Velo Lab

09/05/2026

07/05/2026

''Lastenrad-Pionier meldet Insolvenz an. ''
Weser Kurier article is out.
Nine years. One workshop in Bremen. 900 cargo bikes built by hand. And now, insolvency.
The journalist asked what went wrong. The short answer: external pressures, not bad engineering.
The post-pandemic market collapsed, Inflation made customers hold back on investments
German production costs are simply not competitive with Asia (a frame that costs 100 € there costs 10x here)
And then the final blow: EIT Manufacturing collapsed on the same day we filed – taking €50,000 in EU funding with it
"Earnings dropped 46% – but revenue stayed the same." That is the industry right now. Discounting. Margin erosion. And local manufacturers like us cannot play that game.

So where does Velo Lab go from here?
The path is not yet clear. But one thing is certain:
Design and development will continue as before to my Athens office. Handcrafted "Made in Germany" production will propably shift to Asia because it is the only way to become competitive and reach a wider audience in a declining niche market.
The EU talks about supporting local manufacturing. The reality is different. Germany and the EU are failing local manufacturers. The EIT funding freeze was the proof.
We built good bikes. We built them with passion. But passion does not pay the bills when the system collapses around you.
I am proud of what we created.

https://lnkd.in/d5-TXjXD

- European Institute of Innovation and Technology WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH European Cycling Industries CYCLINGWORLD EUROPE Urban Cycling Institute FOREIGN BUSINESS CLUB Bremen

29/03/2026

Surveillance capitalism.
Fascinating how this 'riding data economy' vision perfectly mirrors surveillance capitalism's playbook: turn every human activity into an extractable data stream. Why have a bicycle that's just a bicycle when you can have an IoT-enabled 'smart device' packed with sensors, subscriptions, and planned obsolescence? Can't wait for my pedal data to feed behavioral models while my 'smart bike' becomes e-waste in 18 months when the battery dies or the app sunsets. Just look at the micromobility graveyards—landfills full of 'disposable innovation' waiting to happen. But sure, let's call it 'reconstructing the value chain' while we convert simple, repairable machines into consumer electronics with training wheels, telemetry, and a one-way ticket to the dump. Nice vision!
European Cyclists'​ FederationEuropean Cycling Industries Dutch Cycling EmbassyCYCLINGWORLD EUROPE Cycling 3.0

31/01/2026

30/12/2025

Earn your turns. Earn your views.
Where the climb hurts, but the ride gives back more. 🚵‍♂️🌄

MountainCycling GravelBike BikeLife RideMore CyclingPhotography NatureAndBikes TwoWheelsOneLove ClimbForIt OutsideIsFree

26/12/2025

Frame 2026 Update! We’re making a material change to deliver a better ride. We’ve switched from Stainless steel to aluminum to hit our aggressive weight goals and unlock next-level innovation.
..result: lighter, stiffer gravel bike featuring:
🔹PF46 B B for insane power transfer
🔹Fully internal brake & gear routing
🔹A revolutionary dropout system with SRAM UDH & compatibility for Neodrives/Mahle e-motors

We’re building the future of gravel, and it's aluminum.

24/12/2025

🇬🇧
Special Gravel Cargo bike build up with and electric ...16kg ! Including pedals

24/12/2025

17/12/2025

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