Bruce Family

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
See also: [[transportation:electric_bikes|Electric Bikes]]

===== Articles =====

== Don't buy a new electric bike till next week: VanMoof to launch affordable version of its stunning S2 e-bike ==

And you can even live stream the launch: here's how

By Duncan Bell - 18 April 2020

One of the best electric bikes you can buy, without any doubt, is VanMoof's S2. Priced at £3,198 it merges tech and bike to brilliant effect, offering a brilliantly smooth urban ride, with electrical assistance and automatic gear-shifting, so you can waft along at 15-20mph without raising a sweat. There's also built-in locking, alarm and GPS to ward off thieves who are naturally drawn to its impeccably-designed, iconic form. The unique shape isn't just so it turns heads – the extended crossbar houses integrated lights. 

However, as good as it is, we suggest you don't buy one right now. Why? Cos its replacement the S3 is to be unveiled next week, and it is WAY cheaper. 

https://www.t3.com/au/news/vanmoof-s3-x3-launch-april-21

== VanMoof S3 e-bike review: better than the best ==

And less expensive, too

By Thomas Ricker - Apr 21, 2020, 8:00am EDT

ElectricElectric bikes, like cars, come in tiers of quality and prestige. Dependable commuter bikes start at around $1,000. At $1,500, they start to look nice, with batteries and motors integrated into the overall aesthetic. Above $2,000 you start seeing sleek designs, advanced electronics, and a preponderance of high-end or original components. On that scale, VanMoof’s premium prices have made it the BMW of e-bikes (or Tesla, if you prefer).

https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/21/21227976/vanmoof-s3-electric-bike-review-price-specs

== VanMoof's S3 and X3 e-bikes are cheaper and packed with refinements ==

The company is inching closer to its Model 3 moment.

Nick Summers - 21 April 2020

We love VanMoof's electric bicycles, but they're hardly an impulse purchase. The Electrified S2 and X2, for instance, launched with a $2,598 price-tag two years ago -- and that was with an $800 early-bird discount. For its third-gen lineup, then, it's no surprise that the company has chosen refinement and affordability over expensive innovations. The new S3 and X3 will cost $1,998 which, while undeniably expensive, is the cheapest e-bike range that VanMoof has ever put together. It's technically an "introduction price," but one that shouldn't change unless COVID-19 has a massive impact on the business. "We’re launching at this price and we intend to keep [the] S3 and X3 at this price," a spokesperson told Engadget.

From afar, the S3 and X3 look the same as their stylish predecessors. The S3 has a conventional frame shape and 28-inch wheels that are designed for riders between 175cm and 210cm tall. The X3, meanwhile, has a head-turning 'cross' frame and 24-inch wheels that suit a slightly smaller cyclist. The city-centric frame also has a small space on the front with stretchy straps for stowing a bag or small parcel. In the past, VanMoof has sold a basket accessory that clips onto this part of the frame, making it even easier to transport grocery bags and other precarious items.

https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-s3-x3-electric-smart-bicycle-launch-120056621.html

== VanMoof raises $13.5M to capitalize on e-bike boom in wake of COVID-19 ==

Mike Butcher / 9:00 pm PDT•May 12, 2020

VanMoof, the Dutch e-bike startup that launched in 2009, is now officially a “scale-up” after attracting a €12.5M ($13.5M) investment from London VC Balderton Capital and SINBON Electronics, the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer that is its bike assembly partner.

The funds will be used for international expansion following the launch of the new electric VanMoof S3 and X3 bikes.

The announcement comes at a fortuitous time. Cities all over Europe are gingerly emerging from lockdown during the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and European governments are desperate to get their economies moving. But much of the official advice is to avoid public transport where possible due to the near-impossibility of social distancing.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/12/vanmoof-raises-13-5m-to-capitalize-on-e-bike-boom-in-wake-of-covid-19/

== VanMoof’s S3 e-bike is better, cheaper, and just as stylish ==

The best VanMoof yet.

