Research
The frames manufacturers or makers in Belgium are
Achielle, Pittem
Oxford, Sint Niklaas (update after more research: it appears that Oxford doesn't make its frames in Belgium)
Dejonckheere, Gistel
Vlerick fietsen, De Pinte (no longer building frames)
Nicolas Noblet, Arlon
Het Fietslab, Leuven
Ecurie, Forest
Cycloop, Mechelen
Cycad, Brussels
LeBaron, Jette
Prestige, Wetteren
Norta, Olen (update after more research: it appears that Norta doesn't make its frames in Belgium)
REIN4CED, Leuven
Vélo Bamboumeuse, Namur
Felix Cycles, Leefdaal
Cycles Rouge Gorge, Liège
Credits to Philippe Serruys for putting this overview on a map (see announcement):
As you can see, there aren't many brands manufacturing their frames in Belgium. The market is still very linear, with frames production taking place in Asia and being imported to Belgium.
France is becoming a niche with artistans manufacturing bicycle frames sur mesure. You can find an extensive list here and a clear map here below. Prices are extremely high as the bicycles are unique and tailor-made (minimum 4000€ per unit).
In 2019, the EU produced 11.4 million bicycles and exported 1 million of its production.
Portugal: 2.7 million
Italy: 2.1 million
Germany: 1.5 million
Poland: 0.9 million
The Netherlands: 0.7 million
These 5 countries together account for 70% of the EU production of bicycles. Source here.
As you now understand, most of the production still comes from Asia. In 2019, imported bicycles mainly came from Taiwan, Cambodia, China and the Philippines. More than 50% of the electric bicycles were imported from Taiwan, followed by Vietnam, China & Switzerland. Source here
Open source bicycles:
XYZ Cargo, Germany
Vélo Libre, France
Fabrique des mobilités, France
Raw materials such as steel, aluminum, copper and oil exist in finite quantities. There's simply no sufficient global resources to continue to feed the demand of the world's population. Every year, we dump a 2.12 billion tons of waste & 99% of the stuff we buy is trashed within 6 months (source here). It's also estimated that roughly 15 million bikes are discarded by their owners every year (source here).
What are the projects currently busy addressing this issue? What organizations are trying to switch from the linear production (take, make and dispose) to a circular economy?
Rue Voot, Brussels | A bicycle for 10 years
Cyclo, Brussels | Project to be announced
Cycad, Brussels | Bamboo bicycles available for leasing
Mo Cyclette, Lokeren | Second life bicycles
France
Apart from the vintage - upcycled - market, many new startups in France are offering services to turn old bicycles into e-bikes - rather than having people buy another bike. A list of startups can be found here.
Breizh Bamboo Bike, Brest
UK
UK is probably the most interesting country when it comes to circularity in the bicycle industry.
Isla Bikes, Ludlow | UK brand who launche the Imagine Project, one of the most advanced projects to identify new ways to produce local, open & circular bicycles.
Bamboo Bicycle Club, London | Bamboo bicycles sold in kit or to be built by users.
The Big Bike Revival, UK | NGO who identified that the primary cause of people dumping their bicycles is their unability to fix it and therefore organize trainings & workshops.
London Bike Kitchen | Teach cyclists how to maintain and repair their bicycles.
BEAMZ Wooden Bikes | Bamboo bicycle
Twmpa Cycles | Wooden Gravel Bike
Roetz-bikes, Holland | Vintage design bicycles made from repurposed steel frames. Also makes electric bicycles!
DutchFiets, Holland | Plastic & recyclable bicycle
Bicycled, Madrid | A bicycle made from cars (launched in 2013 and literally no news since then)
Rediscover Cycling, Ireland | Bicycle reuse social enterprise building & reconditioning bicycles
Velosophy, Sweden | Bicycle made of recycled Nespresso cups
Recycled aluminium from cars made into bike sharing docks, Bergen (Norway)
Bjorn Bikes, Canada | 60% recycled stainless steel. You can read more info here
Overall, one of the biggest mouvement in circularity is the trend of upcycled vintage bicycles such as Steel Vintage Bikes, ReCycle & BiCycle, Vintage Velo Berlin, French Wheels, ect.
Syntra, Belgium
LaFraise Cycles, Roubaix
Bamboo is an incredibly strong material used to building bicycles since the early 1900. As it's a material easy to find, it is one of the most important do-it-yourself material there is. You can easily find tutorials on how to build your own bamboo bicycle.
Fablabo, France | Elaborated wiki on how to build your own bamboo frame
Instructables, USA | Same as above
Bamboo Bicycle Club, UK | Sells bamboo gravel kit to assemble yourself.
Others DIY:
Vélo Libre, France
Vélofilie, Holland
Framebouwen, Holland
Hub Brussels has published an analysis of the characteristics and the potential market in Brussels Region (French here & Dutch here). Agoria also recently published an extensive research about the Belgian bicycle industry (link here).
We also recommend the book "Circular Revolution, a practical guide to creating a circular cycling economy", which summarizes good theoritical knowledge and inspirations.
