The Netherlands

Market highlights

The Netherlands is known for its nationwide cycling infrastructure and a mature e-bike market. Historically a bicycle producer, it locates companies like Pon.Bike and Accell Group, two of the largest bicycle companies worldwide. Despite these connections, the Port of Rotterdam makes the Netherlands a transit country with exports exceeding production in most years.
E-bike market share:
56%
Industry Association:
All countries
CEO Tjeerd Jegen: “It feels a natural moment to transition the leadership of the company.” – Photo Accell Group

Accell Group CEO steps down in favour of chief operating officer

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group's chief operating officer (COO) Jonas Nilsson, will become CEO of the group, succeeding Tjeerd Jegen, who is stepping down and will transition to chair of the group's supervisory board. The CEO transition will take place over the coming months, up until 1 April, 2025, with the Chair transition taking place later this year, to allow for a cool-off period in line with good governance practices.

Amslod benefitted from the growth in e-bike sales in the past decade but eventually didn’t make it. – Photo Amslod

Amslod files for bankruptcy after chapter 11 status

MEPPEL, The Netherlands - The full extent of the problems in the Dutch e-bike market are becoming increasingly clear with the next insolvency of pure player Amslod founded in 2015. Like Stella E-bike, Amslod started as an online retailer which later opened shops to provide better service, but never became as successful as Stella E-bikes.

In a cost-cutting exercise, Accell Group started 2024 with the announcement that it was merging its two facilities in Heerenveen, The Netherlands and relocating some of the current production to Accell's other European manufacturing facilities. – Photo Tweewieler

Accell Group files 2023 accounts with 10% revenue drop but 'recovery...

HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands - As the market continues to be challenging, liquidity will remain a key focus of the Accell Group, according to a business update of the company published yesterday. With accounts for 2023 finalised with a 10% revenue drop, "recovery is well on track across the business," states CEO Tjeerd Jegen.

Team Picnic PostNL manager Iwan Spekenbrink (left) and Accell Group CEO Tjeerd Jegen signed the 4-year contract. - Photo Accell Group

Accell Group returns to UCI World Tour team sponsoring

DIJON, France - The news came out already earlier, but was only published officially today. Accell Group's brand Cycles Lapierre is making a return to the to the UCI World Tour as the official bike sponsor for Team Picnic PostNL. The team will compete on Lapierre bicycles for the next four years.

John Zopfi (r.) the new chief commercial officer at Gravaa and CEO Gertjan van Ginderen (l.). – Photo Gravaa

Gravaa appoints new chief commercial officer

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Adaptable tyre pressure technology firm Gravaa has ap-pointed John Zopfi as its new chief commercial officer. With more than 20 years of experi-ence in outdoor and cycling industries, Zopfi took up the role earlier this month after spend-ing the past six years at 7mesh Industries where he most recently served as general manager for global wholesale.

All Stella stores in the Benelux will remain closed until March 1st 2025. – Photo Tweewieler

Dutch investors acquire bankrupt e-bike brand Stella

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands - The future of a former market leader for e-bikes in the Netherlands, Stella, has been secured. Dutch investment company Scheybeeck and chain store owner Ilias Salhi have announced a relaunch of the recently bankrupt e-bike manufacturer albeit in a downsized form.

Fatbikes like the Ouxi V8 which was labelled as an 'unauthorised' vehicle, are the reason for the introduction of a quality mark. - Photo Bike Europe

Fatbike import rule-bending triggers stricter conditions in the...

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Imports of fatbikes which do not comply with EN standards and road safety regulations has prompted the Dutch bicycle industry organization RAI Association to introduce a new e-bike quality mark. The use of illegal and tweaked fatbikes has caused a major increase in e-bike accidents and a lot of irritation amongst the Dutch public.

Supreme Dutch launches durable airless tyre for urban mobility

Supreme Dutch launches durable airless tyre for urban mobility

Supreme Dutch, a bicycle tyre innovator based in the Netherlands, has unveiled its next generation airless tyre specifically designed for bicycles. The new patented product is aimed at transforming the bike-sharing, food delivery, and cargo bike transportation sectors, where reliability, durability, and minimal maintenance are critical. With over a decade of research and development, the company is known for its focus on airless solutions for urban (E-) mobility. The company collaborated with tyre brand Schwalbe - Ralf Bohle for nearly five years before branching out independently to expand its reach globally.

