The international bicycle industry, once heralded as a long-term growth story thanks to the e-bike boom, now finds itself grappling with uncertainty. Tariffs, shifting trade flows, regulatory ambiguity and fragile consumer demand are reshaping strategies across the value chain. Four leading manufacturers — Bosch eBike Systems, Schwalbe, Bafang and Velo —paint a picture of an industry both challenged and transformed, where resilience increasingly depends on innovation and adaptability.

Bosch has again chosen to work closely alongside TRP, the premium brand of the Taiwanese component specialist Tektro, to focus on advancing innovations in e-bikes. In their first collaboration, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) was the focus. Now, automatic electronic shifting systems take centre stage.

REUTLINGEN, Germany - Since establishing Bosch eBike Systems within the Bosch Group in 2009, the company has leveraged technological competencies from automotive electronics and sensor systems to power tool battery technology. For Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer, their systematic technology transfer approach, building on Bosch's foundational expertise in electric drive systems, is one of the three key elements of their success within the bicycle industry.

LETOHRAD, Czech Republic - To improve the shifting operation with mechanical gear systems Gearsensor.com made by Czech based Agentura Repro will become compatible with Bosch eBike Systems from Spring 2026.

GENEVA, Switzerland - In what economists are calling a "substantial de-escalation," the United States and China have agreed to a temporary cut of 115 percentage points to reciprocal tariffs on each other's goods. The volatility and unpredictability of the market as a result of the US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs is creating a new problem for the bicycle industry, which was nearing stabilisation after previous inventory problems.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The fierce discussion 2 years ago on the new battery regulation implemented by the European Commission seem to have moved to the background. The challenging market conditions appear to be more relevant than a new European regulation which will be implemented in January 2027. One element in this regulation is that the single cell replacement for e-bike batteries would cause serious safety issues according to many industry insiders.