OSAKA, Japan - To hit back on e-bike drive system suppliers who overshadow Shimano's leading market position, the component manufacturer will start mass production of its AI-integrated drive train system Q'Auto. Launched as a concept at Eurobike 2023, the first bikes featuring this system will be on the market soon. CEO Yozo Shimano explains the business decision to take this step forward.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Support from Pon.Bike makes it possible for Ziemi to venture its innovative bicycle lighting system into international markets. Pon.Bike is, among others, the largest of seven parties that recently participated in an investment round raising €300,000.
ROMILLY SUR SEINE, France - The operation of Cycleurope Group and Grimaldi Industri AB in France will be taken-over by the Rebirth Holding SAS as of 7 October. In a short announcement Cycleurope reports the transfer of 100% ownership to Rebirth Holding SAS for an undisclosed amount.
HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group reached an agreement with a majority of its financial stakeholders and could improve its financial position. The transaction will lead to a reduction of Accell Group's debt by approximately €600 million, or around 40% of the total debt, from approximately €1.4 billion.
Nürtingen, Germany - The former company headquarters of Magura has moved into a brand-new facility of Magura Bosch Parts & Services (MBPS). Two years after the decision in favour of a new building was made, all MBPS departments have now moved into the one building.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The lack of one central organiser of Taichung Bike Week might turn out to become the biggest hurdle for the event to overcome the current problems in the bicycle industry. Three hotels in Taichung's business district open up their rooms and banquet halls for exhibitors who invite their customers to come over. For the rest it is wait and see. This means a solid foundation and future vision for TBW are lacking.
TAINAN, Taiwan - For Kind Shock the LEV Circuit wireless dropper seat post, presented at Eurobike, is a game-changer. It eliminates the need for cables and internal routing, streamlining bike design and reducing maintenance.
MUNICH, Germany - With over 25,000 pre-owned and refurbished bikes listed on its platform, over 2,000 of which come from the US, the fast-growing startup Buycycle is on a mission to connect high-end bicycle buyers and sellers on a global scale. One of the founders of Buycycle, Theodor Golditchuk, spoke with Bike Europe about the company's rapid rise in the second-hand market.
台灣，台中－本屆台中自行車週（以下簡稱台中週）進展緩慢，反映出市場整體氛圍。庫存問題仍造成產品創新及新款開發進度延遲。近年來，市場已逐漸脫離年度車款週期的模式。種種因素讓出席像是台中週這樣的年度採購展會，對產品經理而言變得不再如此重要。
奧地利，哈德（HARD）－奧地利自行車第二大巨頭Simplon Fahrrad GmbH的生意並不總是一帆風順，在該公司股東於去年底換掉管理團隊時，該公司的問題嚴重性也浮出檯面。今年整個行業銷售雙位數下滑亦對Simplon營收造成實質影響，迫使他們於上週申請美國《破產法》第11章破產保護，以繼續進行重組程序。
台灣，台中－知名台灣自行車零件製造商Glory Wheel Enterprise Co., Ltd.（GW）完成收購自行車配件品牌Spank Industries和Fratelli Industries。透過這次收購，GW旨在提升他們在高階自行車零件市場的地位。本次交易的金額並未公開。
英國，倫敦（LONDON）－屢次獲獎的電動自行車品牌Gocycle為發表其全新城市摺疊自行車系列，發起群眾募資活動。Gocycle東家Karbon Kinetics Ltd創辦人兼執行長Richard Thorpe說明他這次為何轉以試探性的融資方式，即便他早在2002年便成立該公司。他表示：「資本機構已退出多數產業，包含自行車公司及像是Gocycle這樣的小型新創企業。」
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has officially declared that Ouxi V8 fatbikes are considered an 'unauthorised' vehicle in the European Union. This means that anyone riding these vehicles is driving illegally and uninsured on the road. The China-made vehicles have risen in popularity in the Netherlands this year.
PARIS, France - French bike organisation Filière Vélo has introduced the 'Cyclescore' label, a new standard aimed at promoting the French cycling industry while addressing environmental and societal challenges. "It's a voluntary label that aims to provide the best information to consumers," said Florence Le Gall, general delegate of the Filière Vélo.
MEINERZHAGEN, Germany - It was announced as a revolution in bicycle headlights by Busch+Müller: the Briq-XL reacts to the lean of the handlebar in a progressive sequence to provide a magnificent illumination of the bend while riding the curve.
MADRID, Spain - Retail giant Decathlon and trade association AMBE have joined forces to promote the use of bicycles as a means of transport, leisure, tourism and sport. With this collaboration, the company and the association seek to develop common strategies that promote the use of bicycles and share market strategies.
Since Yamaha launched the first production e-bike in 1993, the company has played an important role in transforming the two-wheeler industry. With the Power Assist System (PAS), Yamaha introduced a new dimension to the cycling experience, allowing riders to benefit from electric assistance without losing the feel of traditional cycling. Now, three decades later, Yamaha is introducing the PW-LINK system: a new concept in e-bike co-development that will benefit manufacturers, dealers, and riders.
OBERRIED, Switzerland - Faster than expected, the Swiss retail group Migros has found a new owner for its Bike World chain of stores. Industry insider and jack-of-all-trades Thomas Binggeli has acquired most of the bicycle store chain via his investment company Thömus AG. The takeover will officially take effect in February 2025.
HARD, Austria - Business has not always gone smoothly at Austria's second largest bicycle manufacturer, Simplon Fahrrad GmbH. How big these problems were, became public when the shareholders replaced the management at the end of 2023. This year's industry-wide double-digit sales drop left a real skid mark on Simplon's revenue, forcing them to apply for a Chapter 11 status this week to support the ongoing restructuring process.
LONDON, UK - Award-winning e-bike brand Gocycle has started a crowdfunding campaign to launch its new range of urban folding bikes. Founder and CEO of Gocycle owner Karbon Kinetics Ltd Richard Thorpe explains why he turned to this tentative way of funding, having founded the company already in 2002. "Institutional capital has fled most industries including bike companies, as well as small innovators like Gocycle."
