BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Riese & Müller of Germany has signed an exclusive distribution agreement this week for Wisper Bikes to bring the range to the UK.
Wisper, better known for the manufacture and distribution of electric bicycles, will bring Riese & Müller’s complete range to these shores, including the iconic Birdy folding bike.
“We are delighted to be representing such a well respected European manufacturer," said Wisper director David Miall. "Although our immediate interest was the blueLABEL and Riese & Müller branded electric bicycles, we could see the obvious advantages of stocking all Riese & Müller’s models, both standard and electric.
“I believe this is the first time an electric bicycle specialist in the UK has taken on a range of non-electric bikes. Perfect for the integration of electric bikes into mainstream IBDs.” [A browse through the BikeBiz.com archives has revealed that EBC was the first, taking on Mobiky last year].
Markus Riese and Heiko Müller met in the late ’80s while studying mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt. Both keen cyclists, they formed Riese & Müller in 1993, immediately winning the Hessen Innovation Award for a brand new folding bike design. The full suspension, agile Birdy was launched in the same year.
Inspired by the MTB boom, Riese and Müller were convinced full suspension bikes with 26” tyres were ideal for comfortable day-to-day riding. In 2008 as environmentally conscious living became more important to the people of Germany, especially in urban areas, Riese & Müller began developing a range of e-bikes, based on the brand’s full suspension bikes.
There’s more information available from Wisper’s Douglas Lawson on 01590 681553 or at douglas.lawson@wisperbikes.com.
