BERLIN, Germany - The growing importance of cycling in the mobility mix brings new challenges to the industry. Consumer expectations and product requirements are shifting quickly and will continue to change in the years ahead. The 'user of tomorrow' was the key topic at a recent ZIV Technology Conference. What does this mean for construction, safety, and design? How is the industry meeting these demands with technological innovation?

BRUSSELS, Belgium - In an open letter, European manufacturers, logistics companies, and cycling logistics operators have urged the European Commission to maintain the existing legal framework under EU Regulation 168/2013, including its application to cargo bikes. "Recent proposals by the German industry organisation ZIV to cap assistance ratios, peak power and vehicle weight would undermine real-world usability," the letter stated.

FRANKFURT, Germany - Industry leaders have openly shared their opinions on the developments surrounding Eurobike with Bike Europe. Complaints about the show were already widely discussed during and after the last edition, but the future of the event came into full focus after the statement of the German industry bodies to pull out of Eurobike. For decades, the show seemed a fixed element in the industry calendar, but even Eurobike cannot escape the recent dramatic changes in the industry.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The dispute between Eurobike organiser Fairnamics and the German industry bodies ZIV and Zukunft Fahrrad will have a long-lasting impact on the global bicycle industry. ZIV and Zukunft Fahrrad laid down their vision in a 10-point plan submitted to Eurobike sometime in late July, which was initially published in German only. At the request of Bike Europe, the official document was translated by the industry bodies, as this discussion concerns the wider international industry.

FRANKFURT, Germany - The disruption in the international bicycle industry has also reached the trade show landscape. The Taichung Bike Week experienced its weakest edition in years this September. This was followed by last week's announcement that German industry bodies ZIV and Zukunft Fahrrad will end their cooperation with Eurobike. For over three decades, Eurobike has been the premier global platform for the German industry to showcase itself to the world. What the future holds is still uncertain.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The dispute on future e-bike regulations in the European committee where e-bike standards are developed, the CEN/TC 333*, has entered the next level of argumentation. Until now, many questioned the German industry association ZIV over its standpoint. Yesterday, ZIV published a statement claiming that, "our member companies once again explicitly endorsed the proposed technical parameters, giving the association a clear mandate exceeding 80%."