B2B Festival 2026: These are the trends and developments we spotted on the exhibition floor.
Feb 16, 2026
•Bram van Duinen•6 min. reading timeLast week, on February 8 and 9, we attended the B2B Festival. At our stand, we guided visitors through various scenarios and demonstrated how we’re enabling the mobility of tomorrow together. This led to valuable conversations, new insights, and fresh ideas.
And not just at our stand, but across the entire exhibition floor. Our Category Management colleagues actively engaged with suppliers and partners to explore the latest innovations. We’re taking that knowledge and those opportunities with us, so we can share them with you. Our account managers are also looking back: what stood out to them at our stand?
Positive atmosphere at the exhibition and across the market
What stood out immediately? The buzz and positive energy across the exhibition floor. Everywhere, conversations were taking place about opportunities, new products, and collaboration. The overall market sentiment was optimistic.
Despite all the changes in the industry, confidence remains strong. Suppliers and dealers are actively on the move, continuously looking for ways to strengthen their offerings. It confirms what we’re seeing: micromobility continues to evolve, and together we can accelerate that growth.
Different forms of micromobility
Elwin Baijlé, Category Developer at PENDLR, responsible for spotting innovative brands and solutions, saw firsthand at the B2B Festival how micromobility is maturing. “What struck me most is how diverse the range of longtails has become,” Elwin explains. “You can see that these bikes are genuinely taking over the role of a second car. This is no longer a hype, but a structural development.” Folding bikes also stood out. “Within the first- and last-mile segment, this remains a very interesting category: compact, flexible, and perfectly combinable with a car or public transport.”
He also noticed that it’s not just about the vehicle itself. “It’s about the complete picture. Accessories and supplementary solutions make the difference and give dealers opportunities to truly stand out.” For example, Steco presented a new product that allows an extra child seat to be easily attached to the cargo area of a bike. Beta, a specialist in workshop solutions, also noted that their solutions for cargo bikes and longtails are extremely popular.
Growing demand for helmets and lightweight locks
Safety was a clear theme at the exhibition. Sander Toenhake, Category Manager at PENDLR, responsible among other things for locks, noticed a strong focus on helmets and innovative security solutions. “You can see that safety is increasingly becoming a natural part of the buying process,” says Sander. “Qibbel introduced a new children’s helmet, and many other brands showcased their latest helmets as well. This shows that this category is really evolving.”
Lightweight locks were also strongly represented. “Brands are clearly looking for the right balance between high security and ease of use,” Sander explains. He points to the attention around the ABUS Yarnit campaign, but notes that these products were visible throughout the exhibition. “Security is becoming smarter and more technologically advanced. That fits perfectly with the growth of e-bikes and other mobility solutions,” Sander adds.
Rebranding Simson
It was clear at the B2B Festival that Simson is taking a new direction. “Our stand was busy nonstop,” says Sander, who is also responsible for Simson at PENDLR. “You can feel that the market is curious about this move.”
Since 1881, Simson has been known for its iconic tire patch kits. However, it turns out that the brand is mainly familiar to older generations. With a refreshed brand identity and a sharpened strategy, Simson is now making the transition from ‘parts’ to ‘products.’ “The market is changing,” says Sander. “Consumers are looking for convenience and reliability. With this new direction, Simson positions itself clearly as a partner in complete, sustainable bicycle mobility.” With a focus on a strong supply chain, distinctive products, and close collaboration with dealers and leasing partners, this rebranding is more than just a visual change—it’s a strategic move toward the future.
Winners of the Bicycle Innovation Awards
During the festival, the Bicycle Innovation Awards were also presented. The AXA Atlas took home a prize. “This product really shows how security and ease of use come together,” says Sander. “And that’s exactly what the market is looking for.”
In addition, the Lovens Explorer 2 was awarded Cargo Bike of the Year. This e-cargo bike stands out with a one-piece cast frame and luxury features such as heated seats for children. Comfort and functionality clearly come together here. The cargo bike is increasingly developing into a full-fledged alternative to the car, and this was clearly visible on the exhibition floor.
What stood out at our own stand?
At our stand, Roeland Kassies, Account Manager at PENDLR, spent the entire weekend talking with dealers and partners. One thing stood out to him immediately: the strong interest in UTO’s folding bikes. “They really drew a lot of attention,” Roeland explains. “You can see that dealers are actively looking for compact and flexible solutions for urban mobility.” The grow-with-me bike and Vici’s new 16-inch model also stood out. “Children’s bikes were popular across the board at the exhibition,” Roeland adds. “This was clearly reflected in the interest for Alpina.”
There was also significant attention for innovative accessories from brands such as Kinekt, Ergon, and Optiline. “Dealers are increasingly looking for products that allow them to tell a complete story in-store. It’s not just about one product, but the total concept.”
Do you want to stay up to date with all the trends and developments?
What we saw at the B2B Festival is clear: micromobility is maturing, safety is becoming an increasingly important part of the buying process, and accessories are more often making the difference. These aren’t isolated trends—they are developments that directly impact your assortment, your sales conversations, and your positioning in the market.
That’s exactly why we’re sharing these insights. So you know where the opportunities lie, from longtails and folding bikes to helmets, lightweight locks, and smart accessories. As a PENDLR customer, you’re not on your own. We keep you informed about what’s happening, translate market developments into concrete opportunities, and help you act on them today.
Do you want to continue receiving these insights and be able to translate them directly into a strong, future-oriented offering? Contact us and become a PENDLR customer today!
Bram van Duinen
Performance Marketeer
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