4 innovations that rethink the bicycle: fair, green, techy, and connected
Disc brakes, electric Shift groups, hydraulic seat posts, E-bikes, and foldable cargo bikes: The world of bicycles has seen quite a bit of successful tinkering in recent years. Some will make us and the planet suitable in the long run (Schwalbe tire recycling.)
In today's post, we present four inventions that turn individual components, processes, or the bicycle upside down and make it more sustainable and modern.
1. Bicycles made of bamboo
Eye-catcher and fair player: Since 2012, the small German company MyBoo has been producing bicycles ecologically and socially sustainably. In contrast to the energy-intensive production of aluminum frames, MyBoo relies on bamboo-made bicycle frames.
The natural material is light, stable, and grows back quickly. Long transport routes have also been eliminated because MyBoo cooperates with the Yonso Project in Ashanti, Ghana, where bamboo bushes are native. The ecological footprint of MyBoo bicycles is thus considerably smaller than that of a regular bicycle manufacturer.
MyBoo reinvests its profits in local education projects in Ghana and, together with the Yonso Project, built the Yonso Project Model School, which gives over 1,000 boys and girls from the region access to education.
The management level is made up of more than 50% women. There are no gender-based differences in gender equality. Regarding equality, environmental sustainability, and local support for education and development, MyBoo is a great role model for the industry. It is not without reason that the company was nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2023.
2. Air filter in the tire
The next innovation we present is currently still in the development and test phase: bicycle wheels that clean the air while rolling. The tires are designed to use the energy released while riding and the airstream to filter the air in areas affected by particulate matter and other air pollution.
"Special devices on the front wheel thus capture fine dust particles and harmful gases such as ozone or nitrogen oxides and expel the clean, filtered air." - Alice Huot @buycycle
The ingenious? The GoRolloe tire needs no electricity or energy and feeds itself independently like a dynamo light. It needs power from the rotation of the tires. Wings on the GoRolloe direct the air from the airstream into the filters, which emerge clean. No noise, no electricity, no extra charge or space required.
Thus, the British innovation of the young industrial designer Kristen Tapping is a promising solution for pollutant-laden city centers. It uses the already environmentally friendly transport method of cycling in congested urban areas and actively provides clean air where it is most needed. The project is supported by the European Union and Innovate UK's Fast Start innovation funding program, among others.
3. Augmented reality
Bike shopping from the sofa: Dutch bike manufacturer Van Moof, known primarily for the sleek and modern design of their e-bikes and their innovative anti-theft system gained great popularity and operates its business primarily on the web.
The extra postage involved in returns emits kilograms of CO2 per parcel. These emissions could be avoided if online purchasing decisions could be made more consciously and based on more accurate information. The transportation of large and bulky objects, such as bicycles, is a particular burden on the climate.
Van Moof has set itself the goal of reducing exchanges and returns, lowering CO2 emissions, and providing a more informative shopping experience by integrating an augmented reality feature into its online store.
At the touch of a button, you can now examine Van Moof's wheels through your own cell phone camera in fantastic authenticity. The smallest detail of the bicycles is depicted realistically in 3D.
Potential buyers can virtually feel the tread of the tires, the individual joints of the spokes are just as visible as the Van Moof engraving on the handlebar, the LEDs of the rear light, the screws on the brakes and the spindles of the pedals. You can walk around the bike and get close to it, with the camera very close to individual components - only you can not touch or ride it.
Van Moof makes great E-bikes. But if you're wondering if an e-bike is worth it for you, and if so, which one, take a look at this article!
E-bike Review: Which E-bike suits you and why you will love it
More sustainable, healthier for the body, and faster from A to B, at least in the city - these are the advantages of an e-bike over a car. The e-bike also has some advantages over conventional bicycles. Thanks to the electric motor support, you sweat less when climbing hills, get to work faster, and are supported when your own muscle power is not enough for some distances.
There are many reasons to purchase an e-bike. However, electric bikes have only been popular for a few years. Accordingly, there are many unanswered questions and misunderstandings about the E-bike. Here, you will find advice on the most critical questions about the E-bike. We also show you the best models.