Nick Summers, 14 May 2020

VanMoof is like the Allbirds of e-bikes. The upstart has struck a chord with technology-loving people who care deeply about design and sustainable living. That niche, though, is only so large. To grow even further, the company has to move a little more mainstream and make its premium bikes a tad cheaper. That’s where the S3 and X3 come in. Both models — which are practically the same, save for the frame shape and wheel size — are visually similar to their second-gen predecessors. They have familiar features, too, such as integrated frame lights and a special kick lock.

https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-s3-electric-bicycle-review-123059628.html

== VanMoof raises $40 million as ebike sales surge ==

Paul Sawers - September 16, 2020 3:01 AM

Electric bikes have been gaining momentum for a few years, with Deloitte predicting in 2019 that ebikes would continue to surge in popularity. But the COVID-19 crisis accelerated ebike sales exponentially in markets around the world. In the U.S. specifically, ebike sales jumped 190% in June compared to the corresponding period the previous year, according to data from the NPD Group. Reports now suggest the global ebike market could be worth $46 billion by 2026 — up from less than $8 billion in 2018.

Against this backdrop, VanMoof has managed to secure another $40 million in funding just four months after raising $13.5 million, as the Dutch ebike firm looks to keep up with demand created by the global pandemic. The company said its revenue has risen 220% during lockdown and now sits at $100 million, with the U.S. emerging as its third-fastest-growing market.

https://venturebeat.com/2020/09/16/vanmoof-raises-40-million-amid-ebike-boom/

== VanMoof X3: five months later ==

A great e-bike, with caveats

By Sam Byford - Dec 8, 2020, 7:46am EST 

Five months ago yesterday, I took delivery of a VanMoof X3 e-bike. It’s up there as one of the more expensive personal purchases I’ve ever made, living as I do in Tokyo without any need for a car. But like a lot of other people this year, I felt moved to avoid public transport as the coronavirus pandemic intensified, and VanMoof’s latest models came at the right time.

I was pretty sure I’d like the X3. I’d test-ridden the original Electrified X three years prior, when it was first released as a bike designed with Tokyo in mind, and I’d wanted one ever since. The $1,998 X3 is more powerful and more affordable, with a bunch of new features that sealed the deal.

https://www.theverge.com/22162936/vanmoof-x3-long-term-review

== VanMoof's PowerBank can boost its e-bikes' range by up to 62 miles ==

The accessory can add add a range between 28 and 62 miles, depending on the pedal assist level.

Mariella Moon - April 20th, 2021

VanMoof's S3 e-bike can provide assistance for 37 to 93 miles before it runs out of power, but the company's new accessory can extend that range considerably. The company has launched a removable PowerBank for its S3 and X3 electric bikes, giving you a way to add a range between 28 and 62 miles. Of course, the additional range you'll get depends on your pedal assist level: If you ride with the lowest level, the PowerBank can potentially help you stretch the e-bike's range to 150 miles. That's comparable to the range of average electric cars, such as the standard Nissan Leaf.

https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-powerbank-62-miles-range-boost-121026751.html

== VanMoof raises $128 million to become the world’s leading e-bike brand ==

Romain Dillet / 9:00 PM PDT•August 31, 2021

Amsterdam-based startup VanMoof has raised a $128 million Series C funding round. The company designs and sells electric bikes that are quite popular in some markets. It now wants to become the world’s leading e-bike brand by iterating at a faster pace.

Asia-based private equity firm Hillhouse Investment is leading the round, with Gillian Tans, the former CEO of Booking.com, also participating. Some existing investors also put some more money on the table, such as Norwest Venture Partners, Felix Capital, Balderton Capital and TriplePoint Capital.

Today’s Series C represents a big jump compared to the company’s Series B. Last year, VanMoof raised a $40 million Series B. Overall, if you add it all up, the startup has raised $182 million in total.

