BERLIN, Germany - Increasing regulatory challenges are once again placing a heavy burden on manufacturers of bicycles, components and accessories in 2024, states the Germany industry association ZIV. In his 2024 outlook, ZIV head Burkhard Stork calls for a more consistent industry policy on all national and EU levels.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - High-level policymakers, industry experts, and cycling stakeholders came together at the annual CONEBI conference last month to foster a political dialogue on the EU Industrial Transition and the European Cycling Declaration. "We have a momentum in Europe to push for stronger policies in favour of cycling and the cycling industry," said MEP Karima Delli during the event held at the European Parliament.
PEKAN NENAS, Malaysia - Shimano is having to investigate one its Malaysia suppliers, Kwang Li Industry, following an investigation by a UK newspaper which uncovered labour abuse allegations at the factory. Having had very few human-rights incidents compared to other industries, has the bicycle industry been too naïve about the quality of its Asian suppliers?
LUDHIANA, India - India is in the midst of framing standards for e-bikes as it aspires to step-up its export to the EU market. But first, the domestic industry needs to gel the local standards to become compatible with European standards.
LONDON, UK - Quality issues with e-bike battery chargers have caused reasons for concern in the UK but also in EU countries. One of the largest online sellers of e-bike chargers and conversion kits, Wish.com has banned the sales of the products citing safety risks. Yet there are serious concerns about the enforcement of the new policy.
BERLIN, Germany - Europe-wide regulations and experiences for speed pedelecs vary per country. The Dutch mobility consultancy Mobycon and German industry association ZIV have now made a first comparative study on this market in in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
LUDHIANA, India - The Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) is in the midst of drafting standards for electric power assisted cycles. Standards for electric bicycles are likely to take final shape in the next six months and be ready for implementation by the middle of 2024, industry insiders involved in drafting the standards have said.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a final round of negotiations, the Council and the European Parliament finally reached an agreement on the Regulation establishing a framework to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, better known as the Critical Raw Materials Act. This regulation also impacts the "light transport equipment" or e-bikes according to category L.
LUXEMBURG - The European Public Prosecutor's Office reports that it has filed two separate indictments at the Court of Antwerp, Belgium for the evasion of customs duties on the importation of e-bikes from China. In both cases they are accused of presenting incorrect customs declarations in order to evade anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
SCHWEINFURT, Germany - Tuning an e-bike highly increases the risk of the batteries catching on fire. Driving at higher speed requires more energy output which does not match with the setting of the battery management system. Velotech expert Ernst Brust therefore calls for a mandatory integration of a uniform Bluetooth interface.