What is an E-bike?
An E-bike is a bicycle with an electric motor. But: E-bike is not the same as E-bike. Because what we colloquially call an e-bike is a pedelec. A real E-bike drives without pedal assistance. If it travels 25 km/h without the additional movement of the pedals, it counts as a moped and requires an operating license, an insurance license plate, and a class AM driver's license. Here, helmets are compulsory.
E-bikes that only travel up to 20 km/h without pedal assistance are not legally required to wear a helmet and are considered light mopeds. Depending on the motor position, e-bikes have front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. For example, there are hub motors or mid-mounted motors. Powerful motors are available from manufacturers such as Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, and many more.
E-bikes have rim brakes or disc brakes. A popular brake manufacturer is again Shimano; many bike manufacturers source their components from there. For the sake of simplicity, however, you will always read about the e-bike in this text, even when it comes to the pedelec. You can read it out explicitly if there is talk of mopeds or light mopeds. The distinction between e-bike and pedelec is, therefore, only for the sake of completeness.
What is a pedelec?
Pedelec is short for Pedal Electric Cycle. Pedelec, also called electric bicycle or electric bike, is known as e-bike. They have pedal assistance from the electric motor, while there are different levels of assistance. They have up to 250 watts and motor assistance up to 25 km/h. Legally, they are considered a bicycle. Neither an operating license nor an insurance license plate is required. Neither are helmets compulsory nor is insurance compulsory.
The derailleur or hub gears are often used on pedelecs. The advantage of derailleur gears is the openly accessible mechanics, which allows maintenance work to be performed quickly. In addition, the derailleur has low weight. On the other hand, the hub gears are very low maintenance because the circuit is well protected. It is, therefore, very reliable. Pedelecs usually have a total weight of around 23 kg.
There are also so-called S-pedelecs, i.e., high-speed pedelecs. They have pedal assistance of up to 45 km/h and are therefore considered mopeds. You, therefore, need an operating license and an insurance license plate. You also need a class AM driver's license, and helmets are compulsory. Visually, the only difference between pedelecs and S-pedelecs is the license plate holder, which is present on the S-pedelec.
Why do I need an E-bike?
An e-bike is worthwhile for some reasons. For example, it is easier to transport things on a bicycle with an electric motor. However, you must be careful because, unlike pedelecs, trailers for loads or children are prohibited on e-bikes. For this purpose, there are so-called cargo bikes. These are cargo bikes that are supported by an electric motor.
So, if you regularly have a lot to transport, it's worth buying a cargo bike. If you like to cycle to work and don't want to arrive too sweaty, then an e-bike is worthwhile. Especially if there are a lot of inclines or headwinds, long distances, for example, to work, on vacation, or longer day trips, which can be covered better. Of course, an e-bike also makes sense if you are not physically fit enough or can no longer manage some things in old age.
The e-bike takes you to places you might not be able to get to with your physical strength. The sustainability character of the e-bike is not to be neglected. If you want to see the e-bike, you should take a test ride. Most bike stores have e-bikes that they lend out or that you can take for a spin. A test ride is also worthwhile to get a feel for the handling and driving characteristics of an e-bike before deciding to buy one.
Everything important about the E-bike battery
A good e-bike needs a good lithium-ion battery because it is almost worthless if it does not work. So when buying, special attention should be paid to the battery. Some functions can be very useful. These include the starting and pushing assistance.
More precisely, this is motor support without operating the pedals. Up to six km/h, the motor thus supports the driver when pushing uphill or at traffic lights. Batteries can have deep discharge and overcharge protection. It is worthwhile to use a battery from a reputable manufacturer. This increases the likelihood that a suitable replacement battery will still be available for the bike in a few years.
The average life of an e-bike battery is five years, after which it usually needs to be replaced. Various factors influence the service life of a battery. One of these is usage. More precisely, this means the number of complete charge cycles. The charging time varies depending on the manufacturer.
At the same time, a battery permanently loses capacity even when unused. Therefore, you can save yourself the trouble of buying a replacement battery in stock. Batteries can experience 500 to 1000 full charge cycles depending on the manufacturer and model. Most e-bikes have between 400 and 750 watt-hours, so one charge is enough for 50 to 120 km, depending on the manufacturer. Incorrect handling can greatly shorten battery life.
