Flanders’ bicycle industry ecosystem

Universities and university colleges

• UGent – Together with Eddy Merckx Cycles, Ghent University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering conducts cutting-edge research on the safety and performance of professional racing bikes.
• KU Leuven – The Bakala Academy – or Athletic Performance Centre – is a world-class academy for research, innovation and education in sports. 
• University of Antwerp – The Product Development Design Research Team at the University of Antwerp works closely together with local bicycle companies.

• CONEBI – CONEBI is the result of the merger between COLIPED, the Association of the European Two-Wheeler Parts and Accessories Industry, and COLIBI, the Association of the European Bicycle and e-Bike Industry. As the Confederation of the European Bike Industry, CONEBI aims to grow both the bicycle industries and cycling cultures of every European country.
• ECF – The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) envisions meeting cyclists’ needs in Europe regarding transport, planning, management, environment, safety and health. 

• Ridley Bikes – For almost a quarter of a century, Ridley Bikes has been Belgium’s undisputed market leader in high-end racing bikes.
• Eddy Merckx Cycles – The Eddy Merckx Cycles company, named after the Belgian cycling legend, aims to manufacture the world’s finest carbon fiber and aluminum framed bicycles.
• BioRacer – Ever since the day their biomechanical bike fitting system was introduced among the pros, BioRacer has been hot. Their innovative, custom cycling clothing, including the aerosuit, is coveted by cyclists all over the world.
• Lazer Sport – The Belgian company, founded in 1919 and acquired by Japanese manufacturer Shimano in 2016, aims at “developing the best products with the best technologies”.
• Jaegher – To Jaegher, Eddy Merckx is not a god, but just one of the many racers who stop by the family’s bicycle workshop. Merckx would visit to pick up the bikes with which he won just about every race on the planet.

• The Royal Belgian Cycling League – The national governing body of bicycle racing in Belgium.
• Flanders’ Bike Valley – One of Flanders’ first bottom-up industry clusters and open innovation centers for the cycling industry.
• Agoria – The Transport Systems & Solutions business community of Agoria, Belgium’s national technology industry federation, supports companies active in the construction and assembly of transportation equipment (road, rail and water) and their suppliers.

• Flanders’ BikeVille – Backed by stalwarts and influencers of the Belgian cycling industry, Flanders’ BikeVille supports the R&D set-up of start-ups and company spin-offs related to cycling, be they national or international.

• Velofollies – The largest and most varied event dedicated to cycling in Belgium and Luxembourg. Every year, a massive bike show is organized, offering visitors an overall picture of the cycling market.
• Bike of the year – These awards, organized by technology federation Agoria and Flanders’ mobility association VAB, are given to the best bikes available on the Belgian market. Last year’s three category winners were a French, a German and a Belgian company.