World
Gravel Keeps Urban Eurobike Focused on Sporty Cycling
Frankfurt, Germany Gravel bikes are set to take a greater prominence at the world’s biggest bicycle trade fair, Eurobike 2022, balancing the event’s shift this year from its former country setting to the urban surrounds of Frankfurt. Organisers have indicated the move to Frankfurt will coincide with an increased emphasis on “the new dynamics of…
Samsung Preparing to Trial Solid-State Battery Production
Gyeonggi-do, South Korea Samsung has started constructing a pilot production line for solid-state batteries. The company’s battery development arm, Samsung SDI, is developing its ‘S-Line’ in the South Korean province of Gyeonggi-do, in a bid to become a market leader in solid-state batteries. The rise of solid-state batteries could bring major benefits for the bicycle…
First Mobile Lift for e-Cargo Bikes
Oxfordshire, UK English company EZLift has developed a mobile bicycle lift specially designed for electric cargo bikes. It builds upon EZLift’s world-first modular, battery-operated lift, released earlier this year. “Due to the recent explosive growth of e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and e-motorcycles, current shop stands are not fit for purpose,” the company says on its website.…
Vittoria Building World First Innovation Centre
Milan, Italy Italian tyre manufacturer Vittoria has started the construction of what it is calling “the world’s first all-discipline cycling experience, innovation centre and knowledge hub for bicycle tyre development”. Vittoria Park is being built around the company’s headquarters near Milang and is scheduled to be completed by September. The 50,000m2 facility will include more…
Compostable Bidons for Cannondale World Tour teams
Budapest, Hungary Cannondale has unveiled 100% compostable bidons that will be used by its World Tour road cycling teams, starting with this month’s Giro d’Italia. Both the EF Education – EasyPost men’s team and EF Education – TIBCO – SVB women’s team will be using the bottles as a solution the approximately 34,000 bottles that…
Austrian Bikes Sales Top Billion-Dollar Milestone
Vienna, Austria Bicycle sales in Austria topped €1 billion (A$1.467 billion) for the first time in 2021, as rising e-bike and cargo bikes sales negated a slight overall decline in the total number of units sold. Sales totalled €1.03 billion, a 17% increase on the previous year and a three-fold increase compared to 2015. Based…
China COVID Measures and Ukraine Invasion Keep Brakes on Shipping
Shanghai, China Strict Covid lockdowns in several Chinese cities and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has shipping experts predicting the international container crisis is unlikely to improve soon. “Global fret ensues as several cities in China go into strict lockdown, including Shanghai and Shenzen,” according to a statement by container logistics service xChange. “This…
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…
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…
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…