Here are a few tips on how to make the battery last long.
Temperature: If possible, the battery should not be exposed to intense heat, so it is worthwhile to park the e-bike in the shade in summer. The sub-zero temperatures also reduce the battery capacity in winter.
Charging: Using the supplied charger, charging at an appropriate temperature, and partial charges positively affect the battery life.
Storage: Storage should also be neither too hot nor too cold, and the battery should also be stored in a dry place, for example, not in a damp cellar. What are the types of e-bikes? Just as there are different types of bikes, there are also different e-bike types. So before buying an e-bike, you should consider what you will mainly use the bike for.
There is a distinction between E-bike, pedelec, and S-pedelec. Then, some pedelec models are adapted to different needs. Mountain bikes with electric motors are designed for off-road use. If you want to use your e-bike in the mountains or the forest, an e-mountain bike is worthwhile.
With an e-fully, i.e. a bike with multiple suspension elements, you can quickly ride up the mountain and down the trails thanks to the motor. So, in doing so, you save the shuttle service to the trail start. Conventional thoroughly weighs a lot and is thus tedious to bring uphill. An e-hardtail that only has a suspension fork as a suspension element is sufficient for rooty trails and slight unevenness on the ridden surfaces.
E-city bikes are designed so that you can cover short distances in the city well. Here, you have a more upright riding position. So, an electric bike is worthwhile if you want to get to work, the gym, or shopping without a car. Shopping or sportswear can be transported on the luggage rack, and city e-bikes also have a low step-in.
An e-trekking bike is designed for longer asphalt and forest or dirt road tours. E-trekking bikes are particularly suitable for bicycle tours or backpacking. Cargo bikes are cargo bikes with an electric motor. If you must transport it regularly, a cargo bike could be an alternative to a car. This is because trailers are not allowed to be attached to e-bikes. Of course, there is also a racing bike with an electric motor or an e-folding bike for sale.
The folding or folding bike as an e-bike is efficient for commuters. Almost every type of bicycle is now built and sold with an electric motor. A new type of bike is the so-called SUV E-bike. This is a kind of all-rounder with exclusive equipment.
Before buying, you must consider where you will often ride the bike realistically. If you want to try out a bike park in the future but mainly ride your bike to work, an expensive e-fully won't be worth it.
Does an e-bike have to be registered with the authority?
The question of a traffic permit cannot be answered blanketly. Pedelecs with a motor power of up to 250 watts do not require a license plate and insurance. S-pedelecs with higher speeds and up to 4000 watts require a license plate and insurance.
By the way, you are not allowed to ride them on the bike path. E-bikes up to 500 watts are considered light mopeds and subject to license plate and insurance requirements. They are allowed on bike paths if the addition "Mofa frei" is marked by a road sign. E-bikes up to 1000 watts are considered mopeds subject to license plate and insurance requirements.
They are also allowed on bike paths if the addition "Mofa frei" is marked by a road sign. An e-bike up to 4000 watts is considered a moped. License plates and insurance are mandatory. They are not permitted on cycle paths.
Why do different rules apply to e-bikes than to bicycles?
Depending on how many watts an e-bike or pedelec has, they are legally considered bicycles, light mopeds, mopeds or mopeds. This means that the traffic regulations also change.
Helmet compulsory: There is no legal helmet requirement for pedelecs and e-bikes up to 500 watts. For S-pedelecs and e-bikes over 500 watts, however, there is.
Driving license: With the pedelec you do not need a driver's license. The S-pedelec can be driven with a class AM driver's license and from the age of 16. The E-bike may be driven up to 1000 watts from 15 years with moped driving license. The E-bike up to 4000 watts may be driven from 16 years with driving license class AM.
License plate and compulsory insurance: Apart from the pedelec, all other variants, i.e. S-pedelec, and all e-bikes over 250 watts require a license plate and are subject to insurance.
