Laws & Regulations

The United States Supreme Court decision to strike down US President Donald Trump's tariffs, followed by his swift executive order to implement new 10% tariffs, has thrown the global bicycle industry into disarray. In the wake of this political jockeying for control over imports and the billions of dollars they represent, European Union bike importers now face a complicated legal process to recover what they lost to the now-defunct IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) tariffs.

A persistent and far-reaching campaign by the United States trade organisation PeopleForBikes to prevent bicycles and e-bikes from becoming subject to high metal tariffs has paid off. US President Donald Trump announced in early April that the bicycle industry would not be subject to the new Section 232 steel and aluminium tariffs, which would have cost manufacturers millions on imported steel and aluminium products.

The bicycle industry is entering a new phase of digital maturity. Connected e-bikes, rider apps and smart diagnostics are generating unprecedented volumes of user data, turning bikes into "a data collector on wheels." Bike Europe sat down with Paolo Balboni, an expert European lawyer specialised in privacy, data sharing and cybersecurity law, to better understand how companies can mitigate risk and stay compliant.

As the e-bike industry prepares for the impending battery regulatory overhaul in the European Union, readyness and compliance are becoming increasingly important topics. Bike Europe has created a working timeline of key deadlines related to the battery regulations to support companies as they position themselves within the new framework.

Starting 18 February, 2027, the European Union will mandate a digital battery passport for all light means of transport (LMT) batteries, including e-bikes, to enhance sustainability and traceability. This digital record, accessed via QR code, will contain detailed information on the battery's composition, carbon footprint, technical performance and lifecycle. With one year to go, various solutions and regulatory clarity for the e-bike market are beginning to take shape.

The European and Indian bicycle industries have always maintained close ties, although the trade volume remained relatively low. This might change drastically now: after almost 20 years of difficult talks, the Free Trade Agreement was agreed on 27 January in New Delhi. It's the biggest deal ever made by either side, which has also been eagerly awaited by the bicycle industry.

Singapore-based DuTech Holding Ltd. is rapidly snapping up a series of companies in the bicycle industry. As a global player in cash-handling machines (ATMs), the company is now also eyeing the bicycle industry, particularly in Europe. As the bicycle industry's financial position has remained weak since the aftermath of the pandemic, this strategic investor is a welcome guest for many companies.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission announced that the European Union will continue to apply the existing import measures, such as import duties or anti-dumping measures on bicycles from China, as there is no valid reason to lift them. To prevent circumvention, the European Commission considers it necessary to apply these duties to all bicycles made in China, plus all shipments from seven countries. A total of 13 bicycle manufacturers across these countries are exempt from this measure.

ATHENS, Greece - A coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor's Office in June 2025 has resulted in the arrest of six individuals, the seizure of 2,435 shipping containers and an estimated €250 million worth of e-bikes, textiles and footwear. Customs officers were among those arrested. Since the raid, Greek customs authorities have reported higher compliance, with importers at the port of Piraeus declaring similar goods at prices closer to their actual value.

MONTREUIL, France - French authorities have uncovered a vast financial fraud network in a large-scale investigation that involved over 70,000 Chinese-made e-bikes across six storage sites in the country. The losses amount to €6 million.

TALINN, Estonia - "One of the most important mobility tools of our time, affordable, sustainable, and perfect for modern cities, is stuck in an analogue mindset. The cycling industry keeps polishing mechanical parts while the rest of the world has moved on," connectivity specialist Comodule wrote in a recent blog. The company laments at how e-bikes are creating a smoother commute, "but the bike itself is disconnected and largely dumb."

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - The e-bike is evolving rapidly and new user groups are entering the market, writes editor-in-chief Jan-Willem van Schaik in his editorial. "The question is whether the e-bike can keep the same classification and will continue to be seen as a bicycle. The classification as a bicycle has important legal implications."

While the long-awaited GPSR guidelines have finally appeared, offering disappointingly little clarity, the next regulation is already lining up for everyone involved in selling products in the EU: the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The PPWR entered into force on 11 February 2025 and will start to apply from 12 August 2026, with many design and documentation obligations ramping up further between 2026 and 2030. Just as companies are still implementing the GPSR, the PPWR is already demanding attention.

As the dust settles after December 13, 2024 - of course you all know by now that's the date when the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into effect - numerous ambiguities remain. Flaws, gaps, and even loopholes are crying out for more clarity. At the time of writing this blog, we are still awaiting the European Commission's guidance document, which is expected to provide some of this much-needed clarity.