TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Around 150,000 e-bike units were exported from Taiwan to the European Union in the first nine months of 2025, the latest customs data shows. This is a 3% increase compared to the same period last year - a welcome sign of market stabilisation for the Taiwanese supply chain. However, total exports reached just over 270,000 units from January to September, representing a 3% year-on-year decline. The spotlight is now on how this develops as the year closes, with the rollout of United States tariffs and human rights accusations on Taiwanese companies bringing disruptions to trade.

GIRONA, Spain - "We're not just replacing derailleurs — we're replacing complexity," says Marc Barceló, CEO and founder of Niche Mobility. The new player in the e-bike system market has built a fully digital drivetrain from scratch and is on course for an OEM launch in model year 2027. A significant step forward for the start-up was the display of prototypes at this year's Sea Otter Europe in its hometown of Girona.

RODGAU, Germany - The new owner of Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Chaos Sports Inc., is pushing forward in the European market. With the takeover of long-standing distributor BikeAction GmbH, which serves Germany, Austria, the Benelux, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia, the Canadians are reaffirming their strong commitment to Europe.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Ahooga, the Belgian folding e-bike brand, has raised €5.5 million in a new funding round aimed at developing its Max folding bike platform and expanding its international footprint.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Cowboy's relationship with French brand partner Rebirth Group is evolving once again as Rebirth prepares to become a majority shareholder of the e-bike brand. An 80% stake in the company is anticipated. While the exact details are still under wraps, Cowboy's spokesperson did confirm to Bike Europe that discussions with Rebirth are progressing "very positively."

Germany/the Netherlands - What is the market outlook for 2026? This question was on everybody's lips at the Taichung Bike Week which took place from 16-19 September. After three years of predicting that next year would be better, industry peers have become cautious in providing any forecasts. The Global Bicycle Purchasing Index (GBPI), introduced by Eurobike, Bike Europe and IFH Cologne, provides the industry with an indicator which looks ahead at expected industry trends.

HONGKONG - Folding bike specialist Dahon Tech (02543.HK) officially debuted on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange today. It even garnered the attention of the Hong Kong capital market as a 'Star Stock' of 2025. On its first day of trading, Dahon Tech opened at 67.5 RMB (€ 8.07), a 36.4% increase from its listing price of 49.5 RMB (€ 5.92). The high and low reached 69 RMB (€ 8.25) and 56.4 RMB (€ 6.74), respectively, before closing at 60 RMB (€ 7.17). Half-day trading volume was 6.7537 million shares, totalling 455 million RMB (€ 54.4 million).

VIENNA, Austria - "It's not a helmet, it's an airbag." That's the tagline for the Hövding 4, the new debut model for the Swedish brand now owned by the Austrian iSi Group. The latest wearable airbag design has been hyped as a complete reboot from previous models, the last of which came under fire for safety concerns.

POZZOLEONE, Italy - Sustainability, production efficiency and manufacturing in Europe spurred investments at the Selle Royal Group in recent years. The Stracciatella project, launched in November 2024, was a big step forward in sustainability, but also in quality control. During a visit, Bike Europe got all the details on this project and more.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - The pressure on Taiwan to align its labour governance with international standards is increasing. The recent United States import ban on Giant Group is not seen as an isolated case. Many firms in Taiwan's manufacturing sectors, which rely heavily on high-intensity, low-wage labour, engage in practices that constitute forced labour, the Taiwan Human Rights Commission said in a statement.

UTRECHT, the Netherlands - Cargo bikes are still regarded as pivotal in the transformation of urban logistics. Unlike the bicycle and e-bike industries, the cargo bike market is primarily business-to-business and new concepts are often developed in collaboration with B2B partners. While cargo bikes are displayed at the fringes of bicycle or logistics trade shows, the market remains highly promising.

GIRONA, Spain - The Spanish bicycle industry is facing 2025 with moderate optimism. 38.9% of companies have reported increased turnover in the first half of the year, while only 25.9% reported declines, according to the results of AMBE's second bicycle sector barometer, presented at Sea Otter Europe. Additionally, a new €20 million government subsidy has been secured to boost e-bike sales in the country.

WASHINGTON DC, United States - The number of bicycles imported into the United States in the first half of 2025 has dropped 25% year-on-year. When looking at Q2 specifically this is a 35% drop compared to 2024. The impact of tariffs and trade wars has seen China's relevance as US bicycle supplier slip considerably.

ROOSENDAAL, the Netherlands - In Q2, from April to June, the Dutch bicycle market turnover rate rose significantly, averaging around 10% per month, according to figures from national consultancy group H&L Benchmark Group. This translates to 7.7% turnover growth for the first half of 2025, compared to the same period last year. In addition, about half of the H&L Benchmark Group is seeing a further reduction in excessive inventory.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - During the first six months of 2025, 312,000 e-bikes were imported into the European Union, the latest data from Eurostat shows. This is a 9% drop compared to the same period last year. As predicted, the positive signs of a full market recovery in Q1 have not continued into Q2. As Taiwan struggles to regain its dominance as the European e-bike supplier, Cambodia and China continue to increase their share of the market.

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The new European Union guidelines on battery repairs will soon take effect, but whether the bicycle industry is sufficiently prepared remains to be seen. NOWOS founder Prins Doornekamp said he is surprised by the limited knowledge among both manufacturers and bicycle retailers.

LA MASSANA, Andorra - The mountain bike brand Commencal is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Started in 2000, founder Max Commencal focused on designing and producing high-quality bikes, particularly for gravity-focused mountain biking disciplines. How does Max perceive the market today, and what can we expect from this Pyrenean mountain biking pioneer?

SUZHOU, China - Over the past 22 years, Bafang has consistently prioritised technological innovation as fundamental to the company's development. With this approach the motor manufacturer has successfully navigated the storm of the previous years. "Whether in good times or bad, demand-driven innovation is urgently needed," CEO Qinghua Wang explains to Bike Europe.

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.