Driving on the bike path: Only pedelecs may be ridden on the bike path without hesitation. E-bikes up to 1000 watts may be ridden on the cycle path if a sign with "Mofas frei" (mopeds free) permits this. E-bikes up to 4000 watts and S-pedelecs are not allowed to ride on the bike path at all.
Is an e-bike sustainable?
Electric bikes are an excellent alternative to the car. According to the Federal Environment Agency, half of all car trips in Germany are shorter than five kilometers. A distance that can also be covered quickly by bike. E-bikes are more climate-friendly. For a distance of 100 km, an e-bike emits only 0.6 kg of CO2. A car emits 21 kg of CO2 over the same distance.
In addition, driving an e-bike is cheaper, because the average energy cost of driving an e-bike is €0.30 per 100 km. For the same distance, you have to spend an average of €10.50 on a car. Many people are not aware that bicycles are considered the fastest means of transport up to a distance of 5 km, at least in city traffic.
The whole thing expands to 10 km if you include a long search for a parking space for the car. And you're also doing your own health a favor; of course, the fresh air and exercise are better for your body than driving a car while sitting down all the time.
By the way, driving an e-bike is even more environmentally friendly if it is charged with green electricity. Motor systems also recover kinetic energy during braking and store it in the battery. This increases efficiency and also helps to avoid even more CO2 emissions.
The emissions from manufacturing and disposing of e-bike batteries have little consequence. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, emissions are already offset after driving 100 km with the E-bike instead of taking the car. The E-bike, therefore, performs very well. Of course, normal bicycles without a motor are even more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Which e-bike is recommended?
The ADAC and Stiftung Warentest regularly publish test reports on e-bike models. Again and again, it becomes apparent that there are major differences between the e-bikes available on the market. Battery, gears and brakes are not convincing in all models. That's why we're presenting you with some e-bike models that have stood the test of time.
Our test winners according to the most important categories:
E-MTB: Cube Reaction Hybrid: The Cube Reaction Hybrid series convinces. These are e-hardtails. The motors are sourced from Bosch. The manufacturer KTM also produces excellent E-MTBs.
E-city bike: Kalkhoff Image 3.B: The manufacturer Kalkhoff launches modern city e-bikes on the market with the Image 3.B series. Kalkhoff sources the mid-mounted motor from Bosch. City e-bikes offer a comfortable ride over short distances, but a trekking e-bike offers a better ride on long bike rides.
Haibike Trekking: From Haibike, there is the Trekking series; here, the engines are sourced from Yamaha.
E-load bike: The most popular e-load bikes are manufactured by Babboe.
Do you want a new E-bike which has a good price-performance ratio? Then take a look at buycycle. Here, you will find thousands of used bikes in good condition. Here, you will also find high-quality e-bikes from attractive price ranges.
4. Smart pedelecs
The Munich-based company mocci wants to revolutionize not so much the bicycle, but more the entire urban logistics and has created a completely new type of bicycle for this purpose: The Smart Pedelec Vehicle (SPV). With it, trucks and other commercial vehicles will disappear from cities, whether for transport, delivery, or shared mobility: all these areas will be covered by mocci SPVs. In addition, the manufacturer advertises its vision of a "connected city," for which it supplies the perfect vehicles.
What's special about mocci bikes is that not only are they fully customizable to their customer: inside needs (extra trailers or special cargo carriers for different cargo volumes, corporate branding or lighter models for commuter: inside vehicle fleets), but they are also made of 95% recyclable materials.
During production, hardly any waste is generated, and significant CO2 emissions are saved in the manufacture of the frames, also because costly and more environmentally harmful steps such as welding and painting can be dispensed with: Namely, the frames of mocci bikes are made of heavy-duty plastic, instead of aluminum.
With its fleets, mocci offers modern mobility solutions, mainly for the commercial sector, but also for commuters and bike-sharing-projects.
If you also want to contribute directly to the mobility revolution, look at the more than 8,000 bikes we offer at buycycle offer: Maybe your next urban traffic hero is among them, or maybe your new buddy for off-road tours or endless tarmac erpentines...
If you have questions or need help, our support team will help you with words and deeds. Until then, as always, we wish you Happy browsing and cycling!