The LEVA EU member based in Böblingen, Germany, opened its doors for riders to explore its electric mobility offering.
SOL Motors invited the general public to experience its award-winning electric speed-pedelec bike, the Pocket Rocket, for its official test ride days on 16-17 May. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the design and engineering behind the Pocket Rocket series—known for its minimalist aesthetic, innovative V-frame construction, and high-efficiency rear hub motor that delivers immediate torque for an engaging ride.
Cycling enthusiasts were able to test two variants of the Pocket Rocket:
The Pocket Rocket: A nimble urban e-bike with a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of up to 108 km.
The Pocket Rocket S: A more powerful variant reaching speeds of up to 85 km/h, with a range of up to 68 km.
Both models feature a removable battery system, advanced braking technology, and have a lightweight yet robust design for smooth urban travel. More information about them can be accessed on SOL Motor’s website.
The LEVA EU member recently exhibited its latest electric drive systems with partner VSC Bike GmbH at the Internationale Spezialradmesse (SPEZI) in Lauchringen, Germany.
From 26-27 April, Pendix, a renowned German electric drive systems manufacturer, demonstrated at SPEZI how its versatile eDrive, eDrive IN, and the newly introduced gDrive can empower a range of bicycles, including e-bikes.
In addition to Pendix’s own innovations, the company was joined by its partner, VSC Bike GmbH, also a member of the Pendix group. Visitors to booth 211 had the opportunity to explore and test the WorkLoader, a robust and adaptable cargo bike that’s equipped with the Pendix eDriveIN system, designed for diverse professional applications. Also featured was the FINN cargo bike, which can be equipped with the Pendix eDriveIn system, and is now available in three new colors, underlining its appeal as a stylish yet highly practical transport solution.
Throughout the two-day event, attendees engaged with the Pendix team, explored emerging mobility trends, and took part in hands-on demonstrations. The event was a great demonstration of the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable transport through cutting-edge technology and creative collaboration.
Recently, LEVA-EU member Nijland Cycling marked a significant milestone: it celebrated its 35th anniversary with a festive open house event at its new headquarters, where guests were welcomed to tour the premises, meet the team, and celebrate the brand’s innovative legacy spanning over three decades.
On May 17 the social bicycle manufacturer held its open house event, which drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, including customers, business partners, and cycling enthusiasts. Attendees were invited to explore Nijland’s new building in Heeten in the Netherlands, as well as other company locations, offering an inside look at the company’s operations and recent developments.
In a warm and informal setting, visitors had the opportunity to engage with Nijland’s team, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about the company’s latest advancements in cycling technology and sustainable mobility. The event provided a platform for meaningful interactions around shared passions for cycling, innovation, and community.
The anniversary celebration was not only a moment to reflect on Nijland Cycling’s achievements over the past 35 years, but also an opportunity to look ahead. The company reaffirmed its commitment to smart, sustainable, and accessible mobility, expressing gratitude to all who have supported its journey.
Nijland Cycling was thankful to all event attendees for their presence and contributions to the memorable day, expressing optimism for the future and continued collaboration.
LEVA-EU member MAHLE has released a redesigned version of its SmartBike Lab app, aimed at improving functionality and usability for its users. The update is the result of direct input from dealers, with a focus on streamlining diagnostics and repair workflows.
The MAHLE SmartBike Lab app is a specialized mobile application developed by MAHLE SmartBike Systems, that has been created primarily for e-bike dealers and service technicians. The application serves as a comprehensive tool for diagnosing, configuring, and maintaining e-bikes equipped with MAHLE systems, such as the X20, X30, X35, and XS platforms
Its latest enhancements include:
A modernised interface featuring a refined colour palette and clearer icons for diagnostics, device installation, and component updates.
Simplified navigation, allowing users to access diagnosis tools, repair guidance, and engineering mode within just two taps.
Branding updates that bring the app in line with the broader MAHLE SmartBike identity.
Enhanced readability designed for use in workshop lighting environments.
These improvements are designed to make technical checks and firmware updates quicker and more efficient, ultimately helping service teams return bikes to riders faster. The updated SmartBike Lab app is now available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
LEVA-EU member ANTRIC has delivered one of its electric cargo bikes to Gesundheit Nord – Klinikverbund Bremen, marking a strategic step in the hospital association’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The delivery underscores ANTRIC’s growing role in Germany’s green mobility sector. The German e-mobility manufacturer began producing electric cargo bikes in 2022, building on its earlier collaborations with Bochum University of Applied Sciences, where it had been developing e-bikes and electric vehicles since 2015.
ANTRIC’s newly delivered cargo bike will be integrated into the hospital’s internal logistics system, supporting the transportation of materials across its facilities while helping reduce emissions and reliance on conventional vehicles.
Bremen has been promoting electric mobility since its original Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan since 2014, and reinforced its intentions to promote it in its updated 2025 plan with intentions of driving electric mobility. Bremen hospital’s partnership with ANTRIC aligns with the city’s broader strategy to encourage low-emission transport solutions and transition toward a more sustainable urban environment.
The XenoBike – a customised four-wheel electric bike made by XenomatiX in partnership with LEVA-EU member CityQ – is using its on-board road lidar technology to create a 3D model of 50km of the Belgian city of Mechelen’s bike paths.
