BRUSSELS, Belgium - That 2024 was a challenging year for European e-bike markets is no secret. How bad though, is now revealed in the latest EU e-bike import statistics published by Eurostat. The volume of e-bikes imports dropped 27% year-on-year to 642,000 units, slipping below the pre-covid level of 705,000 units in 2019. The import value fared even worse, with a 33% drop year-on-year.

WASHINGTON, US - As the world awaits a year of tariffs and tussles, there was good news for the bicycle market in the US in 2024. The number of non- electric bicycles imported into the country rose again following sharp declines since 2021, the latest US customs data shows. However, with China as the leading supplier, the market remains uncertain.

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.

LONDON, UK - The anti-dumping duty on bicycles and bicycle parts from China in the UK is now also under review. Last May the British Trade Remedies Authority already advised to revoke the anti-dumping duties on China made e-bikes in a preliminary recommendation. In case the same would be suggested for bicycles, it would bring a lot of uncertainty in the UK.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - E-bikes have become the top electric vehicle choice for European consumers, offering mobility, leisure, and health benefits. The e-bike also brought the much-wanted reshoring of production: e-bikes for European markets are predominantly made locally. While the e-bike continues to gain ground, bicycle sales have slipped away.

ZEIST, the Netherlands - With key markets reporting double-digit sales drops, inventories sky-high and heavy discounting attempting to rid the industry of burdening overstock, e-bike and bicycle imports into the EU nose-dived throughout 2023. With the first quarter of 2024 import data now available from Eurostat, a picture can be drawn of how this year's market might unfold… and there is a glimmer of hope.