MANCHESTER, UK (15 August 2000) -- UK bike maker Concept Cycling has increased its turnover for the fourth year in a row. According to the company, between August 1999 and July 2000 it grew its turnover by 30%, moving it into third place behind Raleigh and Moore Large. In this period, Concept sold over 350,000
ROME, Italy (18 July 2000) -- On 6 July Italian scooter major Aprilia presented for the first time its new 'Enjoy' pedelec to a group of journalists in Rome. As Europe's second largest scooter manufacturer, Aprilia's decision to step into the pedelec and e-bike market could provide a much-needed impetus for a segment that has
BARCELONA, Spain (21 June 2000)--After 34 years and 23 editions, the Barcelona International Motor Show has closed its doors in favor of a new show concept: the International Motorcycle Show of Barcelona, or MotoShow. Organized by Fira of Barcelona, promoted by the industry association ANESDOR and backed by the entire Spanish motorcycle industry, MotoShow 2001
BERLIN, Germany (10 July 2000) -- Germany's cartel office has announced that it has yet to find any evidence that the US retailer Wal-Mart is illegally cutting costs in Germany. Wal-Mart's arrival on the German retail scene has triggered a price war, leading the German cartel office to include in their investigation four other major
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (21 June 2000)--The Dutch Ministry of Traffic is intending to exempt the riders of BMW's C1 from the country's helmet obligation. BMW has yet to announce when it will bring its C1 to the Dutch market. If The Hague can sort through the red tape before its summer recess, then the introduction
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (12 July 2000)--The Dutch motorcycle and scooter show MotorRAI 2000 has been canceled. Scheduled for October, the organizers announced that the number of exhibitors were not up to par with expectations. Not entirely satisfied with last year's show, the Japanese Three--Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha--had already announced that they would not take part in
TOKYO, Japan (25 May 2000)--According to Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry, sales at Japanese retailers fell in April for a record 37th straight month as a slump in consumer spending shows little sign of ending. Sales at department stores, supermarkets and other retailers fell 3.4% in April to US$104.1 billion. The Ministry said
FRANKFURT, Germany (28 June 2000)--Messe Frankfurt, organizer of the new bicycle industry show Bike-On, set to debut in, announced that its turnover rose 10% last year to DEM 539 million. Messe Frankfurt organizes about 80 trade shows per year (49 in Frankfurt and 31 abroad). Now the German trade show organizer is discussing further business
MONTEBELLUNA, Italy (4 May 2000)--According to the Italian city of Montebelluna, a boot and sport shoe production mecca and a global production hub for cycling shoes, 433,093 pairs of cycling shoes were produced there in 1999. Though this number is 15.64% less than the 513,357 pairs in 1998, their total value was 1% more than
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (28 April 2000)--On 1 April Marwi Europe opened up a new sales office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, responsible for all of the company's sales and marketing for Northwest Europe. At the same time the bicycle component manufacturer established a logistics center in nearby Doordrecht for just-in-time delivery for its European clients. As a
SANTA ANA, CA/USA (1 May 2000)--Last week US bicycle manufacturer GT announced that on 26 June it will close the doors to its plant in Santa Ana, California, for good. The move has become a common one for US bike producers who cannot compete price-wise with the flood of imports coming out of the Far
PARAMUS, NJ/USA (17 May 2000)--Us giant toy chain and bike retailer Toys R Us announced that its first quarter profits from operations rose 41%. The company attributes improved customer service and the new look of its stores as reasons for success, reports the Associated Press. For the quarter that ended on 29 April Toys R
ESSEN, Germany (25 May 2000)--The German Karstadt-Quelle conglomerate, one of the leading German retail and mail order giants, announced the creation of a new subsidiary named Karstadt-Quelle New Media AG. This company will be responsible for electronic sales for the rising B2B and B2C e-commerce business. First step of the new company is to renew
TAIPEI, Taiwan (21 March 2000)¯"We can talk about 'one China' as long as it is not a principle," the victorious candidate, Chen Shui-bian, said to Taiwan reporters on Monday. "As long as we are treated as equals, there is nothing we cannot discuss." This is apparently Chen's stance: avoid provoking a Chinese attack but at
HANNOVER, Germany (3 March 2000)--At this year's iF Design Award 2000 in Hannover, Germany, SRAM entered its 9.0 Rear derailleur, 9.0sl Halfpipe shifter and Brakelever. The contest, judged by an internationally renowned group of Industrial designers, attracted over 900 participants from 30 countries. In the end, SRAM's 9.0 Derailleur received the highest honors in three
TAIPEI, Taiwan (10 April 2000)-KMC introduced at the Taipei International Cycle Show an 18K gold chain, the X21, what the company calls its new model for the 21st Century. As such, the chain is being offered in a limited edition of 21,000 units. It will be available from the beginning of June and retail for
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (31 March 2000)--On 1 April the Dutch government will initiate its national 'Bike to Work' campaign. The goal of the campaign is to encourage as many people as possible to commute to work on their bicycles. Participating Dutch employers are an integral part of the campaign; for every kilometer cycled they will donate
COLOGNE, Germany (30 March 2000)--According to Rolf Lemberg, general manager of VFM, in 1999 some 4.94 million bicycles were shipped out in 1999, up 4% over 1998. As was the case elsewhere in Europe, it had a whole lot to do with the good weather. Of the 4.94 million bicycle units mentioned by the VFM,
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (14 April 2000)--The City of Amsterdam is looking to invest in a network of bicycle windmills: automatic underground bicycle stalls. Each windmill has room for 100 bicycles. Only the entrance is above ground, and a locker will be designated for each bicycle. The user of the locker will pay with a so-called chip,
ROME, Italy--In mid-December the Major Rutelli of Rome unveiled the city's most electric vehicle project up to date: a fleet of 400 rental e-scooters and no less than 400 (!) charging points spread throughout the city's historic center. The project comes under the auspices of the council of Rome, the Ministry of Environment and the
