We are happy to welcome four new innovative members to the Radkompetenz circle this year! The internationally positioned mechanical engineering group WINTERSTEIGER offers manual and automatic bike cleaning stations, the young Salzburg-based company Velovio develops bike parking systems that they would also use themselves. The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology has developed a sensor bike and Mobiltätszentrale Burgenland is promoting everyday cycling with its Radfreude campaign. In addition, the new Macina SX lightweight e-bike model series from KTM and the delivery of the first SUB e-transport bikes from VELLO.

BikeStar: the mobile measurement laboratory for bicycle infrastructure

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest research and technology organization and plays in the top league worldwide in many infrastructure topics. Sustainability is in the AIT’s genes: both research projects and internal processes are geared towards conserving resources. AIT is currently running a flagship project in the field of bicycle mobility:

The AIT BikeStar measuring bike was developed to precisely and objectively measure infrastructure for cyclists. The BikeStar consists of a transport bike equipped with high-precision, modern sensor technology. This makes it possible to measure cycling infrastructure, for which there is often little digital information available (e.g. width, surface conditions, clearance), on the move. By using a measuring bike, even narrow paths are accessible, the perspective of the cyclist is maintained and the acceptance of the vehicle on the cycle path is increased. Find out more here.

Radfreude makes Burgenlanders want to cycle

The Burgenland Mobility Center is the central point of contact for all matters relating to public transport and a regional service point for climate-friendly mobility. As a competence center for the implementation of EU mobility projects, the Mobility Center Burgenland deals, among other things, with the promotion and expansion of regional and cross-border transport, but also with the promotion of climate-friendly transport in tourism. In order to achieve the goal of becoming the number one cycling region in Austria, the state of Burgenland is investing a total of 25 million euros in around 350 projects to massively improve the state’s cycling network. Parallel to the construction measures, the “Radfreude” brand was also developed to raise awareness. Read more here.

WINTERSTEIGER Sports offers a new cleaning concept for bicycles

Since its foundation in 1953, WINTERSTEIGER has established a leading position as an innovative solution provider for customers in technically demanding niche markets. As one of the most successful companies in the field of ski sharpening and service machines, WINTERSTEIGER is now setting its sights on the bicycle sector.

In addition to the Veloclean Pro manual bike washer, WINTERSTEIGER also offers the Velobrush – an automatic bike cleaning station that washes bikes in a particularly material-friendly, resource-saving and environmentally friendly way. Both machines work with low-pressure technology or sprinkling from above. Cleaning e-bikes and sensitive components such as bearings or gear groups is no problem. In addition to a clean and gentle cleaning process, the focus of the washing systems is primarily on low energy consumption and a high level of environmental compatibility.

In winter 2023/2024, WINTERSTEIGER carried out the test operation of Austria’s first publicly accessible bike wash at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien. Based on the experience gained, further test installations are planned in Vienna this year.

Velovio designs bicycle furniture for special requirements

Cities are growing, traffic and pollution are increasing, which is why the Velovio team’s motto is: fewer cars and more bicycles for a better infrastructure of the future! The Salzburger Bügel is a product from the young company that can already be found throughout Austria. Rubber strips for scratch-free leaning and seating are included! The model offers the option of mobile installation by weighting it down with seat modules, it is suitable for cargo bikes and is available with an e-bike charger.

Velovio also has a combination of bike boxes and parklets in its portfolio. Bikedeck is a modular bike box with a staircase that allows the roof to be used for seating or a guest garden. This turns bike boxes into attractive street furniture and at the same time helps to drive forward the mobility transition with secure storage options for e-bikes, cargo bikes and the like.

The first pilot with a configuration of three boxes, a staircase and roof terrace was put into operation in Guntramsdorf near Vienna at the beginning of July 2023.

KTM enters the era of light e-bikes with the Macina SX

The new Macina SX product line is an addition to the proven KTM e-bike range and revolutionizes the riding experience on an electric bike in terms of lightness and agility. The KTM innovation Power Tube Top Loader is used for user-friendly battery handling and the 400Wh battery can be removed from the top of the frame. To extend the range, the BOSCH PowerMore Range Extender can be attached directly to the battery cover on the KTM SX models.

The picture shows the Gravelator SX 10 model, one of the first e-gravel bikes in KTM history. The light e-bike concept runs through the MTB Fully, MTB Hardail, MTB Kids, Gravel, Road, Trekking Onroad and Trekking Offroad product categories. Slim carbon and aluminum frames are used.

The lightweight e-transport bike VELLO SUB is on the market

The award-winning VELLO SUB e-transport bike makes it possible to transport children, shopping or pets without having to think about space problems. Thanks to the short standard length of 180 cm, it can be easily transported on public transport and can be reduced to a width of 29 cm without tools thanks to the foldable pedals and handlebars. This means it can be stored safely at home, in the office or in a cramped bike room.

However, the SUB is just as powerful as larger and heavier transport bikes and offers space for up to two people in addition to the rider as well as a front luggage rack. The permissible total weight is 210 kilograms.