If you’re not familiar with VanMoof’s e-bikes, TechCrunch reviewed both the most recent S3 and X3 models. On paper, they are identical. The VanMoof X3 features a smaller frame and smaller wheels.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/31/vanmoof-raises-128-million-to-become-the-worlds-leading-e-bike-brand

== VanMoof Raises $128 Million To Become 'Most Funded e-Bike Company In the World' ==

Posted by BeauHD on Wednesday September 01, 2021 03:42PM

VanMoof says it's now "the most funded e-bike company in the world," after raising a total of $182 million in the last two years. The Verge reports:

	The company claims to have almost 200,000 bikes on the road currently, with the goal of getting 10 million people on VanMoof e-bikes in the next five years. Such aggressive expansion goals require significant capital. VanMoof's new funding round has been earmarked to expand production and to "reinvent the way in which hardware and software components are made," according to a blog post announcing the new investment round. More specifically, VanMoof co-founder Taco Carlier tells The Verge in a phone interview that most of the funds will go towards R&D, "having more people on the hardware and software development in order to improve the quality and reliability of the bike." 

https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/21/09/01/2045243/vanmoof-raises-128-million-to-become-most-funded-e-bike-company-in-the-world

== VanMoof teases new high-speed electric bike ==

Romain Dillet / 8:46 AM PDT October 12, 2021

E-bike manufacturer VanMoof recently raised a $128 million funding round. And the company is already using some of that cash to develop a brand new product — the VanMoof V. This is a new product in the VanMoof lineup, a high-speed bike.

The VanMoof V isn’t available just yet. Instead, the company teased the new bike in a live YouTube video. The company plans to release the VanMoof V by the end of 2022. It should cost approximately $3,598, €3,498 or £2,998 according to the landing pages on VanMoof’s website.

What you get for that price is an electric bike with two motors — one in the front wheel and one in the rear wheel. There are two suspension systems at the front and at the back of the vehicle to help you with uneven streets. The VanMoof V also features thick tires for increased safety.

https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/12/vanmoof-teases-new-high-speed-electric-bike/

== VanMoof's fastest e-bike yet tops out at 31 MPH ==

The company plans to start shipping its first hyperbike in late 2022.

Kris Holt - October 12th, 2021

E-bike maker VanMoof is looking to help riders get from A to B more swiftly with its first high-speed model. The VanMoof V is the company’s first hyperbike, which will be able to hit a top speed of 31 MPH (50 km/h).

VanMoof is pitching this as a car replacement for city life and longer commutes. The VanMoof V will have two-wheel drive, thicker tires, a new frame design and front and rear suspension, which could make lengthier trips more comfortable. Other features include intelligent motor control, VanMoof's Turbo Boost, a Kick Lock for keyless locking, automatic gear shifting and measures to combat theft.

Details about the e-bike's range haven't been revealed, but VanMoof noted the battery has a 700 wH capacity. The VanMoof S3 has a 504 Wh battery capacity and a promised range of 60-150 km (37-93 miles). The company sells a PowerBank accessory that can increase the range, but it's unclear whether that device will be compatible with the VanMoof V.

https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-v-e-bike-hyperbike-fastest-150015459.html

== VanMoof’s dual-motor 31 MPH electric bicycle has over 10,000 reservations, and it’s not even legal ==

Micah Toll - Jan. 20th 2022 4:19 am PT 

Late last year, VanMoof unveiled the VanMoof V as a high-performance electric bicycle that the Dutch brand referred to as a “hyperbike.” Now the company claims to have surpassed 10,000 reservations, despite the bike reaching a top speed that isn’t legal in most countries.

When VanMoof rolled out its concept for the VanMoof V last October, it did so partly to challenge existing policies around electric bicycles.

In most of Europe, electric bicycles are largely limited to slow speeds of just 25 km/h (15.5 mph).

In the US, riders have a bit more leeway with options for 20-28 mph (32-45 km/h), depending on the class of e-bike.

