SAZbike.de, November 8, 2021
Reading time 1:05 minutes

German bicycle companies develop common Bike Charter

On the occasion of Bikebrainpool meeting on October 26 and 27 at Ralf Bohle (Schwalbe) in Reichshof, Germany, 22 representatives of the bicycle industry adopted a Bike Charter for sustainable management.

The action plan treating the topics resource conservation, sustainability and climate protection around the products and services in the bicycle industry has been developed for more than a year. With the Bike Charter, the companies involved want to take a close look at the sustainable production of the bicycle, from the resources via the supply chain to the companies as well as their employees and customers, in order to take into account their social, ecological and in the end also their economic responsibility.

All in all the draft comprises 18 topics around production, location, social relevance and strategic CSR management (Corporate Social Responsibility). From this, 110 specific possibilities for action were formulated.

The Bikebrainpool results

Bikebrainpool consisting of more than 50 member companies from the industry, the retailers, the service providers and the press discuss trends and topics within and outside the industry at regular meetings. The network sees itself as a player in the industry. With the meeting on October 26 and 27, Bikebrainpool appeals for more sustainability in the entire bicycle industry. What starts as a voluntary commitment by the signatory companies is to be expanded in the medium term through cooperation with the German Sustainability Code by means of a respective reporting.

Among the signatories are Abus, Bike & Co, BOC, Croozer, Delius Klasing, Fellowz, Hebie, Humpert, ID-Berlin, Jobrad, Kienzler, Pressedienst Fahrrad, Radlager, Schwalbe, Riese & Müller, Rose Bikes, Thun, Velokonzept, VSF, Wertgarantie, WSM and Zedler. Bikebrainpool is also in close exchange with the global initiative Shift Cycling Culture which based on the climate negotiations in Glasgow has also set itself the goal of persuading the bicycle industry of a systemic change towards more sustainability.

Frank Bohle, managing director of Schwalbe and host of the meeting encouraged further companies to sign the action plan: “The Bike Charter's specific action plan reduces the complexity of a sustainable business transformation and offers companies an excellent opportunity to directly implement initial measures.”

Author: Eliza Hahnenstein

Go back