'Significant growth potential'

SAZbike: Mr Sieders, how do you assess the current market situation for adapted bicycles?

Gerwin Sieders: More and more older people no longer feel truly comfortable on a traditional two-wheeler. Mounting and dismounting can be difficult, traffic situations feel less safe, and many people need more time to react and more stability. Our bikes respond to this by offering safety, stability and confidence, allowing seniors to remain mobile and independent. We can see this trend reflected in our strong growth compared to last year. Due to demographic developments and the increasing interest of older people in health and an active lifestyle, this bicycle category has significant and sustainable growth potential.

SAZbike: What challenges do you currently see for adapted bicycles?

Sieders: The cycling infrastructure in Germany is constantly improving, and most of our bikes can use the same traffic routes as a traditional city bike. A tricycle, for example, is only slightly wider than the handlebars of a mountain bike and often even narrower than a cyclist's elbow width. For older people, buying a vanRaam bicycle is therefore not very different from purchasing a new city bike. For people with more specific needs, we also develop highly specialised bicycles. In this segment, however, the subsidy schemes in Germany still lag behind countries like Norway and the Netherlands. Initiatives such as "Aktion Mensch", "Radeln ohne Altern" and "Stabil Mobil" already play an important role in promoting mobility, but there is still room for improvement.

SAZbike: What target groups do adapted bicycles cater for?

Sieders: Our target group consists of people who no longer feel completely confident on a two-wheeler, but who still want to stay active, independent and socially engaged. They value stability and comfort, without wanting to compromise on design or riding enjoyment. Many of them are keen to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle, which is important both for their physical wellbeing and for their independence. At the moment, we are reaching this group particularly effectively, which is reflected in the strong demand for models that combine safety, confidence and attractive design. One example is the “Thuja”, which looks like a compact cargo bike, but has been designed entirely with stability and comfort in mind. With cargo bikes becoming increasingly popular in urban environments, people are also getting used to a wider variety of bicycle formats. The “Thuja” taps into that trend and avoids the lingering stigma sometimes associated with tricycles by offering a stylish, modern look, while still guaranteeing the safety and stability people need.

SAZbike: How important is the physical shop compared with direct sales or online sales?

Sieders: A local network of physical partners close to our target groups is fundamental. All vanRaam bicycles are sold through bricks-and-mortar retailers, because personal advice and test rides are essential. Our customers often need a tailored solution, both in terms of consultation and long-term maintenance. That can only be provided in person. We have built a strong, committed network of partners who play a key role. They have the expertise to recommend the right bike to prospective customers and also provide the service and support our customers rely on. To be successful and grow together, we actively support our partners with training, knowledge-sharing, lead generation and marketing.

SAZbike: Mr Sieders, thank you very much for the interview.

Interview: Werner Müller-Schell, SAZ Bike