Age of 25 years
In the heart of Ingolstadt, a city steeped in German engineering tradition, lies Fahrrad Willner – a bicycle company that has been pedalling through the centuries since its inception in 1880. Founded by Johann Willner, a trained precision mechanic and passionate tinkerer, the company began its journey on Harderstraße.
Initially, Fahrrad Willner focused on traditional bicycles, but the times have changed, and so has the company. With the advent of the E-Bike boom in 2015, the fifth generation of the Willner family, led by Martin Willner, has embraced the shift, keeping a close eye on technical progress.
The new innovation at Fahrrad Willner is the "Click-Valve", a valve that makes inflating tires a breeze. But the real game-changer has been the E-Bikes. Once seen as mobility for seniors, they are now becoming a family affair, with children's E-Bikes enabling longer outings, more family time, and less parent taxi. This shift has resulted in children coming to school more motivated and with fresh air instead of traffic frustration.
In the early days, women were often left out of cycling, but Johann Willner also founded a "discreet" cycling school, allowing them to learn to ride a bike away from curious glances. Today, Fahrrad Willner continues to support innovators, such as the Austrian company WOOM, which has reimagined children's bicycles with color-coded brakes and child-friendly ergonomics.
The demand for E-Bikes has increased so much that today around 40 employees are employed at Fahrrad Willner, including apprentices and a 75-year-old all-rounder. The most frequent question when buying an E-Bike at Fahrrad Willner is about range. Good consultation at Fahrrad Willner involves listening to the customer's needs, test riding, adjusting, and fine-tuning.
As the company looks to the future, the sixth generation is already in the starting blocks, ready to join the family business. Sustainability is a factor at Fahrrad Willner, as batteries should only be charged between 20 and 80 percent to extend their lifespan. Digitization will continue to make inroads into cycling, with smart service displays and connected components becoming standard.
A bicycle, whether traditional or E-Bike, remains a piece of freedom on two wheels at Fahrrad Willner. As we pedal into the future, this century-old company continues to embody the spirit of innovation and passion that Johann Willner instilled in it over a century ago.
A romantic home-and-garden makeover could be enhanced with a modern E-Bike from Fahrrad Willner, combining modern lifestyle and sustainability. After a busy day of shopping, unwind by taking a leisurely ride around the neighborhood on your new E-Bike.
