing on refreshing its original Rubena brand for the entire range of tyres and inner tubes for bicycles.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Qwic was always known as one of the early innovators in the e-bike market in the Netherlands. According to Qwic an unexpected tax bill made brand owner Hartmobile decide to apply for insolvency in self-administration last week, followed by a bankruptcy this morning. This decision will also impact the start of the new automatic frame production line at VDL in Breda, the Netherlands.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Micromobility.com is the first take-over candidate for VanMoof which comes forward in public. The American e-scooter and e-bike manufacturer published an announcement stating, "we submitted a non-binding bid to acquire VanMoof Amsterdam."
ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands - The Shift Cycling Culture initiative motivated the industry to start talking about sustainability. In the meantime a long list of CEOs and company owners signed the industry-wide climate commitment. "Also the bicycle industry has a responsibility to cut CO2 emissions," says Erik Bronsvoort, director of Shift Cycling Culture.
SAALFELD, Germany - After V Frames successfully began mass production of injection-molded carbon composite frames, the major focus is now increasing the performance of the raw materials, including stiffness. A recent development agreement with chemical specialist Lehvoss Group should take the products to the next level.
Being able to respond even better and faster to the needs of the rapidly growing market was the main goal of the relocation of KMC Chain Europe to Heerenveen in the Netherlands. At the new location, which is more than twice as large, the originally Taiwanese company has made significant efficiency improvements.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Pon Holdings continues to expand its position in the bicycle market with the take-over of scaleup Veloretti. This e-bike and bicycle brand was founded in 2012 and the company expects to generate a turn-over of € 42 million this year.
NUREMBERG, Germany - In three of Europe's main e-bike markets, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, the average retail price for e-bikes have increased by 12% this year compared with 2021. This was reported by the recent GfK E-Bike Monitor.
HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group has appointed Francesca Gamboni as Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) and member of the Board of Management. Following an extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders on December 15 she will start in her new position on 1 February 2022.
NIEUW VENNEP, the Netherlands - Investment company, Korys, of the Belgian Colruyt family has taken a minority share in the Dutch bicycle builder, Santos. The investment should help Santos in its international expansion. Founder Robbert Rutgrink remains CEO of Santos, and Robert Vaneman remains financial director.
DIEREN, the Netherlands - Announcements of e-bike production cuts in Europe due to the component's supply chain constraints were to be expected. The question was: when? Today Gazelle spokesman Huib de Vries confirmed that the
VIENNA, Austria - Pon Holding's investment company Ponooc has stepped into Austrian bike route supplier Bikemap. The undisclosed 7-figure investment will be used for further growth of the app, including product development and scaling of the team.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The technology of nano-sponge silicon has been applied successfully to solar panels. When this proved to work well the R&D focus switched to the use of the technology in batteries. With the material, lithium-ion batteries enjoy a 40% capacity increase. And it could reduce the weight of e-bike batteries substantially.
REICHSHOF, Germany - Schwalbe has introduced its first tyre exclusively for cargo bikes. The tyre manufacturer says the robust construction of the Schwalbe Pick-Up makes it capable of handling loads up to 300 kg rolling, while being stable, low-maintenance and durable.
ARNHEM, the Netherlands - An electric cargo bike with a special hydrogen extender to double its range will soon find its way on the road. French Pragma Industries introduced the hydrogen e-bike already some years ago. In the Netherlands, Pragma is now cooperating with Urban Arrow and the Arnhem-Nijmegen Business school in the 'Everything about Hydrogen' Foundation to develop the HydroCargo.
As one of the leading bicycle tyre suppliers with their brand Schwalbe, Ralf Bohle GmbH reports a boom in sales after people discovered the bicycle for virus-free transport and sport during the pandemic. For Schwalbe almost all bike segments experienced benefits - most of all e-bikes,
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - enviolo has announced that industry veteran and former CEO of Derby Cycle, Mathias Seidler, has joined the company's board of directors. He took up the position in December 2020.
