News
Spanish Ministry Proposes Compulsory e-Bike Insurance
Spain The Spanish government is considering implementing mandatory insurance for e-bikes, a policy that would put it at odds with the rest of Europe. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation’s push to incorporate “personal mobility vehicles” within regular motor vehicle regulations would bring a need for compulsory insurance for electric bicycles. The controversial proposal…
How’s Business – April 2022
Welcome to our monthly chat with dealers across Australia and New Zealand. For this month’s follow up question, we returned to the elephant in the room that we’ve deliberately avoided for the past few months of How’s Business columns – stock. In some ways, it’s hard to believe that we’re now approaching two years since…
Bike Businesses Sought for Green Square Cycling Incentives
Sydney, NSW e-Bike suppliers are invited to participate in a City of Sydney pilot program to make electric bikes more readily accessible to residents in the municipality’s Green Square area. “The City of Sydney is seeking to trial a panel of businesses who can provide e-bikes for Green Square residents to experience riding,” the council’s…
Lismore Store Flooded Twice in a Month
Lismore, NSW Lismore retailer Harris Cycle Co. has been hit twice by flooding within a month, only a year after moving to a new premise the owners thought would provide better flood protection. Between flooding and COVID interruptions, store owner Darryl Pursey says he’s been able to trade for a total of about three weeks…
Clarification Sought for Vertical Racks
Melbourne, Victoria Bicycle Industries Australia is seeking clarification on State laws on rear overhang restrictions for bike racks on cars, after retailer reports of customers being fined for their vertical racks. The organisation is inviting input from any retailers who have information about customers targeted by police for loaded bike racks believed to have exceeded…
Landmark UK Prosecution of Supplier of High-Powered e-Bike
Worcester, UK A UK vehicle standards authority had announced the country’s first successful prosecution of a company for illegally supplying high-powered electric-assisted pedal cycles (EPACS) not approved for road use. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) took action against Monsterebikes Ltd for supplying Falcon-branded EAPCs fitted with motors powered up to 8,000 watts and…
On-Line Retail Pioneer Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Sydney, NSW Australia’s largest online bike retailer, Bicycles Online, recently celebrated a decade in business, prompting its founders to reflect on their modest and “naive” beginnings. In 2011, Jonathon Allara and James van Rooyen questioned why none of the major brands were sold online. “We had come from running a very modest bike tour business…
$6 Million Federal Budget Boost for Amy Gillett Foundation
Melbourne, Victoria National cycling safety charity the Amy Gillett Foundation (AGF) received $6 million in last week’s Federal Budget, after flagging several initiatives to improve cycling infrastructure and mapping. The Melbourne-based organisation outlined four recommendations in its pre-budget submission, including updating road design guidelines, training for local decision-makers and practitioners to deliver best-practice cycling infrastructure, improved…
BIA Challenges e-Bikes Omission from ACT Sustainability Loan Scheme
Canberra, ACT Bicycle Industries Australia is challenging the ACT Government’s omission of e-bikes from its Household Sustainability Loan Scheme. BIA General Manager Peter Bourke will this week meet with the office of the Chief Minister Treasurer and Minister for Climate Action, Andrew Barr, to call on the Government to include e-bikes in which scheme. The Household…
Pirelli Returns Tyre Manufacturing to Italy
Bollate, Italy Large-scale bicycle tyre manufacturing returned to Italy last month, with Pirelli resuming production at its factory in Bollate. The historic factory, first opened by Pirelli in 1962, is located a few kilometres from Milan and has been overhauled and modernised. “The plant will be dedicated to the production of high-tech tyres, including all…