Your service operator would take care of all your cycling needs locally and, if chosen, abroad. All you would have to do is pay a monthly subscription rate and commit to a 1-3 year contract.

MÜHLTAL, Germany - The precarity of the United States market and ongoing tariff uncertainty has taken a toll once again, as Riese & Müller announced this week it will pause all US shipments and re-evaluate following the latest 50% steel tariffs, "and their implications."

WASHINGTON D.C., United States - United States President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order this week extending the current pause on high US tariffs for Chinese goods and clarifying trade agreements made with the European Union.

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.

VILLORBA, Italy - Cicli Pinarello is opening a new subsidiary in Shanghai to directly manage its operations in the growing Chinese market. Pinarello China Ltd will be the group's fifth directly managed subsidiary, joining existing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and South Africa.

LYON, France - Folding e-bike manufacturer Eovolt has its sights set on being more than just that. To support further internationalisation and entry into other non-electric categories, the French manufacturer is rebranding to UTO. "It is a new name to symbolise the brand we have become over the years," CEO Baptiste Fullen told Bike Europe during Eurobike.

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Shimano Europe has launched Nextgen Mechanics, a new call for evidence aimed at tackling the growing shortage of skilled bicycle mechanics across Europe. The collaborative initiative with Cycling Industries Europe aims to bring in a broad alliance of stakeholders committed to strengthening the profession, raising standards, and inspiring the next generation of cycle mechanics.

LONDON, United Kingdom - The total bicycle market in the UK saw sales drop a further 2% year-on-year in 2024 to a new low this century. This latest drop continues the long post-COVID downturn which began in the second half of 2021. However, the latest figures from the Bicycle Association (BA) suggest there is light at the end of the tunnel.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - In recognition of its ESG activities, Giant Group has joined the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets Index, making it the first company in the bicycle industry to have this distinction.

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.

BEVERWIJK, The Netherlands - Dutch e-bike and electric cargo bike manufacturer Optima Cycles has acquired compatriot Dolly Bikes, which focuses on the high-end e-cargobike segment. With this strategic acquisition, Optima Cycles, known for the brands Dutch ID and Lovens, aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing electric cargo bike market and create new growth opportunities.

VIENNA, Austria - Children and youth bike manufacturer Woom has appointed Bernd Hake as CEO. He succeeds Paul Fattinger, who is leaving by mutual agreement after three years in charge. According to the company, the change in management is a further step in its development from a start-up to an established international brand.

OBERWANGEN, Switzerland - After 11 years at Stromer, co-CEO Tomi Viiala has decided to step back from the operational business and leave the company. The reason given is to "spend more time with his family, who live in Finland." Viiala will remain a shareholder of Stromer.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over the first nine months of 2024, registrations of second-hand speed pedelecs in Belgium increased by +17.4% compared to the same period in 2023, and by +39.3% compared to 2022, according to figures released by trade association Traxio. However, for new speed pedelecs a reverse trend is seen as sales dropped 17.9% compared to 2023.

FRANKFURT, Germany - A sign of more advanced technology entering the e-bike market was Star Union's magnetic gear motor at this year's Eurobike. The motor uses magnetic force instead of mechanical force to offer maximum efficiency of 90%. The prototype displayed is being targeted for mass production in Q2 2025.

MADRID, Spain - Bicycle production in Spain reached 171,200 units during the first half of 2024, data from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism shows. Although this represents a 6.4% decrease on the same period last year, production has grown to around 30,000 units per month during the second quarter of 2024.

ZEIST, The Netherlands - The volume of e-bikes exported from Taiwan has been in a constant freefall since January 2023. At this point it was clear that the market was flooded and delayed shipments were reaching weak purchasing markets. Throughout 2023, the number of e-bikes shipped from Taiwan dropped each month; from 102,575 in January to 37,597 in December. The latest Q1 figures of 2024 show signs of stability being resumed in the export market, albeit at a considerably low level.

LONDON, UK - Existing tariffs on e-bikes imported into the UK from China range from 18.8% to 79.3%. These measures were transitioned when the UK left the EU following Brexit. Following a period of investigation the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has now deemed that keeping anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes "would not be in economic interest of the UK" and should be revoked.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - With last mile cargobike logistics increasing, accessory manufacturer Sunny Wheel has added a front fender mirror specific for cargobikes to its range. Besides new products, the company has also opened a new regional sales office in the Netherlands to support further growth in Europe.

OSAKA, Japan - Shimano has launched a new affordable component system, Shimano Essa, which will be compatible with the bicycle component maker's current 8-speed flat-bar Acera, Altus and Tourney TX systems. Also, the Cues range launched last year, has been optimised to include Short Reach, an ergonomic design for riders with small hands.