TAIPEI, Taiwan - The fact that the Taiwanese supply chain has struggled during 2024 is fully evident in the latest custom statistics. In Q3, the island nation exported around 75,000 e-bike units, a 44% drop compared to 2023. E-bike exports to the EU specifically dropped 55% to a mere 34,000 units between July and September. Most significantly, the country is on course to see its export value drop half a billion euros this year in total.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The import statistics of the European Union clearly indicate that China regained its leading position as e-bike supplier for Europe's market. At the same time, the market is drowned with cheap and non-compliant China made e-bikes whose sellers shamelessly advertise the presence of a throttle and how to circumvent the maximum support of 25 km/h. How should the industry respond to these market developments?
PARIS, France - The budget crisis in France which led to a lot of political turmoil recently has a big impact on the bicycle and e-bike industry as well. With no previous warning, the Government announced that all state subsidies for the purchase of bicycles and e-bikes will be eliminated on very short notice. The 'Alliance for Cycling' warns of a significant consequence of such a decision for the whole cycling industry.
To support its rapid growth, Tracefy recently expanded its management team. Ferry Post has been appointed as sales director and Greg Schouten as technical director. This allows Niels Penning, as general manager, to focus more on overall company leadership, while Jeroen van Kester, director of marketing and new business, will concentrate on international markets and opportunities for Tracefy's GPS solutions beyond the bicycle industry.
SCHWEINFURT, Germany - No other product in the industry is so sorely missing validated market data than e-bike drive systems. The market dominance of Bosch is obvious, but what about the other suppliers and how many other brands are relevant anyway?
HUTTWIL, Switzerland - The reorganisation plans for Flyer as announced last week by ZEG caused a big scratch on the image of the Swiss company which once stood at the forefront of the e-bike boom in Europe. Shortly before the announcement, CEO Andy Kessler discussed the inventory situation at Flyer and finding a way back to 'normal', but also their relationship with owner ZEG and the market dominance of Bosch during an interview with Bike Europe.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - The slow recovery of the Cambodian bicycle export to the European Union prompted the country's five assemblers to look for new markets. The once leading importer of bicycles into the EU-27 is also facing fierce competition of other major bicycle exporting countries like China and Bangladesh.
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?
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over the first nine months of 2024, registrations of second-hand speed pedelecs in Belgium increased by +17.4% compared to the same period in 2023, and by +39.3% compared to 2022, according to figures released by trade association Traxio. However, for new speed pedelecs a reverse trend is seen as sales dropped 17.9% compared to 2023.
WARSAW, Poland - The total value of the Polish e-bike and bicycle market combined is expected to reach PLN 4.9 billion (€1,13 billion) in 2024. Also the sale of e-bikes has started to increase significantly and is already valued at PLN 1.25 billion (€ 289 million).
