Miles of smiles with the “Support Cyclists on the Road” project

The bicycle is more than just a means of transport or a way to keep fit—it is a declaration of freedom, an act of love for the environment, and a commitment to a more-sustainable lifestyle. And on this ride towards a greener and healthier future, Selle Royal is a dedicated companion making a difference through a special project: "Support Cyclists on the Road". This initiative aims to actively support cyclists in cities across Europe, solving their mechanical problems and improving personal comfort on the bike. We do all of it while sharing positivity, smiles, and top tune-up tips at every stop along the way. In this article, we explore in detail how Selle Royal is making a concrete commitment to the future of mobility and the international cycling community.

The 'Support Cyclists on the Road' project first saw the light of day in spring of 2018. Inside a bright yellow Van that houses a mobile bike workshop and a professional coffee bar, we’ve been traveling roads all over Europe since then with a dedicated team and the goal of supporting cyclists for free. We visited both well-established, bike-friendly cities as well as up-and-coming locales that were investing in improving their streets with a more human-focused and sustainable approach. Many countries visited, many cultures experienced, with one common denominator: the amazement expressed by every cyclist at the project's simple, yet valuable, offer.

Fast forward to today, and the number of bicycles we’ve repaired amounts to more than 4,000—while the number of coffees offered is almost double that. But that's not all. Beyond on-site repairs, we have provided tips for proper saddle set up, helping riders lead the most comfortable life on the saddle possible. We have also taught hundreds of cyclists how to easily maintain their bikes at home to keep them pedaling smoothly. For Selle Royal, supporting cyclists is a concrete commitment that not only drives every product innovation, but also every initiative aimed at supporting various cycling communities around the world. But how exactly does it all work? Just a coffee and a tune-up? No way.

1. We raise cyclists' awareness of the importance of cycling culture and sustainable mobility. It is essential to teach cyclists to understand and maintain their own personal bikes, that can become their faithful companions in everyday life. That is why we create valuable moments with cyclists in each city we visit, during which locals can learn how to keep their bikes in top riding shape. If the free check-up is only the first part of that process, workshops invite cyclists themselves to put on their gloves and open their toolboxes.
2. We create connections and a sense of community by actively collaborating with local institutions to promote the bicycle as a sustainable means of transport, and we bring together communities of cyclists to celebrate the values and culture of cycling. For Selle Royal, the diversity that is captured from country to country is an added benefit to be understood and preserved. The connections with local authorities and relationships we’ve established over time allow us to take the “Support Cyclists on the Road” project to more and more cities, in which we continue to build synergies in support of a growing list of local cycling communities.
3. We bring the comfort of Selle Royal products to the streets and squares of Europe, making them available to be tested and appreciated by all types of cyclists, from commuters to messengers, travelers to mountain bikers. For us, comfort is at the heart of any experience on the saddle, and we want it to be so for all those who buy our products as well as those who visit us on the road.

Everything starts with cyclists. And in the end, they are what everything comes back to. That’s why we measure our most meaningful results in the smiles of those who experience the “Support Cyclists on the Road” project firsthand.

There are those like Matilde, who came to visit us in Strasbourg with her dad, asking our team to take off her training wheels so she could pedal her first few meters balanced right in front of us. A turning-point in her life and a magic moment for us all.

Or Florian, a long-distance bike traveler from the Netherlands, who found himself on the same road as us twice on his journey from Holland to Greece. Life always brings us on the same road of cyclists that need us the most. What an incredible joy!

And then Eva, who pedals to work every day in Berlin and wants to be independent when solving little problems on her bike.

How can we forget the young, yet experienced, cyclists from Austria? On the way from their home country to France, chose to swing by for a free bike check-up in Salzburg and ended up staying with us for a whole afternoon.

The experiences we take home from every “Support Cyclists” event help inform future improvements. The project has evolved significantly over time: the number of countries involved has expanded, the services offered to cyclists have been upgraded and the connections with local authorities and communities intensified.

Are you ready to go on the road with Selle Royal? Watch the video below to discover the true essence of our project: cyclists and the passion we put into supporting them each and every day.

Now that you have climbed aboard our Van and experienced the "Support Cyclists on the Road" project together with Selle Royal, why not stick around and find out more about the many ways in which we can continue to actively support cycling communities and sustainable transport. It is through action that Selle Royal aims to continue to pursue these primary goals: establishing and promoting a strong cycling culture, offering services completely free of charge for all those who love their bikes maintained and a sustainable lifestyle, and continuing to create products that accompany the daily lives of our cyclists.