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“Increasing tariffs on domestic importers and manufacturers without providing incentives to shift production from China is unfair,'" US trade organisation PeopleForBikes says. - Photo Shutterstock

US e-bike market threatened by 25% tariff on lithium-ion batteries

WASHINGTON, USA - The latest publication by the US Trade Representative (USTR) regarding tariff action has not brought any clarification whether the import of lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes from China will be hit by a 25% additional duty. "Some ambiguity remains on what the announcement means for existing bicycle products receiving exclusions from Section 301 tariffs," writes PeopleForBikes, Policy Counsel Matt Moore in a statement today.

Currently, approximately two-thirds of the components used in the production of bikes are imported from outside of the EU. – Photo Decathlon

Decathlon urges politicians to implement European Cycling Declaration

LILLE, France - In the run-up to the upcoming European Parliament elections from 6-9 June, sporting goods producer and retailer Decathlon calls upon politician to deliver a circular, competitive, and active future across the EU. That includes the European Cycling Declaration, though the sporting goods giant outlined a series of policy recommendations and key priority areas.

SGS’s braking performance test with machine method is a customised braking performance test facility designed for cargo bikes, to adopt the wider and longer dimension than a typical two-wheeled bicycle. – Photo SGS

Shifting gears: Europe's new standard for e-cargo bikes

GENEVA, Switzerland - E-cargobikes are becoming an increasingly common sight on our city streets. They offer a sensible and sustainable alternative to fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. However, without strict safety standards, they also present a risk to riders and other road users. Chih-Hao Lien, Assistant Manager at SGS Hardlines Lab in Taiwan asks: What does the publication of the EN 17860 series of standards for carrier cycles mean for suppliers of e-cargo bikes and the safety on our urban streets?

According to the European Public Prosecutor, the two companies imported e-bikes into Belgium in separate parts, allegedly to avoid the payment of anti-dumping duties due on the importation of fully assembled e-bikes. – Photo EPPO

Three convicted for evading €3.1 million in duties on imported...

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - One individual and two companies have been found guilty of evading customs duties on the importation of e-bikes from China. The case was investigated and prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Brussels last week. In total, the three defendants were found guilty of evading €3.1 million in customs duties and were sentenced to a fine of over €15.5 million each.

With 27 European Transport Ministers joining the informal council meeting, the high-level gathering can be seen as a big step forward for growing cycling and developing a world-class European cycling industry. – Photo CIE

Signing of European Declaration on Cycling marks historic milestone

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The interinstitutional European Declaration on Cycling was signed on Wednesday 3 April at the Informal Council meeting of Transport Ministers led by the Belgian EU presidency at Egmont Palace in Brussels. The European Declaration on Cycling is the most ambitious EU-level policy initiative on cycling to date, recognising cycling as a strategic priority and acknowledging its power to generate enormous benefits for Europe.

The development of a new standard in the US became urgent after the publication of the e-bike related incidents. – Photo Shutterstock

US authorities soliciting industry comments on e-bike safety

WASHINGTON, USA - To counter the rapidly increasing number of accidents with e-bikes, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has initiated a rulemaking proceeding. They have invited all industry stakeholders to comment on the risk of injury associated with mechanical hazards of e-bikes and plans to develop new standards to address these risks.

LEVA-EU hosted a meeting for its members with the European Commission on the topic of anti-dumping regulations. – Photo Shutterstock

LEVA-EU and members meet EU Commission to discuss e-bike anti-dumping

BRUSSELS, Belgium - To draw attention to the impact of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against made-in-China e-bikes, LEVA-EU hosted a meeting with the European Commission. According to LEVA-EU more than 40 company representatives and lawyers signed up for the meeting held on March 15.

“We believe e-bike brands and sellers of lithium-ion batteries testing, certifying, and labeling their products as complying with UL 2849 and UL 2271 will help the US market,” says Heather Mason of the NBDA. - Photo Bike Europe

E-bike fires unites US Congress in vote for battery safety legislation

WASHINGTON, USA - The number of e-bike battery related fires in the city of New York has resulted in bipartisan support in Congress for legislation to develop standards for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. According to safety experts this regulation is the only option to limit the number of e-bike fires. What do cycling organisations and the industry expect of this legislation?

The EU-Commission writes in a statement that, “the request is based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in continuation of dumping and recurrence of injury to the European industry.” – Photo Bike Europe

EU Commission opens expiry review for anti-dumping on China made...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The use of anti-dumping and anti-circumvention duties as a trade regulation for e-bikes from China has been much discussed in the industry in the past 5 years. On request of the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA), the European Commission has initiated an expiry review of the current e-bike anti-dumping measures.

Industry stakeholders gathered in Berlin to discuss the impact of the proposed forest regulations in Germany – Photos ZIV

German Federal Forest Act puts MTB market in danger

BERLIN, Germany - In 2024, the German Federal Forest Act is to be comprehensively reformed after around 50 years. According to industry stakeholders, it could "significantly restrict freedom of movement in the forest". In that case the (e-)MTB market might face a serious decline as mountain biking could lose its appeal.