Riese & Müller, German premium e-bike manufacturer, has announced its withdrawal from the United States market, choosing to "reconcentrate its resources" on developing its European sales and dealer network. Despite the recent positive policy developments for the US bicycle industry, the overall volatility of the nation's import market appears to have claimed another victim.
The United States Supreme Court decision to strike down US President Donald Trump's tariffs, followed by his swift executive order to implement new 10% tariffs, has thrown the global bicycle industry into disarray. In the wake of this political jockeying for control over imports and the billions of dollars they represent, European Union bike importers now face a complicated legal process to recover what they lost to the now-defunct IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs.
The growing complexity of the e-bike and bicycle landscape, across business, legal and mobility, requires industry alignment from time to time. Europe is left with some small-scale or national gatherings since the German industry association ZIV pulled out of Eurobike. The United States industry organisation PeopleForBikes developed the Bicycle Leadership Conference as the country's foremost education and networking event for the sector. Can this format be adapted for the European market?
A persistent and far-reaching campaign by the United States trade organisation PeopleForBikes to prevent bicycles and e-bikes from becoming subject to high metal tariffs has paid off. US President Donald Trump announced in early April that the bicycle industry would not be subject to the new Section 232 steel and aluminium tariffs, which would have cost manufacturers millions on imported steel and aluminium products.
United States importers are suffering from whiplash this month after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, only for them to be replaced within hours by near-identical executive orders. What consequences does this all have for brands trying to do business in the US market, is suing a viable option to recoup some costs?
American e-bike company Rad Power Bikes seems to have ended its unlucky streak this week, securing a buyer to take over the company following its bankruptcy announcement in late December. Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV) has committed to purchasing the company, including its inventory, intellectual property, software, furniture and more, for $13.2 million (€11 million), according to media reports.
