Rosie Burgin

Taiwan's bicycle industry signalled that it was entering a bold new era at this year's Taipei Cycle Show. Under the guidance of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Centre (CHC) unveiled a suite of R&D achievements, highlighting the strategic integration of Taiwan's bicycle manufacturing with advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT). A key feature was the Cycling Common Protocol Alliance (CCPA), launched to enhance system interoperability and strengthen collaboration across the bicycle and ICT industries.

Following approval by the antitrust authorities, BMZ has been cleared to make a fresh start under new ownership and management. The battery manufacturer is now fully in the hands of SKion GmbH and founder Sven Bauer has made way for a new CEO to steer the company as it looks to expand internationally.

Navee, best known in European and US markets for its premium e-scooters, has taken a significant step into the European e-bike market. An official launch event on 1 April in Munich, Germany, marked the Chinese mobility brand's "pedalling" debut in Europe, where it aims to compete in the mid-price segment with its speed-pedelec, e-bike and cargobike solutions. Bike Europe spoke to the company at the Taipei Cycle Show to find out more.

Following well-documented financial struggles over the last few years, Accell today has stated that the last debt reduction has further stabilised the company, "while additional funding enabled Accell to accelerate the execution of the final steps of its transformation." As it prepares for this season with a sharpened portfolio of new models and a significantly leaner build after divesting non-core brands, is the once mighty Accell Group now out of the woods?

Taiwan exported fewer than 77,000 e-bike units in the first quarter of 2026. This marks a 15% year-on-year drop from 2025 and the lowest Q1 e-bike exports since 2018. This also signals that the world's bicycle manufacturer is still struggling to get a firm grip on the electrified bike market post-Covid. The export value of regular bicycles also continues to drop 17% in Q1, but little is heard about consolidations or bankruptcies in the Taiwanese bicycle industry. As the total export value dips under $10 billion for the last two consecutive quarters, could the value shift be taking place outside of Taiwan's borders?

When it comes to migrant workers in Taiwan, a core issue is how the country's domestic labour laws don't align with international standards, but measures are being taken to adjust this. "As an exporting nation, meeting international standards is our mission and our obligation," said Giant Group and Bicycle Alliance for Sustainability (BAS) Chairman Young Liu during his opening statement at the ESG Forum during Taipei Cycle Show.

Long rumoured, the second generation of Avinox's drive system has been announced this morning. Following on from the Avinox M1 e-bike drive system, which launched two years ago under the wing of parent company DJI, the next evolutions of the drive system, the Avinox M2S and Avinox M2 have officially been launched. Claiming "unmatched power, control, range and efficiency," the Chinese manufacturer's draw continues at speed as 60 industry partners confirmed integration of the newest systems.

Finnish bicycle component manufacturer, Herrmans Bike Components, has acquired the technology and business from Taiwanese lighting specialist Roxim Technologies. The move will see Herrmans expand its presence in Asia and broaden its offering in lighting solutions. The transition is now at full speed and Herrmans will officially take over the business from 1 May.

A repurposed automotive tyre factory on the outskirts of Milan was Pirelli's vision when it strategically decided to re-enter the bicycle tyre market in 2017. Operational since 2022, the factory prides itself on 'Made In Italy' premium quality bicycle tyres. Supported by "the broad shoulders" of the multi-billion-euro turnover of the Pirelli Group, the factory has a maximum capacity of 1.5 million FSC-certified natural rubber tyres annually — with plenty of opportunity for growth. What more reason to visit the factory floor at… Pirelli.

A total of 1,093,478 bicycles were sold in Spain in 2025, just 0.7% fewer than in 2024, according to data presented by industry association AMBE and Cofidis. Total bicycle sales in Spain generated €1.4 billion in 2025, a 9% increase compared to 2024. This growth was mainly driven by the mid-range and high-end segments, particularly e-bikes, which accounted for 21.5% of units sold and 35.2% of bicycle sales turnover.