But the VanMoof V concept was unveiled with a top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) thanks to a pair of 500W motors. The company says that the bike will be capable of power and speed limiting to match local regulations in each country. But there remain few places where the e-bike would be street legal in its unlocked power mode.

https://electrek.co/2022/01/20/vanmoofs-dual-motor-31-mph-electric-bicycle-has-over-10000-reservations-and-its-not-even-legal/

== The Morning After: VanMoof's two new different, but stylish, e-bikes ==

One's built for longer rides.

Mat Smith - April 6th, 2022

If I ever take the plunge on an electric bike, I hope it’s a slick VanMoof. The company has unveiled two new models that are, unfortunately, slightly more expensive than their predecessors, but pack in a bunch of upgrades alongside impressive anti-theft technology. The S5 and A5 will each cost $2,998, but VanMoof hasn’t shared a release date just yet.

The new S5 is for longer rides. VanMoof reworked the straight frame to increase the height of the riding position and changed to larger 27.5-inch wheels for a smoother experience. Meanwhile, the A5 is more for shorter trips. It has an angled frame with a lower step-in and 24-inch wheels. There's support for both rear and front carriers as well. Both bikes weigh over 44 pounds.

https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-van-moof-s5-a5-ebike-111532746.html

== Vigilante Justice: VanMoof’s Team of ‘Bike Hunters’ Appears to Succeed Where the City Doesn’t ==

David Sjostedt - Jul. 13, 2022 at 4:03pm

When Ryan Eastman was growing up in Petaluma, transfixed by the Tour de France on television, he never dreamed that his love of bicycles would lead him to a career partly spent scrounging for stolen two-wheelers in less-than-savory locales across San Francisco. 

But after a bad crash brought an end to his professional cycling career, it wasn’t long before Eastman found himself working for VanMoof, an electric bike company with a storefront on Valencia Street in the Mission District, where part of his job is hunting for stolen bikes.

His misadventures riding into the nooks and crannies of the city have afforded Eastman an unusual vantage point into property crime in the city. 

“I think a lot of people that steal these bikes end up flipping them on the street for a couple hundred bucks or for other probably illegal items,” Eastman said. “Their excuse is always the same: ‘My buddy sold me this bike.’” 

https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/vigilante-justice-vanmoofs-team-of-bike-hunters-appears-to-succeed-where-the-city-doesnt/

== Major electric bike maker came close to financial collapse at end of 2022 ==

Micah Toll - Jan 25 2023 - 1:18 am PT

Only a couple years ago, electric bicycle manufacturers couldn’t keep e-bikes on the shelves as they were being snatched up faster than they could be produced. But while some e-bike companies have managed to keep up a steady cash flow and balanced operations, others have run into financial difficulties. For European e-bike maker VanMoof, those difficulties turned into a dire situation just a few months ago.

As reported by Dutch media company Financieele Dagblad, VanMoof nearly ran out of money to pay its bills late last year.

The company has since managed to raise sufficient funding from its original British and Chinese investors to make it out of the woods, but there were surely some sleepless nights for the management team at the end of 2022.

VanMoof’s annual report, filed at the end of last year, described the company’s immediate need to raise capital. Without a quick injection of funds, the company could not guarantee its “ability to continue its activities beyond the first quarter of 2023.”

https://electrek.co/2023/01/25/vanmoof-financial-situation-electric-bikes/



===== Software =====

== VanMoof Encryption Key Exporter ==

Unfortunately, in recent months news have come up saying VanMoof isn’t in a very good financial state and had to be rescued in December 2022 by a number of unnamed investors, source. Also, at the time of writing this README, end of June 2023, VanMoof has halted all sales.

The Bluetooth connection between your smartphone and your VanMoof is encrypted for security purposes. Each time you log into your VanMoof account, this encryption key is being downloaded from VanMoof’s server. If these servers will go offline one day - for whatever reason - the encryption keys are lost forever and you have no way of communicating with your bike.

