The Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CENELEC) in Brussels is currently assessing whether there is sufficient support to adopt the VDMA 24994 as the standard across the European Union for safe e-bike battery storage. – Photo Tweewieler

Will German standard for e-bike battery storage soon apply across...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Which battery cabinet provides sufficient protection when an e-bike battery catches fire? Many bicycle industry entrepreneurs are uncertain about the products available. The German VDMA 24994 standard is intended to help separate the good from the bad. According to Bart van de Broek of Dutch financial services provider Nationale-Nederlanden, it will soon be clear whether this standard will also apply across all of Europe.

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.

The survey aims to find out how the anti-dumping duties on Chinese components have presented challenges for many European manufacturers and assemblers. - Photo Shutterstock

European e-bike industry invited to participate in anti-dumping survey

GENT, Belgium - Trade association LEVA-EU is inviting e-bike manufacturers and assemblers across Europe to participate in a newly launched survey. The survey is designed to gather insights on the impact of European anti-dumping duties on bicycle components imported from China, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of how these tariffs affect the industry's competitiveness, business operations, and market growth.

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On a European scale, CEN (European Committee for Standardization) is working on standards for (e-)cargo bikes to align with the Machinery Directive. – Photo Shutterstock

LEV framework in the Netherlands faces further delays

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - The Dutch Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) framework has been postponed once more, according to the RAI Association, the professional organization for (e-)bike manufacturers in the Netherlands. Initially set to take effect on January 1, 2025, the framework is now delayed until July 2025. Implementation of the new framework will have implications for amongst others, e-cargobike users in the country.

Changes in the trade agreements with both Thailand and Malaysia could be disruptive. – Photo Bike Europe

Free trade agreements Malaysia and Thailand: Towards a new bicycle...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Finalising the trade agreements currently under negotiation is one of the tasks of the next Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic. The agreements with Malaysia and Thailand will certainly be part of that commitment. The best-known company in the bicycle industry based in Thailand is Vittoria while Malaysia is the home of Shimano's supplier Kwang Li Industry.

Blog: A fairly recent phenomenon - Fatbikes

Blog: A fairly recent phenomenon - Fatbikes

I'm writing this blog while sitting on a train to Amsterdam. Once I arrive and walk to my destination, I'll need to watch out for a fairly recent phenomenon: fatbikes. I live in a quiet little village, so I thought it wasn't that big of a deal. But whenever I come to Amsterdam, I suddenly understand the alarming Dutch news headlines much better. These things can be dangerous!

The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) already confiscated 16,500 illegal bikes, and Ouxi fatbikes have now been declared illegal across the European Union.

Ouxi V8 fatbikes declared illegal in the EU

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.

The current review in the UK relates to all bicycles and components imported from China and consigned from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. – Photo Bike Europe

UK now also examining anti-dumping duties on bicycles from China

LONDON, UK - The anti-dumping duty on bicycles and bicycle parts from China in the UK is now also under review. Last May the British Trade Remedies Authority already advised to revoke the anti-dumping duties on China made e-bikes in a preliminary recommendation. In case the same would be suggested for bicycles, it would bring a lot of uncertainty in the UK.

Fatbikes which do not comply with the type approval are easy to order online in China. – Photo Bike Europe

16,500 fatbikes seized in the Netherlands due to non-compliance with...

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - In a large scale operation to halt the influx of fatbikes that do not meet the legal requirements of an e-bike or a moped, the Dutch authorities seized a total of 16,500 fatbikes. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate reports the fatbikes are in fact illegal mopeds and originate from several Chinese manufacturers.

Concluding a trade agreement with India and Indonesia would have major implications for the bicycle sector in Europe. – Photo Shutterstock

EU to continue trade agreement negotiations with India and Indonesia

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Trade agreements with India and Indonesia would disrupt the bicycle industry supply chain for EU-based companies. Usually concluding such agreements is a long-term process but the EU attributes great importance to these types of agreements. Discussion between the EU and the countries continue.

The European Commission will conduct a 12- till 15-month long investigation to decide whether to extend the anti-dumping measures for another 5-year period. – Photo Shutterstock

Five more years of anti-dumping duties on bicycles? EU initiates...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission launched an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of bicycles from the People's Republic of China. For this review DG Trade will hold hearings, mail questionnaires to producers and visit companies. The request was submitted by the EBMA (European Bicycle Manufacturers Association) representing the bicycle industry in Europe.

The AGCM decision aims to increase market freedom and interoperability for e-bike manufacturers regarding ABS technology. – Photo Stromer

Bosch u-turns on ABS interoperability

MILAN, Italy - Last Autumn concerns were raised by ABS manufacturer, Blubrake that Bosch could restrict competition in the e-bike ABS market by limiting the use of alternative technologies. A case opened by the Italian Antitrust Authority has now determined that e-bike manufacturers will now be permitted to integrate Blubrake ABS with Bosch BES3 kits.

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