TOKYO, Japan - The bicycle industry in Japan is known to function in isolation, apart from global trends. Domestic sales are largely dominated by low-value, Chinese-made bicycles. But the market is waking up, seeing the benefits of cycling as a means of transport and the positive side effects on health. "The Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI) developed various initiatives to open up the market and take it to the next level, including an annual show and market data gathering," said Professor Tetsuya Komagata, President of the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute (JBPI), in an interview with Bike Europe. Komagata has extensively studied the history of the Japan-China bicycle industry and offered his insights.

DENKENDORF, Germany - As the number of bicycle manufacturers installing the Motor.Gearbox.Unit continues to grow, gearbox specialist, Pinion is placing more emphasis on training and education for retailers in key European markets.

NANTOU, Taiwan - As a company founded in 2020, Yota Cycles has witnessed both sides of the bicycle market pendulum. In the current downswing, the e-bike manufacturer looks positively toward the future.

VIENNA, Austria - The first-quarter sales numbers for 2025 are in, and Austria's kids' bicycle supplier Woom GmbH has glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel with its strongest numbers yet.

COLOGNE, Germany - Georg Honkomp's decision to step down as chairman of German ZEG, Europe's largest dealer cooperative, had a big impact on the whole organisation. But what else can be expected after he was on the board of directors for more than three decades? The Honkomp era is over as the new board announced a sweeping change of leadership in most of ZEG's subsidiaries.

OTTOBRUNN, Germany - Porsche eBike Performance GmbH has brought two new leaders on board its management team to bolster the company's leadership body and shape the company's future. Denise Silva has been appointed as Director Product Definition and Thorsten Weppert as Director Corporate Quality.