In August 2011 two bicycle models, i.e. the "E-Tour" by Pegasus and the "28" E-Bike" by Ruhrwerk were rated "inadequate" and failed. Three bicycles obtained the best mark and were rated "good". This was mainly to the benefit of Kreidler, as the test winner model "Vitality Elite" sold excellently afterwards. In these days already, the test conditions of Stiftung Warentest were criticised. In an interview with SAZbike of August 15, 2011, it had been criticised by bicycle expert Dirk Zedler already that the the product testers were impeding the progress and the safety of bicycles due to their non-transparency with regard to the test requirements.
Two years later, the next e-bikte test was published in June already. This test published with a striking announcement on the cover page with the title “E-bikes with risk”stirred up the cycle industry. In this test nine of 16 models were devaluated "inadequate". The poor result would show that the quality assurance of the manufacturers were apparently not able to keep pace with this development. This is was Dr. Holger Brackemann (Divisional Director Testing at Stiftung Warentest) made clear; in addition he pointed out that their demands were neither unrealistic nor exaggerated. Manufacturers, associations and test institutes of the cycle industry represented naturally another opinion. One critical comment in SAZbike of June 10, 2013 read the result of Stiftung Warentest are thoroughly questionable.
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Author: Alexander Schmitz
