Jan-Willem van Schaik

One of the main messages shared in the workshop last Wednesday was that an EU harmonized regulatory framework is needed. – Photo Bike Europe

EU regulations for electric micromobility insufficient and...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over 200 people attended the workshop on technical requirements and road safety of personal mobility devices (PMD) this week. Organized by the European Commission, the workshop made clear that the current European regulations (L-category vehicles type approval and Machinery Directive) are insufficient and inappropriate to cover the variety of devices.

TAITRA chairman James Huang (middle), hosted a leaders panel with KMC President Robert Wu (left) and Giant spokesman Ken Li. – Photo Bike Europe

Taiwan rebrands Taipei Cycle 2023 while export hikes

TAIPEI, Taiwan - From January to July 2022, the export value of Taiwan's bicycle, e-bikes, and bicycle parts reached $5 billion (€5 billion), with a year-on-year growth of 29%. Notably, the growth of Taiwan's e-bike exports has surpassed bicycles. For the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) time to rebrand the Taipei Cycle in 2023.

Shell expects high demand for its micromobility products. – Photo Shell

Oil giant Shell to launch e-bikes

LONDON, UK - The rumour has been in the market for some time but in a recent interview Shell executive Rahul Malhotra made clear that their entrance on the e-bike market is imminent. "Micromobility will play a big role in the future of urban transport," says Rahul Malhotra.

Heiko Müller, Dr. Sandra Wolf und Markus Riese (fltr.) – Photo Riese & Müller

Markus Riese steps down as CEO of Riese & Müller

DARMSTADT, Germany - Since Riese & Müller was founded almost 30 years ago by Markus Riese and Heiko Müller, the company has grown from being a folding bike start-up to a global player in the e-bike market with a turnover of around €350 million. Yesterday, co-founder Markus Riese announced he had stepped down from his executive duties and relinquished the role of CEO as of 1 August 2022.

Taiwan has opened its borders again for a limited number of visitors, but many restrictions remain in place. – Photo CECC

Lifted COVID-related entry restrictions don't help Taichung Bike Week

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - (Update) The most recent announcement of the Taiwanese Government to resume visa-free entry hasn't made life easier for the Taichung Bike Week. While everybody expected traveling would be easy again by mid-September, the Central Epidemic Commend Center (CECC) is holding on to the 3-day quarantine for foreign visitors.

Spain is one of the first EU countries to report a decline in production since this spring. – Photo Bike Europe

Spain reports drastic change in bicycle production volumes

MADRID, Spain - The value of bicycle production in Spain increased by 8.8% to €126.4 million in the first half of this year. In this period, a total of 171,218 bicycles were manufactured, representing a growth of 4.1% compared to the same period of 2021. However, the provisional figures from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism show big monthly differences.

Pon.Bike has enlarged its portfolio with the online brand Veloretti. – Photo Veloretti

Pon Holding acquires scaleup Veloretti

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Pon Holdings continues to expand its position in the bicycle market with the take-over of scaleup Veloretti. This e-bike and bicycle brand was founded in 2012 and the company expects to generate a turn-over of € 42 million this year.

The partnership covers the end-of-life management of the lithium-ion batteries of more than 160,000 e-scooters, e-bikes and e-mopeds. – Photo Tier Mobility

Tier Mobility and Remondis partner in end-of-life battery recycling

BERLIN, Germany - To recycle all elements of lithium-ion batteries in key markets across Europe, leading micro-mobility provider Tier has entered an agreement with recycling company Remondis.

The tiny fire extinguisher could prevent e-bike battery fires from escalating. – Photo Job

Can this small device save us from e-bike battery fires?

ZEIST, the Netherlands - Are e-bikes sensitive to fires or not? Experts don't quite agree on that. But if they catch fire, they are often difficult to extinguish. The tiny fire extinguisher E-Bulb is the latest weapon in the battle against e-bike fires.

Demand for e-cargobikes is very high in the Netherlands. - Photo Profile Leendert Kuijper

Dutch Dynamo Retail Group reports buoyant sales again after drop in...

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The largest bicycle dealer cooperative in the Netherlands, Dynamo Retail Group has reported strong sales figures this year. While bicycle sales dropped by double digits last year, Dynamo Retail Group saw a hike of 12.1% between January and July this year.