With this tool, we want to make sure everyone can use their VanMoof even after these servers become unreachable - preventing e-waste.

https://github.com/grossartig/vanmoof-encryption-key-exporter





===== Bankruptcy =====

== 'Most Funded e-Bike Company In the World' Pauses eBike Sales, Sparking Rumors of Bankruptcy ==

Posted by BeauHD on Tuesday July 11, 2023 05:45PM

In late 2021, VanMoof claimed to be "the most funded e-bike company in the world" after raising a total of $182 million in the two years prior -- a figure that would later surpass $200 million. Now, according to multiple sources spoken to by TechCrunch, the Dutch e-bike company's strategy and momentum "appear to have steered dangerously off course." From the report:

<blockquote>
Our sources tell us that VanMoof is working on securing a bridge round that will help it stay afloat. Sources also claim that senior staff, including the CEO and a co-founder, as well as the president (who is also an investor) have left executive roles in the business. The company has refused to provide any on-the-record comment on its status until later this week. But the facts are plain: The company has, as of June 29 and by its own admission, stopped taking orders. VanMoof also filed paperwork, revealed in January, of its need to raise money to stave off bankruptcy.
</blockquote>

https://slashdot.org/story/23/07/11/2232244/most-funded-e-bike-company-in-the-world-pauses-ebike-sales-sparking-rumors-of-bankruptcy

== Van-oof! E-bike startup VanMoof, unable to pay bills, files for payment deferment in Holland ==

Ingrid Lunden and Mike Butcher - 11 July 2023

//UPDATE: VanMoof has confirmed its application for a suspension of payment and the temporary shutdown of its physical stores. The startup said it would provide more updates shortly.//

E-bike startup VanMoof has applied to a local court for an official suspension of payment provision after running out of money, the company has confirmed to TechCrunch.

Is VanMoof about to go “poof”? According to a report in the Dutch publication NRC, VanMoof is not officially bankrupt with this move: This is a particular scheme in the country that is designed to help a company try to avoid that, and give a temporary protection from creditors.

“The court has also ordered a cooling down period (‘afkoelingsperiode’) of two months,” Thijs Plug, global PR lead, told TechCrunch. “Together with the management of VanMoof the administrators are currently assessing the situation in order to find a solution so that VanMoof can continue its activities.”

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/12/report-vanmoof-has-filed-for-bankruptcy-protection-in-holland/

== VanMoof Explores Sale Under Court Protection Because It Can't Pay Bills ==

Posted by msmash on Wednesday July 12, 2023 01:02PM

swinferno shares a report:

<blockquote>
VanMoof -- the Amsterdam-based e-bike maker that once bragged about being the "most funded e-bike company in the world" -- has turned to the Dutch courts for legal protection in order to give the company time to pay its bills. The company is exploring all possible routes out of its debt, including a possible sale, according to a source familiar with the matter. All options are on the table as the company looks for a path to survival. The company is also temporarily closing its brand stores. Amid rumors of trouble, angry customers descended on VanMoof's flagship Amsterdam store and service center (and former global HQ) on Wednesday to claim their bikes that had been brought in for service weeks ago.
</blockquote>

https://slashdot.org/story/23/07/12/1931209/vanmoof-explores-sale-under-court-protection-because-it-cant-pay-bills

== VanMoof ‘temporarily’ stops selling e-bikes in shock move, stoking rumors ==

Micah Toll - Jul 10 2023 - 12:58 pm PT 

VanMoof, one of the most recognizable electric bike brands in Europe, surprised the industry by pausing all orders for its e-bikes and accessories on the popular brand’s website.

The move comes just two months after VanMoof launched its newest generation of electric bikes described as “ingeniously simple.”

Visitors to VanMoof’s website will find a pop-up explaining that the company has paused orders to catch up with current demand:

<blockquote>
We have temporarily paused sales to catch up on the production and delivery of existing orders. Rest assured – this has no effect on servicing.
</blockquote>

https://electrek.co/2023/07/10/vanmoof-temporarily-stops-selling-e-bikes/

== VanMoof ebike mess highlights a risk with all pricey smart hardware ==

Ben Lovejoy - Jul 14 2023 - 5:30 am PT

Anyone with a VanMoof ebike is likely concerned after the Dutch company confirmed that it is in financial trouble.

