More Euro brands sign on to Asia Bike • European Commission to review ruling on extra e-bike tests • Dahon names Greek distributor • Western governors tout economic value of outdoor recreation
NANJING, China (BRAIN) Tuesday June 12 2012 8:58 AM MT—Haibike and MCipollini are the latest European brands to commit to exhibiting at next month’s Asia Bike tradeshow in Nanjing, China.
The German cyclocross and road racing brand Haibike, part of the Accell Group-owned Winora family of brands, and MCipollini, Italian manufacturer of high-end carbon fiber road racing bikes, will join about 250 other brands at the July 26-29 fair.
Other exhibitors include Look, Shimano, BMC, DT Swiss, LaPierre, Bianchi, KTM and Corratec.
Asia Bike, now in its second year, is part of the much larger Asia Outdoor show, and is a cooperation between Nanjing International Exhibition Centre and Messe Friedrichshafen, organizer of Eurobike and the Outdoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Asia Bike hopes to become the go-to show for western brands looking to establish a presence in the emerging high-end Chinese market.
European Commission to review ruling on extra e-bike tests
BRUSSELS, Belgium (BRAIN)—The European Commission has agreed to review a directive that would require all pedal assisted bicycles to undergo testing on the levels of hazardous substances in all the bike’s components.
As it stands now, manufacturers of pedelecs with assistance up to 25 kilometers per hour and a motor output of 250 watts will have to prove that components are free of lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers as of Jan. 2, 2013.
After the directive was published last July, the European Commission enlisted a consultant to study the impact to 17 product groups, including pedelecs. The European Twowheeler Retailers’ Association (ETRA) lobbied against including pedelecs in the directive due to the negligible amount of hazardous substances in e-bikes, and the costs and resources associated with the testing.
ETRA’s persistence seems to have paid off as the consultant’s draft fact sheet on e-bikes recommends against including e-bikes in the directive. If the Commission accepts the recommendations, manufacturers still must adhere to a previous ruling that all electrical and electronic parts of pedelecs comply with hazardous substance testing.
ETRA does not have a timeline for the review.
Dahon adds Nikos Maniatopoulos S.A. as distributor for Greece and Cyprus
DUARTE, CA (BRAIN) Tuesday June 12 2012 9:00 AM MT—Folding bike maker Dahon has named Nikos Maniatopoulos S.A. as its distributor for Greece and Cyprus.
According to Dahon, despite the difficult economic situation in Greece and Cyprus, the cycling industry has continued to grow substantially as consumers turn to cost-effective and sustainable transportation solutions.
“We are thrilled to be working with the number one supplier of bicycles in Greece and Cyprus and it is also a great opportunity for Dahon to contribute a sustainable means of reliable transportation to the area.” said Dr. David Hon, founder and CEO.
Nikos Maniatopoulos S.A. was founded in the Greek city of Patras in 1926 and is the producer of Ideal bicycles.
Western governors tout economic value of outdoor recreation
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) Tuesday June 12 2012 9:05 AM MT—Americans spend $256 million a year on outdoor recreation in the West, employing 2.3 million people and generating $31 billion in local, state and federal taxes, according to figures released this week by the Western Governors' Association.
The data was released at the WGA annual meeting in Cle Elum, Washington, this week.
To access a copy of the WGA study of outdoor recreation in the West visit outdoorindustry.org.
Related: Previous News Briefs
