Saddle up Buttercup
Companion discovers the inspiration behind FLINC, the compact city and cargo bike company
It all started, as a lot of things do, with Steven Spielberg. Markus Freitag, founder of FLINC Cycles, was just 12 years old when he first saw in-tergalactic blub-fest 'E.T.' at the cinema. As well as the actual movie, he was also impressed by Elliott's BMX, with the front basket and E.T. inside… a truly iconic cinema moment.
Later, it became clear to Freitag that "...the ideal everyday bike would have 20-inch wheels, be robust, and equipped with a large luggage compartment in the right place, ensuring lots of manoeuvrability," Lara Heller, the Communications Manager for FLINC tells me. And so, a mere four decades later, Freitag created an alien-inspired bicycle, perfect for nipping around. FLINC is a compact two-wheeler which is as convenient as an urban minibike, as comfortable as a cargo bike, and as sturdy as Elliot’s BMX… though sadly it can’t fly. Yet.
Why does the world need a FLINC bike? I've already noticed quite a few bikes around European cities. "The world still needs many sustainable mobility solutions: large and small bicycles, so many that there is at least one for every world/city dweller," Lara tells me. "A closer look reveals that the world especially needs bikes like FLINC, a nimble, compact city and cargo bike. FLINC adapts to all situations and, over its decades of use, to all stages of life and urban cycling needs." There are also a lot more technical bike words like ‘hub dynamo’ and ‘11-speed hub gear’ which I don’t understand, but sound impressive. The main thing I glean is that it’s made to last a lifetime, in stark contrast to the obsolescence built into many modern products.
Zurich seems to be such a green city, too. From the mountains to the rivers and lakes, there appears to be a healthy mix between the urban and the great outdoors… there's even alpine-fresh drinking water from fountains everywhere. So, is this a city-friendly cycle for a cycle-friendly city? "It’s nice to see that there is a strong cycling community which is also politically active, but the roads are narrow and there are still few cycle paths," answers Lara, somewhat surprisingly. "But the city is working on solutions. By 2031, for example, the city wants to have 130 kilometres of cycle paths."
But what a picturesque part of the world to cycle in, from town to country in moments, the clear alpine air blowing in your face, the bother of the big city melting away. Does Lara have any favourite routes? "There are many beautiful routes, especially around Zurich. It's small, so you can be on the outskirts of the city in just 10 minutes by bike. Whether you head north or south, along Lake Zurich or the Limmat, there are city escapes; in all directions, as well as a few hills for mountain bikers and downhill fans."
It’s also a city of bankers… it must be a great place to start a business? "It’s not easy," replies Lara. "Living in the city is expensive, and not everyone can work on new projects for too long without an income. On the other hand, it's also much easier in Zurich because the city is a manageable size, so you can still make a name with a new product and limited resources. We want to get lots of people excited about cycling, especially those waiting for the tram; who don't look good on those unsightly electric scooters; or, even worse, are stuck in traffic jams in their cars."
Who would have thought a homesick alien just looking to borrow someone's phone would have led here. Now all they need to figure out is how to make them fly, and we'll see Swiss bankers peddling through the clear, alpine air before we know it.
Check out zurichrides.com for some great cycle routes around this Swiss city.