One of those concerns is that an app is required to use many of the smart features of its bikes – and that app relies on communication with VanMoof servers. If the company goes under, and the servers go offline, that could leave ebike owners unable to even unlock their bikes …

https://9to5mac.com/2023/07/14/vanmoof-ebike-mess/

== If VanMoof eBikes Locks You Out of Your Own Bike, a Rival Company's App Could Help ==

Posted by EditorDavid on Saturday July 15, 2023 06:34PM

VanMoof ebikes is currently "exploring all possible routes out of its debt" after rumors of a pending bankruptcy. But the blog 9to5Mac highlights another concern.

"If the company goes under, and the servers go offline, that could leave ebike owners unable to even unlock their bikes."

<blockquote>
While unlocking is activated by Bluetooth when your phone comes into range of the bike, it relies on a rolling key code — and that function in turn relies on access to a VanMoof server. If the company goes bust, then no server, no key code generation, no unlock.
</blockquote>

https://news.slashdot.org/story/23/07/15/233244/if-vanmoof-ebikes-locks-you-out-of-your-own-bike-a-rival-companys-app-could-help

== Owners of troubled VanMoof e-bikes get their software keys from rival company ==

Belgian firm Cowboy gives VanMoof owners basic access after one-day hackathon.

Kevin Purdy - 7/17/2023, 11:30 AM

VanMoof e-bikes have a look, and price tag, from the near future. They're also a bit endangered these days, as their Netherlands-based maker has run out of money and asked for temporary protection from creditors. Sensing this, a Belgian e-bike company jumped in to provide an app that should help VanMoof owners keep riding, even if the parent company stalls out.

VanMoof has had administrators appointed to it by a Dutch court, protecting it from creditors for at least a two-month "cooling down period" while it explores options, according to a company spokesperson and media reports. After devoted customers began to notice outages and halts to order-taking last week, the company closed its retail stores in New York, Tokyo, Berlin, and other locations. A company spokesperson told Forbes last week that the company would "work hard to continue our services" and would contact customers about pending deliveries or repairs.

Many, if not most, bike owners can get by just fine if their bike's maker disappears, at least past their warranty period. VanMoof bikes, however, offload many of their configuration functions to a smartphone app and are much easier to unlock with a phone than manually. Models like the X3 Ars tested in 2020 have automatic shifting, which all but demands regular tweaking with a phone to adapt their behavior to different rides and preferences.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/rival-e-bike-maker-helps-vanmoof-owners-grab-bike-keys-while-company-struggles/

== VanMoof, the e-bike startup, officially declared bankrupt in The Netherlands ==

Ingrid Lunden - 17 July 2023

Another grim stage for VanMoof, the e-bike startup backed by venture capitalists to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. After making a last-hour effort to stave off bankruptcy last week, the court of Amsterdam has taken the step of officially declaring bankruptcy for the company’s Dutch legal entities, VanMoof Global Holding B.V., VanMoof B.V. and VanMoof Global Support B.V. The court has now appointed two trustees to explore an asset sale to a third party to keep VanMoof running.

Legal entities outside of The Netherlands are part of the group, but they are not involved in these proceedings. From what we understand, stores in San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and Tokyo remain open, but the rest of its stores are closed. The company has some further detail about how to unlock a bike you already own (to make it usable without the app, should that cease to work), the state of repairs (halted), the state of refunds (paused for now, unclear how, when and if they will be carried out) and information for suppliers in a FAQ about its current situation here.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/18/vanmoof-goes-vanpoof-bankruptcy/

== VanMoof, the Most Funded E-bike Company in the World, Declared Bankrupt ==

Posted by msmash on Tuesday July 18, 2023 07:00AM

VanMoof -- the independent e-bike maker that once bragged about being the "most funded e-bike company in the world" -- has been declared bankrupt in the Netherlands. The company had entered into a so-called "suspension of payment" proceeding with court-assigned administrators just last week. From a report:

