All about bicycles, electric-assisted bikes, technology and safety in the press

In our daily work as we deal with bicycle safety, technology and user manuals we come across lots of safety risks. The most frequent ones are published in articles of the leading German special-interest magazines TOUR – Europas Rennrad-Magazin Nr. 1, BIKE – Das Mountainbike Magazin Europas Nr. 1 and E-Bike – Das Pedelec-Magazin to make this information important for the sector accessible to a wider public.

For many years now the Eurobike Show Daily accompanying the annual international Eurobike Show has given us the opportunity to publish our perspective on major developments in the cycle industry in full-page articles.

We also speak regularly in independent lectures about all topics relating to bicycle technology and bicycle market. In addition, we are regularly cited by further special-interest magazines or trade journals as well as more and more by radio and television and in their media reports, which shows us that we are completely right with our information. The section NEWS informs you about the latest news from our specialist fields. The reports and publications of this section are listed chronologically or according to topics of interest.

BIKE 01/2022
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The Eco-Tester

Dirk Zedler, bicycle expert from Ludwigsburg, has given advice to BIKE for more than 20 years. His test stands are essential part of our tests. The almost 30-strong company acts in an environmentally safe way which is unusual.

An eco-house in an industrial estate already is unusual in itself. But the flat-built company building of Zedler-Institut in Ludwigsburg is environmentally absolutely top. It has even been awarded the platinum certification of the German Sustainable Building Council - the association has no higher praise to bestow. To get this far, the architects had to turn all the controllers. As much wood and as little concrete as possible were used. The rainwater is collected and contributes significantly to the supply of the building. Due to a sophisticated ventilation system as well as insulation and construction the building does not need air conditioning. Heating is primarily provided by the waste heat from the test stands and air compressors as well as by three heat pumps, which in turn are powered by Black Forest hydropower and the energy from the building's own solar cells. “With a building as well insulated and constructed as ours, you are more likely to have a problem with too much heat in summer than too little in winter”, says Dirk Zedler. 80 sensors constantly check the power and heat management to detect even the smallest compressed air leaks and wastage.

When it comes to materials, Zedler’s eco-ambitions extend to door handles made from old stems and coat hangers from former aluminium rims. Packaging materials for shipping the test samples are recycled as a matter of principle. A separate storing place contains sorted cardboard rolls and boxes as well as padding materials.

The day-to-day work of the boss and his employees is also somewhat “greener” than in the companies around: Since 2018, there have been no more business trips by air; for external appointments one relies upon Bahncard and folding bike. Employees cover three quarters of their journeys to work by foot or bicycle. If they break a sweat, climate-friendly heated shower water waits for them - and a free apple spritzer from local orchard meadows.

Dirk Zedler:
With a product that makes cities more liveable, healthy, climate-friendly and fun to use, the bicycle industry holds important trump cards. Now it is time to stand together as an industry to set the course in politics for a change in mobility in favour of cycling.

Zedler-Institut
Year of foundation: 1993
Company building: Ludwigsburg
Employees: 30
Sales: not indicated

Author: Jörg Spaniol

 

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