LinkedIn post from Dec 05, 2023

Dear bicycle industry,

I can't = I don't want to
no answer = I don't want to

We must act NOW if our planet is worth anything to us. You tell me that you do. With the traffic turnaround. Now there are several problems with this statement:

1. You cannot visit your suppliers in Asia on your bike. You fly by plane. Of course, as usual.

2. You don't set up your trade fairs on your bike. You drive up in huge trucks and waste gigantic amounts of material for a few days of exhibition. There are more and more trade fairs that are getting bigger and bigger.

3. Your bikes are no longer bikes. They are highly carbonized e-bikes. With cobalt from the children's mines in the Congo. With electronics for which there is no circular solution. With total integration, which is difficult to repair. With compatibilities that you constantly change so that nothing fits together. With carbon, more than ever.

4. Many people who used to just ride bikes are now riding e-bikes. For example in the Netherlands.

5. A lot of people live in rural areas and have nothing to do with the urban transport transition. In Germany that is 55 million.

6. Cambodia is not a responsible manufacturing country. I have been there. You are lucky that end consumers are not yet aware of such sources.

7. You refuse to promote the circular economy. And talk. And talk. And say you're absolutely amazing. And delay the green progress again.

8. The few who want are aware that they are at the beginning. And don't say they're totally great.

9. You could replace DOT fluids with vegetable oil. Already for next season. A large American producer of DOT brakes told me in June: We are only interested in higher, faster, further.

10. You're panicking and now want to boost consumption. Consumption is responsible for 40% of emissions. Air traffic for 3.5%.

Today I am announcing that I have won the German Design Award 2024 with my circular bicycle concept. Due to the eco design. And I'm angry with you. I created the thing in a shack with no heat. From a pile of scrap metal. Without money. And you tell the world that none of this is possible. I'm not a brilliant inventor, I've just been busy with this one topic. Shame on you. Finally do your homework. Come out of puberty. Shut down your ego. For the benefit of everyone.