LUXEMBURG - The European Public Prosecutor's Office reports that it has filed two separate indictments at the Court of Antwerp, Belgium for the evasion of customs duties on the importation of e-bikes from China. In both cases they are accused of presenting incorrect customs declarations in order to evade anti-dumping and countervailing duties.
SCHWEINFURT, Germany - Tuning an e-bike highly increases the risk of the batteries catching on fire. Driving at higher speed requires more energy output which does not match with the setting of the battery management system. Velotech expert Ernst Brust therefore calls for a mandatory integration of a uniform Bluetooth interface.
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A fatal accident with an e-bike in Belgium years ago started a dispute about the legal classification of the electric bicycle. Should it be regarded as a 'vehicle' and be covered by a mandatory insurance like other vehicles? Finally, the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that e-bikes are not covered by this obligation because e-bikes are not propelled exclusively by mechanical power.
The rapid growth of e-commerce has transformed the way we shop, allowing us to purchase a wide range of products conveniently from online marketplaces. However, this convenience also brings certain risks, particularly when it comes to product safety.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The adoption process of the new European Batteries Regulation has entered its final stage. The approval stage has now been closed following the vote on Monday 10 July by the European Council.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - An agreement on the Critical Raw Materials Directive was reached by the EU Council recently. The Directive includes important changes to the recycling of permanent magnets and a new element has been added to the list of raw materials considered strategic.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Just before the start of Eurobike, the European Parliament adopted the negotiated text of the European Batteries Regulation. The final step before the publication of the official legal text in the Official Journal of the EU is the adoption by the European Council. Insiders expect the regulation is going to shake up the European e-bike battery market and the industry is not yet ready in finding an answer to this challenge.
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - Dutch authorities have imposed a €15,000 penalty on 9 'fat bikes' sellers. They all offered fatbikes which did not comply with the type approval regulations and were not street legal.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany - Friday was 'sustainability day' at Eurobike with several new initiatives being launched. This included a new guide to help the German bicycle industry report on their sustainability activities and the Cycling Industry Climate Pledge. On a national and international level there were repeated calls for all parties to work together. "We need to place collaboration at the core of our efforts," stated Alex Thun, CEO of Thun and Chair of CIE and CONEBI's sustainability expert group.
ZEIST, the Netherlands - "Half of young consumers find it acceptable to buy fakes," is the outcome of a new study by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). While Europeans are growing wary of counterfeits and illegal content, price remains a deciding factor as young consumers are more likely to find it acceptable to buy fakes. Could this also have implications for e-bike brands, particularly in the high-end segment?
