The summer holidays are over again. Last year, I wrote about my adventures with our car on the way to France. This time, we had the pleasure of spending our holiday in Curaçao, a Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles. Because you can simply speak Dutch there - my native language - the Netherlands can feel surprisingly close. In reality, of course, it is very far away. Despite all the Dutch products on supermarket shelves, Curaçao is much more oriented towards the Americas. And from a product compliance perspective, that makes for some interesting discoveries.

Taiwan's third-largest bicycle manufacturer, Ideal Bike Corporation, is seeing signs of a recovery in business conditions, following similar developments reported by Taiwanese rivals Giant Group and Merida Industry. The improvement was particularly visible in the second quarter of 2026.

In 2024, BEIC launched its platform and enabled OEM companies in the cycling industry to easily sell and buy batches of surplus parts. Two turbulent years for the industry and a redesign of the platform later, the trading system seems more relevant than ever.

Unlike the three largest Taiwanese manufacturers - Giant Group, Merida, Ideal Bike - bicycle manufacturer Axman Enterprise Co. Ltd., which is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TPEX), was able to increase its revenue in the first but not in the second quarter of its 2026 fiscal year. Nevertheless, the outlook is positive as e-bikes become an increasingly important growth driver for the manufacturer.

Gilles Lapierre, former managing director of Cycles Lapierre, has broken his silence following the Dijon-based company's placement under judicial reorganisation. In a statement, he addresses the current situation of the brand, defends the record of his years at its helm and says he is prepared to contribute to a solution aimed at preserving both the company's activities and jobs.

Where is the shifter? Riders getting on the new Amflow TL for the first time at Eurobike 2026 might well ask that question. The cockpit looks clean and uncluttered, yet the familiar shifter of a conventional derailleur system is nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, the industry is questioning the purpose and setup of all trade shows in the industry which have for many years been anchored in people's agendas. On the opening day of the annual product managers' event, the Taichung Bike Week exhibitors were looking at many empty spots in their meeting schedule for the third consecutive year. This quickly raised the question among many: why are we here again?

Looking to replace the industry's historical reliance on estimates, European Cycling Industries (ECI), has partnered with sports data specialist Sporting Insights. The outcome is the launch of State of Trade European Cycling, SoTEC - a data platform to provide cycling brands with insights into the dynamics of the European market.

Avinox is expanding its e-bike system offering with a new handlebar-mounted control display that combines motor controls, electronic shifting and rider information in a single unit. The move underlines the company's ambition to offer OEM's a more integrated e-bike platform.

After Taiwan's leading bicycle manufacturer Giant Group reported signs of a turnaround in the second quarter of 2026, its compatriot and competitor Merida Industry is seeing similar early indications of a recovery. However, the company's first-half results and latest market data show that the recovery remains uneven.

A 'World Leading Show' doesn't just appear out of nowhere, as became clear after the first presentation of 'towards tomorrow - European Bike Show' at the fairground in Cologne, Germany. Building a leading trade show takes time, so the industry will have to live with a fragmented show landscape for some years as Eurobike is also ambitious. The German industry association has taken on a major responsibility for the industry worldwide by pulling out of the Frankfurt show and launching a new one.

In the fall of 2027, CycleExpo Amsterdam aims to become an industry meeting point for OEM brands and suppliers from around the world. Using the cycling culture of the Netherlands and Amsterdam's international accessibility as key advantages, the new fair proposes a dedicated purchasing platform for OEM stakeholders in the cycling industry.

Spanish company, Berria Bikes which specialises in high-performance bicycles, has achieved an 18% increase in revenue (July 2025-June 2026) and is seeking to expand its market reach in the Iberian market through a new partnership program with independent bicycle retailers. As it enters a new phase of growth, the brand will also look to expand its foothold in international markets.

Accell Group's bankruptcy has created significant uncertainty in the industry. Throughout the value chain, companies are closely following all developments around the potential takeover. September is the best time in Europe for retailers to decide which brands to offer in their shop next year and to order 2027 models. Retailers are now unsure what to do, as they can't wait too long.

Accell Group's bankruptcy has shown how essential information is for effective purchasing planning. Insufficient supply-chain information led to excessively large order volumes between 2020 and 2022. Excess inventory continued to drain Accell Group's financial position for several years and ultimately led to the demise of the once-largest bicycle factory. The Global Bicycle Purchase Index (GPBI) gives you insights into the supply chain thanks to the industry's input.

"Our ambition is to become an increasingly important European point of reference, while preserving its original identity." Fabrizio Ravasio, managing director of Movestro and a founder of the International Bike Festival, told Bike Europe during this year's event. As a market with deep roots in road racing, high-performance cycling and Italian craftsmanship, but one that has yet to embrace e-mobility to the same extent as its northern neighbours, the IBF demonstrated that Italy is not simply relying on its cycling heritage but is striving for growth.

From braking performance to faster internal routing, Jagwire's latest product introductions have one thing in common: they address the details that increasingly define modern bicycle service. Five new products extend the brand's braking and workshop offering, giving dealers and mechanics more ways to simplify service, improve performance and cover more bikes with fewer compromises.

The industry is searching for new ways out of the current market difficulties. Instead of hiring new talent with fresh know-how, which hasn't proven successful in overcoming supply chain constraints, old veterans are returning to their posts. Specialized founder Mike Sinyard will step back into the role of Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2026 following Roman Arnold's decision at Canyon Bicycles.