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German e-bike specialists Riese and Müller have shared details of the business’s fourth Responsibility Report.
The report’s opening statement reads “Our vision: we will be the most sustainable company in the e-bike industry by 2025.”
Reflecting on this, Dr Sandra Wolff, CEO of Riese and Müller, comments: “One of the biggest projects we launched last year saw us switch our frame production to recycled aluminium – a pioneering move for the bike industry.”
Commenting further, Wolff states: “Given today’s multiple crises, it would stand to reason that a company might rein in its sustainability efforts, as they are often associated with high costs and returns that are difficult to calculate. Not least because all measures should be viewed in the very long term, perhaps even as intergenerational.
“(This) is exactly what matters to us: How can we transform and rethink our business model so that future generations can also live a good life on this wonderful planet?
“More than ever, we believe this means making progress, demonstrating our position, investing and learning.”
To read the fourth Responsibility Report in full, click here.
Designing in sustainability and circularity as an integral part of brand DNA
Relating this approach to a specific e-bike offers Riese and Müller a tangible means to showcase the connected processes and depth of thinking which goes into its products.
Circular design aims to develop products for the longest possible life span, at the end of which they can enter a new product life cycle.
Talking about this a company spokesperson states: “The Culture is the first bike that we have developed according to this principle, from the very beginning. The fact that its frame is largely made from recycled aluminium is unique in the bike industry.”
Launched in 2023, the Culture features a frame made of 46% ASI-certified recycled aluminium.
Further to this, the brand points out that the Culture features a design language which is deliberately less technical – in favour of timeless, soft shapes reminiscent of a classic bicycle – representing a new silhouette for Riese and Müller.
For the technical features of the bike, the brand opted for a limited selection of proven, high-quality components from reliable partners. This was done to ensure low maintenance and repair costs.
Speaking of the manufacturing process, the brand comments: “Quality management checks delivered frames with a high-precision coordinate measuring machine.
“Thanks to the use of our technical quality management, the Culture even significantly exceeds most of the requirements of the prescribed standard for e-bikes (EN 15194).”
Image credit: Riese and Müller
