World News Briefs – October 2024
16,500 Non-Compliant Fat Bikes Seized in the Netherlands
Many Australian bicycle dealers are concerned about the impact upon their businesses of the sale through online and other channels of fatbikes that greatly exceed the legal 250 watt power limit (500 watt in NSW). These dealers would probably like to see Australian government authorities take actions similar to what recently happened in the Netherlands.
In a large scale operation to halt the influx of fatbikes that do not meet the legal requirements of an e-bike or a moped, the Dutch authorities seized a total of 16,500 fatbikes. There was a previous seizing of 3,500 fat bikes in July and Dutch authorities imposed fines of €15,000 (A$24,150) on nine fat bike retailers that were offering illegal models.
This article was previously linked to in the TEBCO dealer newsletter.
Giant buys Stages – At Last
As we previously reported here, well-known USA based power meter and indoor cycling company Stages Cycling filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year after 15 years of trading.
At the time, Giant Group (the parent company of Taiwan based Giant Bicycles) was a major creditor and had previously made an unsuccessful offer to acquire Stages.
In late September Giant announced that it had finally been successful.
“The main purpose of the acquisition is to expand our business footprint in the indoor cycling field and build a complete cycling ecosystem,” Giant has reported on their website.
Paddy Murray, VP of Global Sales and Marketing of SPIA Cycling Inc, stated, “We’re thrilled about the opportunities this acquisition presents and the benefits it will bring to Stages Cycling’s dedicated customers. Our priority is to ensure a seamless transition while revitalising the Stages brand to address both current and future customer needs.”
Most of this article was previously published in Bike Europe.
Specialized Opens Larger Distribution Centre
Specialized bicycles have opened a new distribution centre twice the size of their previous one.
Both old and new distribution centres are based in Salt Lake City Utah. The new facility will be about 58,000 square metres in size and employ 120 people.
This article was first published in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
Frame Builder Bob Parlee Dies
Australian high end road afficionados will be familiar with Parlee bicycles. The expensive, high end handmade bikes have been sold here in small quantities for at least 20 years.
Bob and wife Isabel founded Parlee Cycles in 1999. Before entering the cycling industry, Bob built high-performance boats.
Bob began applying composite technology to bikes in the late 1990s, and by the early 2000s, Parlees were seen in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia pelotons and sold globally.
Parlee Cycles was sold to John Harrison in October 2023 after the brand entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy that February. Bob was semi-retired but remained with the company as chief designer.
“Bob has been a real inspiration for the entire team here at Parlee, me included,” Harrison said. “His persistent and unwavering focus on pursuing an uncompromised and perfect product will continue to lead the identity of our business forever into the future. We are all extremely proud to continue the work that he started.”
Most of this article was first published in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.