<blockquote>
According to a statement released by VanMoof, the court of Amsterdam withdrew the suspension of payment proceeding of the Dutch legal entities VanMoof Global Holding BV, VanMoof BV and VanMoof Global Support BV, and declared each entity bankrupt. VanMoof legal entities outside the Netherlands are not in insolvency proceedings. Two administrators have been appointed as trustees and are continuing to assess the situation at VanMoof and the possibility of a restart. That includes exploring an asset sale to a third party so that VanMoof could continue operations.
</blockquote>

https://slashdot.org/story/23/07/18/099236/vanmoof-the-most-funded-e-bike-company-in-the-world-declared-bankrupt

== VanMoof e-bikes has declared bankruptcy ==

The company is putting its Dutch operations up for sale.

Sarah Fielding - July 18, 2023 5:40 AM

E-bike company VanMoof has declared bankruptcy for all its Dutch entities and aims to find a buyer in the "next few weeks." The announcement comes alongside the court of Amsterdam's withdrawal of suspension of payment proceedings and appointment of two trustees to oversee a possible third-party sale of the assets to ideally keep VanMoof functioning. The news came through a mass email to Dutch employees that was subsequently shared on Reddit.

Bankruptcy proceedings have come to VanMoof less than two years after it claimed to be the "most funded e-bike company in the world" while announcing a $128 million investment. Yet, trouble has been brewing for some time, with it allegedly costing more money to sell and service its bikes than people were paying for them. Dutch financial outlet FD reported an €11.9 million ($13.4 million) gross margin loss for VanMoof in 2021, with €8 million ($9 million) spent on repairs and replacements. The company's international entities, in places like the United States and Taiwan, aren't part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

https://www.engadget.com/vanmoof-e-bikes-has-declared-bankruptcy-094041635.html

== From VanMoof to VanPoof! How did the e-bike pioneer go bankrupt, even as the market boomed? ==

Mike Butcher - 17 July 2023

Troubled e-bike maker VanMoof — which had raised a total of $189.1 million from the likes of Balderton Capital and Felix Capital, among other investors — has now officially gone bankrupt in the Netherlands after barely a week in an administrative process. As TechCrunch previously reported, the company was in a “suspension of payment” process, with court-assigned administrators, after we broke the news that it had suspended bike sales.

VanMoof owners are now in a quandary, as the VanMoof e-bikes require highly customized parts as well as a unique digital key connected to VanMoof’s servers to function fully, although they are able to be operated in a basic fashion without these. Somewhat improbably, competitor Cowboy even came up with an app to allow VanMoof owners to retain the digital keys to their bikes.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/18/from-vanmoof-to-vanpoof-how-did-the-e-bike-pioneer-go-bankrupt-even-as-the-market-boomed/

== Amsterdam police ask VanMoof customers to stop accusing the company of theft ==

Wednesday, 19 July 2023 - 13:05

The Amsterdam police have received many accusations of criminality and questions from VanMoof customers who believe their bicycles were stolen by the the company, the Amsterdam police said on social media this week. The police could not provide exact numbers, a spokesperson said. The police are calling on customers of the bankrupt e-bike company to stop contacting them.

"The customers who have bought a bicycle here or have given their VanMoof bicycle for repair, ask whether they can report the theft to the police or have already reported the theft online." However, the police said that declarations, reports and questions about the bankrupt company will not be processed. "A bankruptcy is a civil matter and not a criminal matter. No matter how irritating, the police can not do anything for customers for this reason."

An Amsterdam court declared the Dutch company bankrupt on Tuesday. The VanMoof administrators previously appointed by the court will investigate the possibilities of a restart as trustees. Last week, the bicycle company was forced to close its shops and request protection from creditors. In Amsterdam and elsewhere, customers found themselves in front of a closed door when visiting the company's stores, even when sometimes their bicycle remained inside.

https://nltimes.nl/2023/07/19/amsterdam-police-ask-vanmoof-customers-stop-accusing-company-theft

== Van poof! Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof goes bankrupt, leaving riders stranded ==

August 23, 20235:14 AM ET - Rob Schmitz

AMSTERDAM — More than two-thirds of the population of Amsterdam commutes to work on two wheels, and some, like office worker Brian Rueterkemp, prefer to do it in style.

