E-bikes are a key element of the transportation transition and, especially for many commuters, a real alternative to cars. Of course, e-bikes are significantly more expensive to purchase than a traditional bicycle. So it’s no wonder that the first digital application for e-bikes was designed to prevent theft. But with motion and sensor data, there’s much more that can be done with bicycles—even those without motors. In principle, all kinds of parameters can be measured—both those of the vehicle and those of the rider—and in an increasingly digital environment, the bike can also be viewed as a connected device within the Internet of Things. Automation in road traffic is a key concept here. Furthermore, beyond their utility for individual comfort—assuming sufficient personal enthusiasm for digital tools and gadgets—meaningful data from bicycle traffic is also of great value for transportation planning on the one hand, and the development of innovative business models on the other.
Rainer de Mey is Chief Digital Officer at e-bike manufacturer Riese & Müller, a company with expertise in digitalization for cycling. In this digital discussion, the expert describes which digital applications are available for bicycles today, how the needs of very diverse groups of cyclists are evolving, what data is collected for digital cycling, and how and by whom it can be used. De Mey explains the limitations small and medium-sized enterprises face in terms of digital development, and what needs might be expected in the future. Together with hosts Marlene Görger and Petra Gehring, de Mey also discusses where digitalization makes sense for bicycles and where it’s more of a gimmick, what will be needed to use bicycle data for urban planning and traffic safety—and whether the completely non-digital bicycle will soon be left behind.
Episode 70: Digitalgespräch with Rainer de Mey of Riese & Müller, 7th of October 2025
Further Information:
To the website of the LOEWE Focus DyNaMo of Kassel University: https://www.uni-kassel.de/forschung/dynamo.html
To the website of the Data-portal „Radverkehr in Deutschland“, through which a spin-off of the Technical University of Dresden provides traffic data from the STADTRADELN campaigns: https://www.radverkehr-in-deutschland.de
all episodes of Digitalgespräch
The podcast is in German. At the moment there is no English version or transcript available.