Over the past 18 months, Komenda AG and Tour de Suisse Rad AG have been working intensively on the future purchasing processes in the specialist bicycle trade as part of an innovation project funded by Innosuisse (Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion, a public-law institution of the Swiss Confederation). Under the methodological supervision of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, the interaction between manufacturers, specialist retailers and cyclists was examined in particular.

New label: Swiss Bicycle

"In order for competing companies to be able to develop joint solutions in the future, obstacles first had to be broken down and trust built between the two manufacturers. By developing shared visions for the bicycle trade and reflecting on common values, it was possible to prepare the companies for future innovations," says Samuel Böhni, project manager at the Institute for Innovation, Design and Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, describing the project work.

In recent months, the two bicycle manufacturers have jointly designed and implemented the "Swiss Bicycle" label. The declared aim is to bring Swiss bicycle manufacturers, local bicycle retailers and end customers closer together and to support cyclists and offer them individual and sustainable mobility. The newly launched trademark confirms assembly in Switzerland, compliance with ecological and social sustainability standards, customer proximity, Swiss added value and quality.

Biking with fully comprehensive insurance

Already communicated as a measure under the joint label flag is the increase in the manufacturer's warranty on bikes from two to four years, provided the new bike buyer registers the bike within 30 days. An insurance offer is also being launched: for CHF 119.90 per year, there is fully comprehensive insurance in the event of an accident or fall, breakdown assistance, a replacement bike in the event of damage, a sum insured of up to CHF 10,000 and all this without a deductible.

In addition to the insurance solutions that will come into force in April 2022, digital tools and services are to be offered to dealers over the next few months, which should also sustainably promote bicycle mobility in the coming years.

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