VanMoof Just Made Riding A Bike A Lot Cooler
What do you get when you cross design, technology, and style? VanMoof — and they just made riding a bike a whole lot cooler.
With more and more conscious individuals adopting bikes over cars, it makes sense that Dutch brothers Taco and Ties Carlier decided back in 2009 that it was time to level up the cycling game. Creating groundbreaking e-bikes with the goal of transforming the way we move around cities, VanMoof is aiming to expand its already 200,000 strong rider community, which includes Jacquemus, Tyler the Creator, and Frank Ocean, to over a billion in the near future. Having built a strong cultural following VanMoof bikes have been spotted all around the world, from NYC and LA, to Paris and Amsterdam — and they're not stopping there. With the e-bike industry estimated to skyrocket within the next decade, it's no wonder that the Dutch brothers are stepping up to cement their place in the scene.
Revolutionizing the e-bike category, VanMoof has a sharp eye on high-end aesthetics and technical engineering that takes urban mobility to the next level. Expanding its servicing network from 8 to 50 cities and continually refining its bikes’ frameworks, VanMoof is fast becoming the bike you need.
The brand is making cycling culture a whole lot cooler with its sleek approach to e-bikes and hassle-free city cycling. The recent release of its next generation of e-bikes, the VanMoof S3 and VanMoof X3, shook up the cycling scene thanks to some seriously sick new details. A welcome added touch is the built-in theft system that comes complete with alarms and bike location tracking that you can use on Apple’s Find My app.
In honor of the most stylish bike out there, we visited Berlin’s most stylish shopping spot, Voo Store, to cruise around the city on VanMoof’s with a couple of their fashion-savvy staff members. Voo Store has secured its place in Berlin’s ranking of hotpots to deck out your fits, housing a range of brands from luxury to sport and outerwear. Thibaud Guyonnet, Creative Director at Voo comes from a cycling-heavy background. From daily bike commutes to mountain biking, cycling was a constant part of his upbringing in France. We accompanied Thibaud alongside Aya Bayar, Inventory Manager at Voo, to discover Berlin on their wheels, and what about the culture of the city they love most.
What does an average day look like for you?
Thibaud: "I wake up and head straight to the gym. I then bike from Mitte, where I live, down to Kreuzberg, every morning. I usually start my working day at Voo, sit down with colleagues for coffee and feel the energy in the store. After a full day at the office and meetings around town, I bike home and use these 30 minutes to unwind and relax."
Aya: "Wake up, take forever to choose an outfit, coffee, emails, catch up with my colleagues on the tasks for the week, make sure operations are going smoothly, lunch, go home, love cooking so I make a nice meal and invite friends over, have some natural wine sometimes, read before bed, go to sleep."
How frequently do you cycle?
Thibaud: "I bike every single day, even in winter. I just love to start my day like that, jumping on my bike always puts a smile on my face. The route I take to work is along the river and I get to bike in front of beautiful buildings. I really cherish these daily rides."
What are some of your favorite hangout spots in Berlin?
Aya: "Maybachufer, Sonnenallee for some amazing arabic food, La Maison for a nice croissant, all along Weserstrasse, Tempelhof, Admiralsbrucke, Schillerkiez, Cafe Luzia, the Turkish market on Tuesdays and Fridays, Nathanja und Heinrich, Motif Wine, Ammazza che Pizza - I love it all."
Thibaud: "I am very rarely in Berlin to be honest, but I will often stick around my neighborhood or bike down to Kreuzberg or Neukölln, where most of my friends live. Brunch and a walk around the canal are often on the cards too."
What do you love most about Berlin’s culture?
Aya: "The amazing creative industry. The music. The food. The beautiful parks. The amazing energy of people choosing Berlin as home."
Do you think there has been a shift in culture towards e-bikes and cycling in general?
Thibaud: "100%. It’s now reaching a younger demographic. I see the interest from people when I bike around the city. I have people approaching me all the time and asking me questions about the bike. People have a genuine interest in electric mobility, especially in the city."
How many of your staff at Voo travel around by bike?
Thibaud: "In summer, almost all the staff come to work by bike. Berlin is the perfect city to cycle around."
What about Berlin as a city makes a cycling experience so easy and accessible?
Aya: "Berlin is extremely well equipped for cyclists. The roads and pavements really work with bike riding."
Thibaud: "Space. We have the luxury of so much space in Berlin. The city has also invested in creating bike lanes all over and it makes the biking experience much nicer and safer. I live on Linienstrasse, which is a biking lane crossing all of Mitte. It is such a pleasant way to move around my neighborhood."
Why do you think VanMoof is the perfect crossover between sport, style, and mobility?
Aya: "It is incredibly functional and efficient yet sleek and beautiful."
Thibaud: "The VanMoof bike is not only a bike but also a design item. It’s the ultimate urban accessory for me. A mix of practicality, design, and technology."
What do you like about the VanMoof bike?
Thibaud: "I’m definitely less lazy since I got my bike. I’m more spontaneous when it comes to moving around the city and I love how easy the VanMoof is to use. The locking and security system also makes it so safe."
Aya: "It is just amazing. I love it. Will definitely cycle all of spring and summer and perhaps winter!"
The VanMoof S3 and X3 are available online at vanmoof.com and in VanMoof stores worldwide.