XenoBike is specifically engineered to assess the condition of cycle lanes, identifying potential hazards such as cracks, potholes and bumps. The resulting digital model provides a quality rating along with practical recommendations for improvement. It has been developed on the foundations of a CityQ four-wheel e-bike, and being lightweight and compact is ideally suited to navigating narrow spaces such as cycle lanes.
The Mechelen inspections will be used to deliver added value in the management, safety and comfort of the city’s cycling infrastrucutre. The pilot project is part of the European project CitCom.ai, of which the City of Mechelen is a partner. XenomatiX secured the contract in 2023 for assessing bike lanes with AWV (Agentschap voor Wegen en Verkeer), the agency responsible for roads and traffic in Flanders.
The government of Bruges has requested more micromobility vehicles from LEVA-EU member EVpro to improve its cleaning efforts sustainably.
Following recent announcements about EVpro deploying its Stuyf Pickups to Brussels and the municipality of Schaarbeek in Belgium, it has now sent seven more of its Stuyf Pickups to help the Stad Brugge government keep the historic city centre of Bruges clean, with the region now having nine units, including one that is equipped with a high-pressure cleaner.
Bruges’ greening mobility efforts
In 2022, the city published an ambitious climate strategy for the next 30 years with aims to halve its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, including targets to make it a car-free, bicycle friendly city with initiatives including turning ninety of its streets into cycling zones and a subsidy encouraging families to ditch their cars.
With the expansion of its fleet in Bruges, EVpro reinforces its role as a key partner in the city’s transition toward cleaner, low-emission urban mobility.
Bafang, an LEVA-EU member which specialises in the development and manufacture of drive systems for e-bikes, has revealed its plans to move its European HQ to Cuijk in the Netherlands.
The brand was at China Cycle showcasing its newest products when its Chairman and General Manager, Wang Qinghoa, shared that the European HQ will be moving in the near future from its current location in Wijchen to Cuijk, and outlined the European layout, with reference to its factory in Wroclaw, Poland. “Assembly will also take place in the Netherlands, but that will not affect the location in Poland for the time being. Because the production costs are lower there and because this is Bafang’s service center for Europe.”
Bafang’s new H730 drive system
At the China Cycle trade show, Bafang exhibited its new H730, a whole system that consists of an auto-shifting 3-speed hub motor featuring Bafang’s GVT technology, a display, controller, both pedal and torque sensors, and battery. With this system that’s intended for city e-bikes, Bafang offers a smooth, intuitive riding experience, with enhanced ease of use and minimised maintenance. The colour display has the option of being integrated into the handlebars.
LEVA-EU members Stromer and Ellio were announced in first and second place respectively in the speed pedelec category of VAB’s Bike of the Year 2025 list, an annual round-up that assists in electric bike, speed pedelec or cargo bike purchasing decisions.
This is the eleventh edition of the popular “Bike of the Year” selection by VAB, a Belgian roadside assistance organisation that repairs bicycles, cars and motorcycles.
VAB’s Bike of the Year selection process
VAB winners are partly chosen by consumers as well as a professional jury of bicycle industry experts, with each of the bikes being judged on technical specifications such as manoeuvrability, steering behaviour, comfort, ergonomics, safety, pedal assistance and price-quality ratio. This year, there were 45 bicycles competing for Bike of the Year recognition in the categories of e-bike economy (a maximum support of 25 km/h, with a maximum price of €3,250), e-bike premium, speed pedelec, and new for this year, a cargo bike category for both longtail and box-type cargo bikes.
Stromer’s ST5 Smart.Shift crowned best speed pedelec
The VAB jury selected this model as their winner, with the panel of everyday riders and e-bike experts being impressed by the ST5 Smart.Shift’s powerful motor, dynamic riding feel, intuitive support as well as its high safety performance, “Especially the motor, support, ride feel and safety gave the ST5 Smart.Shift the edge,” says Jan Creten from VAB.
This model is a powerful crowd-pleaser with its quiet 850-watt rear-wheel motor, premium components, and electronic Pinion Smart.Shift system that delivers high performance with speed and precision, with a range of up to 180 km.
Its innovative design also comes with the groundbreaking Stromer Sound System and a new recyclable carbon-reinforced mudguard, which in comparison to aluminium mudguards, reduces CO2 footprint by 50%.
Stromer acknowledges the importance of winning the best speed pedelec award in empowering cleaner and more conscious commuting, “We want to inspire people to choose mobility that makes them — and society — healthier, happier, and more sustainable,” says Bram Ariese, Marketing Manager BeNeLux at myStromer Europe.
The Ellio Original takes the second podium place
VAB described the Ellio Original as being a credible runner-up with its sharp price of €6,995.
Ellio itself describes it as a speed pedelec that’s built for urban riders of varied ages and sizes, with highlights including its powerful double motor, automatic switching system, large removable battery and regenerative back-pedal brake. Its stealthy design has a 1150 WH battery which brings a range of 50-200 km, and is equipped to carry loads of up to 160 kg. More information about the Ellio Original can be found on the Ellio website.