Stella enjoyed a successful introduction in the early days of the e-bike market in the Netherlands. – Photo Stella

Stella eyes restart as e-bike brand is declared bankrupt

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands - Dutch e-bike brand Stella has been declared bankrupt, the appointed administrator Frans van Oss has confirmed. Coming quicker than expected, the bankruptcy follows the request for a delay in payments last week. Now all eyes are on a possible restart of the financially troubled e-bike manufacturer.

In recent years, Stella had already been forced to close some of its stores and reduce its workforce at the headquarters in the Netherlands. – Photo Stella

Dutch e-bike brand Stella forced to delay payments as losses mount

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands - Once claiming to be market leader in the Netherlands, e-bike brand Stella is on the verge of bankruptcy. Despite repeated financial injections from its owner DMEP, the manufacturer has now filed for a payment extension. According to DMEP, Stella can no longer achieve sustainable profitability in its current form and requires a "substantial" capital injection.

The support of key stakeholders and creditors comes at an important moment for Accell Group. – Photo Accell Group

Accell Group secures support of creditors for recapitalisation

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group can proceed with the restructuring of its financial position as it secured sufficient support from its key stakeholders. "The implementation of the recapitalization will create a sustainable financial and operational platform to execute our strategy," reported the company today. "Approximately 80% of our senior term and revolving facility lenders have committed their support for the recapitalisation, while other key creditors unanimously back the plan."

Alongside the expo and test track, visitors were also treated to a jam-packed programme discussing topics relevant to cargo bikes, with panels and speakers drawn from across the globe, plus several side-events. - Photo Sanne Paul

ICBF brings cargobike industry together in Utrecht

UTRECHT, The Netherlands - With the introduction of zero-emission zones from 1 January 2025, developments in the cargobike field are more relevant than ever. This was the message at the 2024 edition of the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) which took place in Utrecht, the Netherlands on 25 and 26 October. With a mix of expo and conference programme the event is fully developing into something relevant for all stakeholders in the cargo bike business.

In a cost-cutting exercise, Accell Group started 2024 with the announcement that it was merging its two facilities in Heerenveen, The Netherlands and relocating some of the current production to Accell's other European manufacturing facilities. – Photo Tweewieler

Accell Group sees rating drop at Moody's due to current debt concerns

MILAN, Italy - Dutch bicycle manufacturer Accell Group painted a rosy picture in October when it announced it had improved its financial position and reduced its corporate debt in agreement with its financial stakeholders. But seeing as this financial restructuring is not due for completion until February 2025, credit ratings agency Moody's has downgraded Accell Group, citing "a very high likelihood of a default occurring over the next 6 months."

As it reaches its first decade of existence with its ‘bike as service’ model, Swapfiets eyes own design and smart user data as key to a circular future. – Photos Swapfiets

Swapfiets future-proofing its bicycle fleet with circular components

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Bike subscription service Swapfiets, will celebrate its ten-year anniversary on November 7. Under the guidance of Pon Holding's investment company Ponooc since 2018, the company has grown to have over 270,000 members across Europe. Although, still striving for profitability, the B Corp-certified scale-up is working hard towards creating a 100% circular bicycle.

Since 2011, Dolly e-cargoibkes have been developed and produced in-house in the Netherlands. – Photo Dolly bikes

Optima Cycles acquires e-cargobike brand Dolly Bikes

BEVERWIJK, The Netherlands - Dutch e-bike and electric cargo bike manufacturer Optima Cycles has acquired compatriot Dolly Bikes, which focuses on the high-end e-cargobike segment. With this strategic acquisition, Optima Cycles, known for the brands Dutch ID and Lovens, aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing electric cargo bike market and create new growth opportunities.

“Last year, about 2% of Phatfour’s sales were designated for export; now that’s 40%,” states Phatfour founder Mels van Hoolwerff. – Photo Diederik van der Laan / Dutch Photo Agency

Dutch fatbike makers eye export markets as local sales implode

ZEIST, The Netherlands - Dutch fatbike manufacturers are experiencing a drastic decline in demand following the uproar surrounding e-bikes with fat tyres in the country. Phatfour's sales in its home market are currently about 75% lower than last year. Local competitor, Urban Mobility, the company behind Doppio, recently filed for bankruptcy. Can export markets offer a saviour for Dutch fatbike bands?

Close ties with Pon.Bike brings valuable market knowledge to Ziemi. - Photo Ziemi

Pon.Bike invests in innovative bicycle lighting with Ziemi

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.

Shareholders KKR and Teslin retain a significant majority controlling stake in Accell Group. – Photo Accell Group

Accell Group cuts debts by €600 mln with support of KKR and Teslin

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.