Last week, I read Laurens Van Rooijen's article evaluating the European bicycle market's delayed recovery due to persistent overstock.
Laurens underscores the effect of heavy discounting, which has led to a drop in average selling prices despite a strong demand for e-bikes. External market pressures like trade disputes (e.g. Trump's tariffs) and other geopolitical conflicts, have increased the industry’s focus on Europe. (Side note: Escape Collective's Suvi Loponen's research on Europe's crackdown on illegally imported e-bikes)
However, Laurens points out that the emphasis is also due to favorable governmental policies and continued support for sustainable urban mobility. He expands upon trends like how e-bikes dominate, the growing popularity of leasing models to sustain sales, and the distinct variations within each European nation.
In closing, Laurens shared three key recommendations:
- 1. supply chain management and real-time data analytics to prevent future oversupply crises.
- 2. leverage bicycle leasing models for high-value sales and to support retailers
- 3. cater to the evolving needs of urban commuters, recreational riders & enthusiasts. (my take: cargo bikes!)
Of course, it remains a bumpy road, but the data depicts a market ready for a sustainable and profitable recovery in the coming years. After all, bikes will save the world! So here's to staying optimistic as we near 2026!
Thank you for reading & supporting this newsletter,
Jon
p.s.
If you're near Copenhagen this week, join me at OMNIUM for a ride and screening of Finding Nessie!
October
- 🇳🇱 22 Wheelrunner Wednesday Ride (Weekly at 6:30am)
- 🇩🇰 25 Finding Nessie Ride & Screening at OMNIUM HQ in Copenhagen
- 🇳🇱 26 AMS CX COMP | HSV DE KAMPIOEN
November
- 🇳🇱 2 AMS CX COMP | LRTV SWIFT – DE BULT LEIDEN
- 🇩🇪 3-4 DT Swiss Craft Days w/ Quirk Cycles
- 🇳🇱 6 The Mechanics of Joy Nº50
- 🇳🇱 9 AMS CX COMP | HSC DE BATAAF
- 🇬🇧 13-15 Rouleur Live w/ Remco Tools & Gravaa
- 🇳🇱 16 AMS CX COMP | WV DE AMSTEL – OUDERKERK AAN DE AMSTEL
- 🇳🇱 23 AMS CX COMP | WV AMSTERDAM – SPORTPARK SLOTEN
- 🇳🇱 30 AMS CX COMP | FC TRAPPIST – ‘T TWISKE
December
- 🇳🇱 7 AMS CX COMP | ARC ULYSSES
- 🇳🇱 12 Twotone 11 Year Party | Food, beverages, tattoos & live music!
- 🇳🇱 14 AMS CX COMP | ASC OLYMPIA – SPORTPARK SLOTEN
- 🇳🇱 20 AMS CX COMP | ZWC DTS (Evening Edition!)
- 🇳🇱 31 AMS CX COMP | WV AMSTERDAM – SPORTPARK SLOTEN
January
- 🇳🇱 4 AMS CX COMP | UWTC – UITHOORN
- 🇧🇪 16-18 Velofollies
Bikes
A KNOCKOUT THIRD ROUND: BESPOKED Celebrates Banner Year Three
What a blast this year's BESPOKED in Dresden was! Thank you to everyone who made it so magical! See many of you again in London next April!
Radavist's Bespoked Dresden 2025 Coverage
John Watson
John & Spencer did an amazing job of covering the show, the bikes & builders behind them! Nice to see you guys!
Bikes and Builders of Bespoked Dresden 2025 (Part 1)
Josh Meissner
Kudos to Josh at Bikepacking for underscoring how difficult it is to be an independent framebuilder nowadays. Read the story here.
Bespoked Dresden 2025 Bike Show Gallery, Part Two
Josh Weinberg
Josh from Escaped Collective shares beautiful images and stories behind the bikes here.
Ideas (more bikes this issue 😆)
26 Kuriositäten von der Erfinder-Messe!
Chris Spath
Chris & Tye MTB News team did a great job finding hidden gems in the show. Take a look here.
The Wildest Tech! | BESPOKED GERMANY Handmade Bike Show 2025
Owen & the GMBN crew cover: 0:24 - Drust Cycles Cargo Bike 0:41 - Starling Steel DH Bike 1:50 - CDuro Bikes 4:05 - Black Sheep Cycles Speedster 6:02 - A retro clunker from the future?! 7:42 - Tune Components 9:10 - Sour Cycles 10:36 - Dangerholm's Scott Spark Drop Bar MTB in this episode. Awesome work, guys!
INSANE Bike Inventions from Bespoked 2025
I love Russ & Laura perspective at bike shows! This year in Dresden was no different! Take a look.
Friends
ENA Bags Latest Newsletter with Production Updates, New Resellers & More
Velorukh: Cycling in Ukraine
Velorukh: Cycling in Ukraine is the first comprehensive publication about contemporary cycling culture in Ukraine. It features illustrated stories about cycling trips, races and cycling clubs, iconic cycling cafés and workshops. The book also tells about cycling enthusiasts who are defending Ukraine and about the role of the bicycle during the war.
Lost Signal: (Un)packed Harry Usher & Obbe Tibben
Harry & Obbe will share a a crash course on bike packing in Europe - the wins, losses, do’s, and don’t’s for your next adventure on 30 Oct at MAAP Amsterdam.
Radness
Gulfport, Florida's No Kings Protest
Thank you very much for reading!
Here's to staying optimistic this week!