At the end of December 2017, the World Bicycle Industry Association (WBIA) was founded in Switzerland. The Bicycle Association Japan (BAJ), the Bicycle Products Suppliers Association based in the US (BPSA), the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) are its founding members.

The WBIA is a non-profit association which represents the Bicycle, E-bike and Bicycle parts and Accessories Industry at global level. Its main purpose is to join forces and to actively participate in the technical meetings at the United Nations facility in Geneva. Here the different Working Parties of the World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) discuss various technical matters such as safety, noise or lighting, that are important for the bicycle industry.

During its first General Assembly on 31st August 2017, the first Board of Directors and Treasurer of the WBIA were appointed:

• President: CONEBI – Mr. René J. Takens

• 1st Vice-President: BAJ – Mr. Satoshi Yuasa

• 2nd Vice-President: BPSA - Mr. Larry Pizzi

• Treasurer: TBA - Mr. Michael Tseng

As Mr. Erhard Büchel recently became CONEBI President, he is taking over the WBIA Presidency as well. The WBIA Board of Directors and Treasurer hold a 2 year mandate, during which they will manage the work of the WBIA and will be responsible for the press contacts in their respective region. The WBIA will be supported by the Secretariat of the association holding the Presidency, which will be CONEBI Secretariat for the first 2 years.