Building Safer Cities, with Bike Data
Spin Scooters Exits San Jose, New E-Bike Standards Come into Effect in China, Lime Suspends its Services in Brussels, Giant's Net Income Hit 10-Year Low and more...
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Micromobility America 2026
January 14 - 15, 2026 | Palace of Fine Arts | San Francisco
Join the premier event for small electric vehicles, shared mobility, and next-generation urban transport. Micromobility America brings together the most influential voices in mobility innovation - from founders and policymakers to retailers and investors.
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What You Need to Know Today
Chain Reaction: How Bike Accidents Make Us Smarter?
In this Micromobility Europe 2025 session, Tanguy Goretti (Co-Founder, Cowboy) and Boen Groothoff (Product Owner Smart Mobility, City of Amsterdam) explore how micromobility, data analytics, and urban planning intersect to improve cycling safety in cities like Amsterdam. They discuss the role of e-bike data in identifying dangerous hotspots, the history of cycling culture in Amsterdam, and innovative infrastructure solutions designed to protect riders.
San Jose Seeking New Scooter Operator
In San Jose, Spin suspended its shared e-scooter operations on August 27 after the city council declined to renew its one-year contract, citing the company’s failure to meet the required minimum of 500 scooters. At its peak, Spin deployed 499 scooters in November 2024, but on average, only about 240 were on the streets. In the first half of 2025, the company reported losing more than 400 scooters to theft and vandalism.
Spin sought to continue with fewer than 500 scooters despite a permit for up to 1k, but San Jose rejected the request, citing service goals. The city is now seeking a new operator, with applications due September 12 and a relaunch planned for October 1.
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Wandsworth Council Cracks Down on Parking
Starting September 1, 2025, Wandsworth City Council launched a new enforcement scheme to remove and impound dangerously parked e-bikes and e-scooters, with costs charged to operators. In 2024 alone, riders made over 7.7m e-bike trips, while more than 37k e-scooter trips have been recorded since their launch in May 2025. Monthly usage is now at its highest levels. To improve parking, the council has already installed 170 dedicated bays, with an additional 105 planned later this year.
Giant Profits Sink to Decade Low
Giant Manufacturing Co. posted a 7.4% revenue decline in 2024, bringing total revenue to $2.28B. Net income also fell sharply, down 62.8% to a decade-low of $47m. A global slowdown, tight inventory, and weakening Western demand weighed heavily. Meanwhile, Giant managed to cut its inventory ratio and saw strong momentum in China’s own-brand sales, showing resilience in a shifting market.
French Customs Bust E-Bike Scam
French authorities uncovered a major fraud scheme involving over 70k Chinese-made e-bikes stored across six warehouses, with losses estimated at €6m. The bikes were smuggled in via front companies and false documents to avoid EU anti-dumping duties and taxes. In March 2025, customs raided the sites, seizing the stock and exposing networks selling through online platforms. The probe, linked to wider EU efforts like Project Calypso, highlights large-scale illegal e-bike imports across Europe, with total damages nearing €700m.
Cardiff Seizes 135 Illegal E-Bikes
Cardiff Council and South Wales Police seized 135 illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters in a month-long operation targeting anti-social and dangerous riding. One seized e-bike could reach 86 mph and had no functioning brakes. The vehicles, often modified to exceed legal speed and power limits, were confiscated in areas with high public complaints. Under UK law, e-bikes must be pedal-assisted, limited to 15.5 mph, and have a motor under 250W. All seized vehicles will be dismantled and scrapped to prevent their return to the streets, with further enforcement actions planned.
Asheville Updates Micromobility Rules
Asheville City Council has updated its micromobility ordinance, allowing e-scooters, skateboards, and other personal micromobility vehicles in bike lanes and other designated transportation facilities across the city. Previously restricted to streets and sidewalks in business districts, these changes aim to modernize transport policies and expand safe, affordable travel options.
Netherlands Plans Helmet Law for Minors
The Dutch government plans to mandate helmets for minors on e-bikes by late 2026, a response to mounting fatbike-related injuries. The government is aiming to pass it through parliament by the end of 2026. According to VeiligheidNL, out of 74.3k Emergency Department visits from bike accidents, 2.2k were from fatbikes. This number was zero in 2020.
China Rolls Out Tougher E-Bike Rules
China’s revised Safety Technical Specifications for e-bikes (GB 17761-2024) took effect on September 1, 2025, bringing stricter rules on speed (25 km/h cap with GPS cutoff), fire resistance, plastic use, braking, and weight limits (55 kg lithium, 63 kg lead-acid). The overhaul targets unsafe models and has already reduced fire incidents by 45% in early 2025. Transition rules allow old-standard bikes made before August 31 to be sold until November 30, but from December 1, non-compliant models will be banned. Existing owners can keep or trade in their bikes. As of July 2025, 9.06m compliant bikes had already been sold, supported by subsidies.
Toronto Police Launch Micromobility Safety Campaign
Toronto Police have launched a three-week safety enforcement campaign targeting micromobility vehicles, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, to ensure compliance with traffic rules. Running until September 13, the campaign emphasizes both education and enforcement on issues such as riding on sidewalks, traveling in the wrong direction, and failing to obey traffic signals. The initiative also prioritizes school zone safety as students return to classes. Fines, including a $110 penalty for failing to stop at stop signs, will be enforced.
Lime Withdraws Scooters in Brussels
Lime has suspended its bike and scooter-sharing service in Brussels after its operating license was deemed non-compliant. The company had withdrawn 6k vehicles in July when its permit expired, but briefly relaunched via a license transfer, which regulators later rejected. Lime is now awaiting a final ruling from the Council of State in December on the legality of Brussels’ decision to limit operators.
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