KOBLENZ, Germany - The current market dynamic, with aggressive discounting campaigns and forecasts that frequently postpone market recovery, affects how investment funds view the market. At the peak of the market in 2020, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) bought just over 50% of the shares of Canyon Bicycles at €400 million. In the GBL 2024 financial report, only €260 million is left.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The total number of e-bikes entering the European Union (EU) in Q1 of 2025 is almost unchanged on a like-for-like basis compared to the same period last year, the latest data from Eurostat shows. With a 3% rise to almost 130,000 units, it is China and Cambodia which have significantly grown their contribution to the e-bikes entering the EU. Meanwhile, the number of e-bikes coming from Taiwan continues to decline.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Human rights have become a key issue in industrial practices, progressing from a moral inclination to a regulatory necessity. This change is also taking place in the bicycle industry. The issue came to the forefront earlier this year when allegations of mistreatment of migrant workers in the Taiwanese bicycle industry surfaced. The Taipei Cycle show in March offered Bike Europe the opportunity to take stock of what is currently at play in Taiwan.

SCHRAMBERG, Germany - Even though the weakening economy and the ongoing destocking in the 2024 financial year hurt the turnover and earnings of stock-listed high-precision gear parts and components manufacturer hGears AG, the company says the cost and structural measures introduced are having the desired effect. These have also prepared the company for another difficult year.

SHENZHEN, China - Folding bike manufacturer, Dahon is seeking capital and submitted an IPO prospectus to the Hong Kong stock exchange earlier this year. The company reports it is planning to list on the main board, with China Securities International serving as the sole sponsor.

STAVENGER, Norway - Podbike, the four-wheeled e-bike manufacturer, has announced its bankruptcy filing, citing an "extended period of financial constraints." The Norwegian company had previously capitalised on a niche in the e-bike market with its four-wheeled, human-powered e-bike that encased the driver in a small pod.

GRENCHEN, Switzerland - BMC Group has announced the reduction of approximately 40 jobs worldwide as part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at reducing costs and returning focus to its core business. The decision comes amid significant economic challenges to ensure the company remains competitive.

ÁGUEDA, Portugal - 'Present and Future' is the theme of the international conference focused on the two-wheel sector next week on Wednesday, 28 May. Organised by ABIMOTA's Bike Value Innovation Centre Association, the one-day conference will highlight key industry innovations in Portugal as well as market developments in major European countries.

BERLIN, Germany - A new battery-swapping service and matching e-bike fleet will soon be debuting on the streets of Amsterdam and Berlin, according to a press release by Enyring. The Yamaha subsidiary, established in December 2023, aims to be one of the first to introduce a battery-swapping service in Europe - and it's adding its own e-bike fleet to complement the service.

GIRONA, Spain - Tech start-up Niche Mobility has secured €1.6 million in funding to power the next development stages of its patented ADTS electric motor for e-bikes. In March, the Spanish company closed its successful investment round, led by strategic partner Copreci and supported by the Mondragon Promotion Fund and regional investors.

SCHIPHOL-RIJK, the Netherlands - Yamaha Motor Europe has unveiled its new e-bike systems service platform, aiming to strengthen aftersales support for dealers of Yamaha drive units and systems-equipped e-bikes. Following a trial phase initiated in February 2025, the platform is now up and running for all official dealers across France.

PARIS, France - The electric scooter market in France is continuing its downward spiral. According to the eighth edition of the Micromobility Market Barometer, co-published by Mobilians and Smart Mobility Lab, 2024 marks the third consecutive year of decline for motorised personal mobility devices (EDPMs), a segment overwhelmingly dominated by electric scooters.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The Danish bike sector is steadily growing these days, thanks to the ever-growing demand for e-bikes and the country's emphasis on living an active, health-conscious lifestyle.

OSLO, Norway - The bicycle market in Norway experienced a significant increase in price, caused by the supply reduction of both finished products along with their components and spare parts. A similar trend has been observed in the other Nordic states. Still demand for bikes in Norway is steadily growing these days, despite the challenging economic situation.

VIENNA, Austria - After an impressive Covid-related sales boom and subsequent sales decline and overstock, Austria's bicycle market had already more or less returned to a 'high normal level' by 2023. Could this level be maintained in 2024? The answer to this question can be found in the latest data released by ARGE Fahrrad.

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The countryside just north of Taichung houses one of those smaller, high-tech companies which characterise the bicycle industry supply chain in Taiwan. The family company Ora Engineering was founded in 1996 as an innovator in the metal forming and welding industry. Today the company supplies a range of frames, parts and components, particularly in titanium, to the global market with an export share of 98%.

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.

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.

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Industry leaders dare to speak out on future developments more openly now the main hurdle of the inventory crisis has been overcome. Giant Group Chairman Young Liu spoke directly to Bike Europe about his plans for production in Europe and his focal points for his first year in this position.