The Netherlands

BERLIN, Germany - Massive discounting campaigns to reduce inventory levels in the market pushed down the average e-bike retail price and market value in Germany last year. While sales volume remained relatively stable, the revenue from bicycles and e-bikes totalled €6.33 billion, down 10.1% from €7.06 billion in 2023. This is still significantly higher than the sales value of €4 billion in 2019.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Fundracer as announced that Annika Fischer has joined the investment fund dedicated to future mobility as a Venture Partner. She has built a career at the intersection of finance, HR, and sustainability, reports Fundracer.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - E-bikes continue to be the driving force for the Dutch market. The total e-bike market volume ended at 409,467 units, representing a market share of 47.7%. The total number of bicycles and e-bikes combined ended at 858,126, down from 919,101 in 2023. This year, the national industry association RAI Vereniging included fatbike sales for the first time in their annual report which has resulted in a major shift in the statistics.

BUNNIK, the Netherlands - Klever Mobility has centralised its European organisation in its existing office in the Netherlands. The company reports that this strategic decision will enable them to operate more efficiently and provide better service to dealers and customers in Germany and Switzerland. As part of the reorganisation, the office in Cologne, Germany will be closed soon.

AMSTELVEEN, the Netherlands - Ahead of the publication of the official 2024 sales statistics in the Netherlands, market researcher GfK-NIQ reports a shrinking market for e-bikes for the second consecutive year. E-bike suppliers are looking for new ways to regenerate the market. Leasing and employee benefits program are important drivers to expand the market again.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - An investigation into suspected large-scale customs fraud related to the import of e-bikes from China is being led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In this latest case where the e-bikes are known to have entered the EU via Poland, the unpaid duties add up to an estimated loss of €1.8 million.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group has completed its recapitalisation process after it secured sufficient support from its key stakeholders last November. The sanction hearing in the English court on 23 January 2025, at which the court sanctioned the recapitalisation following the agreement that Accell reached with the majority of its financial stakeholders in October 2024, was the final step before yesterday's finalisation.

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands - Shimano Europe is extending its cooperation with GXO, a company that manages outsourced supply chains and warehousing, to perform logistic services across Europe. The component manufacturer will now move its warehouse operations in Belgium to GXO's facility in Venray, the Netherlands.

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - Four suspects have been arrested in The Netherlands on suspicion of large-scale customs fraud involving bicycles imported from China. The value of the alleged fraud is over €7 million.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.