TACHERTING, Germany - The owner of parts and component brand Syntace and bicycle brand Liteville has filed for insolvency. Syntace GmbH is already working on a restructuring and states that ongoing business operations are fully guaranteed. All orders and inquiries via the online shops will be processed as usual, as well as deliveries to IBDs and the Liteville products spare parts supply chain.
HASTINGS, United Kingdom - British bike brand Whyte Bikes Ltd. has changed private equity hands, from current owner Cairngorm Capital to Causeway Capital. The acquisition sees 100% ownership of Whyte transferred to Dublin-based Causeway Capital. The brand sees the move as a major step toward developing international growth.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The announced merger between European industry organisations CONEBI and CIE brought together a big group of peers in Brussels. The unification of CONEBI and CIE should allow the industry to put more weight on the table in discussions with the European Commission. On Monday and Tuesday, industry leaders, representatives of the EU's executive arm and lobbyists discussed the future of cycling as a mobility.
NANTES, France - French start-up Velco is inviting the public to become shareholders as it opens its capital through a €800,000 participatory fundraising campaign. Part of the operation is hosted on the investment platform Tudigo, running from October to November 2025, with an initial target of €400,000.
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).
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Cowboy's 2024 annual report, finalised on 4 August and published after a significant delay a month later, shows a company scrambling to find new financiers amidst declining profits. It also sheds new light on Cowboy's recent recall and the financial toll that it took on the young Brussels-based company.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The merger of Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and CONEBI has come one step closer, with the members of CIE endorsing a change to the association's statutes. The decision taken at the CIE general assembly this week reflects a shared commitment by both organisations to strengthen the industry's collective voice, enhance policy influence and ensure that cycling remains at the heart of Europe's green, digital and industrial transitions.
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.
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.
SOUTHWEST UTAH, United States - Following Taiwanese accessories manufacturer Glory Wheel's acquisition of accessories brand Spank Industries just under a year ago, the company is ready to bolster the brand's industry position by adding a United States base of operation and hiring a team of industry veterans.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Despite still being in the negative, Swapfiets has reported significantly reduced losses last year. The Amsterdam-based company, and subsidiary of Pon Holdings, recorded a net loss of €14.2 million in 2024 — 14% less than the previous year.
GENEVA, Switzerland - The globally operating testing, inspection and certification company SGS announced its expansion in the bicycle and e-bike sector with the takeover of EFBE Prüftechnik GmbH and EFBE Co., Ltd. EFBE was the tenth takeover in line since January this year for SGS.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The 2025 Taichung Bike Week did not bring the hoped-for signals of market improvement. Overnight rooms in the organising hotels were still available shortly before the event started, and exhibitors were looking at empty agendas on the opening day. There is a growing awareness among insiders that the industry needs structural changes, and fears that current market uncertainty will soon reach a boiling point.
GIRONA, Spain - Rotor Bike Components has launched new wireless electronic groupsets for gravel and MTBs. Known for its high-end components, the Spanish company is adopting a different course with the new product range named Rotor Uno. "With Rotor Uno, we are aiming to challenge the status quo of the mainstream market," confirmed Rotor CEO Jose Garcia Alegre during the launch at this year's Sea Otter Europe.
MUNICH, Germany - With a very heavy lean towards the automotive sector despite a recent attempt to diverge to all forms of mobility, one voice stood out for the bicycle industry at this year's IAA as cars dominated the halls. "Germany has more than just a car industry. The bicycle industry and public transport are also strong players - and deserve political visibility and a level playing field," Sandra Wolff, CEO of Riese & Müller said during the 'Why diverse mobility is so important' session, which was moderated by Politico.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The annual event for product managers has become the next big thing on the calendar to gauge industry sentiment. The positive market expectations signalled at Eurobike last June are now under severe pressure. What can the industry expect from Taichung Bike Week 2025 next week?
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.
PARIS, France - This was the question looking to be answered at the recently held Summit Series in Paris, supported by CIE's Women in Cycling expert group. The event, focusing on the retention and recruitment of women in the bicycle industry, hoped to 'lead the change' in correcting the current imbalance in the sector. With cross-spectrum representatives from industry and academia present, the conclusion was that progress is slow, and opportunities are being missed.
GIRONA, Spain - Accell Group has appointed William Perrier as managing director for Southern Europe in a role that was cut a couple of years ago. The renewed focus on the region is part of the group's strategy aimed at accelerating its development in the key markets of France, Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Perrier was presented at Sea Otter Europe as the man to boost the sales of Accell brands Lapierre, Ghost, Winora and Haibike, which are at the core of sales in the region.
EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Shimano announces that Marc van Rooij, president of the Shimano Europe Group, will leave the company by the end of 2025. Van Rooij has worked at Shimano for over 34 years in various management positions, including Shimano Benelux, Shimano Europe and Shimano Europe Holding. He has been president of the Shimano Europe Group since 2009.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European bicycle industry is losing a key face in Brussels. Manuel Marsilio has officially stepped down from his position as general manager of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI). This marks the end of more than a decade of leadership. Meanwhile, the ECF has welcomed its new CEO, who is tasked with advocating for better cycling infrastructure across Europe.