"I think one of the things I really appreciate about my bike is having a boost button," he says about his VanMoof, an electric bike that, over the years, has become a hipster accessory both in Europe and in the United States.

But the brand, considered by many bicyclists the Tesla of e-bikes, has gone bankrupt; its cofounders are in talks with outside groups to revive the failed company.

The Dutch startup's bikes have become famous for their sleek design and ease of use through a smartphone app. But VanMoof's downfall has left customers like Rueterkemp stranded.

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/23/1195201692/vanmoof-ebikes-bankrupt-netherlands


==== Rebirth ====

== Dutch E-Bike Brand VanMoof Bought Out of Bankruptcy by Scooter Maker ==

Posted by msmash on Thursday August 31, 2023 09:40AM

VanMoof, the Dutch e-bike maker that gained a zealous following but declared bankruptcy last month, has been acquired by Lavoie, an upscale electric scooter company, the firms announced on Thursday. From a report:

<blockquote>
Riders of the expensive and technologically advanced VanMoof bikes were left in limbo by the company's bankruptcy, because the machines are built from proprietary parts that only the company made and many of the bikes' functions are linked to a smartphone app that runs on the company's servers. Despite the buzz around the brand, VanMoof had run into financial problems that led to a production backlog and monthslong waits for sales and repairs.
</blockquote>

https://slashdot.org/story/23/08/31/1621218/dutch-e-bike-brand-vanmoof-bought-out-of-bankruptcy-by-scooter-maker

== VanMoof makes a move: Lavoie acquires the e-bike startup out of bankruptcy for ‘tens of millions’ of euros ==

Ingrid Lunden - 31 August 2023

VanMoof, the flashy e-bike startup that skidded into bankruptcy this summer, has gotten back on its bike, so to speak. Today it was announced that Lavoie, which makes electric scooters, has acquired the business out of administration. The company plans to invest in the brand and relaunch the business, it said. That will include providing services to VanMoof’s existing customers, from the looks of it, and from what using some of the tech VanMoof had built for its bikes that it never launched due to going bust.

Sources close to the deal tell me Lavoie paid a price in the “tens of millions” of dollars. That represents a huge drop on VanMoof’s estimated valuation from its last round in 2021: Dealroom puts that figure at between $512 million and $768 million.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/31/vanmoof-makes-a-move-lavoie-acquires-the-e-bike-startup-out-of-bankruptcy-and-plans-to-relaunch-it/

== VanMoof is back with a new custom e-bike and rebooted repair network ==

‘I don’t think there’s a reason for VanMoof to exist if we’re going to use off-the-shelf parts like everyone else.’

Rebecca Bellan - 8:04 AM PDT June 20, 2025

Dutch e-bike startup VanMoof is back two years after bankruptcy with its first model designed under new leadership. And despite past criticism that VanMoof’s over-reliance on custom parts led to the company’s downfall, the S6 sticks to the brand’s signature bespoke design. 

Today, VanMoof is betting that higher-quality custom parts, alongside a more robust servicing network, will allow it to stay true to its design-forward, tech-heavy core, while avoiding the repair and servicing pitfalls that came out of scaling a specialized product too quickly.  

“I don’t think there’s a reason for VanMoof to exist if we’re going to use off-the-shelf parts like everyone else,” co-CEO Elliot Wertheimer told TechCrunch backstage at Micromobility Europe in Brussels this week. “We’re here to push design, to have a bike that, if you’ve never ridden an e-bike in your life, you get on it and it’s intuitive. Easy, like an iPhone.”

VanMoof previously raised more than $200 million in venture capital and gained a cult following for its premium, minimalist-designed e-bikes equipped with integrated lights, batteries, and motors. 

https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/20/vanmoof-is-back-with-a-new-custom-e-bike-and-rebooted-repair-network/