February 27, 2025 - (Mühltal, Germany) Riese & Müller announces that it is now using reusable packaging as standard when shipping e-bikes within Europe, becoming the first bike manufacturer to do so. The concept which has been successfully tested in trials over several months, will now go into serial operation with more than 1,000 dealers in Europe. BikeBoxes are plastic boxes that can be reused up to 30 times. Compared to standard packaging, more than 70% CO2 and up to 210 kg cardboard can be saved in the life cycle of one single BikeBox.
“The BikeBox for e-bikes is a flagship project for sustainable shipping, and the European roll-out is a real pioneering feat achieved by our Logistics department,” says Dr Sandra Wolf, CEO of Riese & Müller. “From the initial idea and process development to major roll-out, we have been promoting a reusable system that can act as a ready-to-use concept for the whole bicycle industry. We do not intend to remain the only manufacturer that ships products in reusable boxes.”
Under constant development
The BikeBox, developed by manufacturer circular logistics, was initially intended for private use. However, Riese & Müller decided to start using it on a much larger scale. Since 2023, the reusable system has been assessed for its practicality in two test phases with 90 international dealers, and the boxes and processes have been continuously optimised along the way. More than 1,000 dealers from Germany, Austria, Benelux, France, Italy and Spain are now taking part in the serial operation.
Made of 60% recycled polypropylene (PP), the BikeBox is highly robust and can be used up to 30 times to ship e-bikes. Once the dealer successfully receives their shipment, they fold the boxes to save space and send them back to Riese & Müller. The boxes are then tested and fed back into the loop. At the end of their use phase, they can be completely recycled.
In addition to its reusability, the BikeBox has other advantages:
• The material is much more durable than standard cardboard, which better protects the bicycle against damage in transit.
• The BikeBox can also be stored outdoors as the material is good at withstanding weather and rain.
• The risk of injury when cutting open a cardboard box is also avoided.
From now on, the reusable boxes will be used across Europe as the free standard shipping option for day orders placed by Riese & Müller dealers. In future, dealers can request shipment in conventional cardboard boxes at an additional cost.
About Riese & Müller
Riese & Müller is a German premium manufacturer of E-Bikes, Cargo Bikes and folding bikes. Founded in 1993 by Markus Riese and Heiko Müller, the owner-managed company employs around 800 people at its premises in Mühltal near Darmstadt and sells its products worldwide through an exclusive dealer network. Alongside the founder and CEO Heiko Müller, Dr Sandra Wolf operates as CEO, with responsibility for the strategic orientation of Riese & Müller. Markus Riese is involved in the company both as a partner and engineering mentor. Riese & Müller is helping to shape the mobility of tomorrow with its pioneering products and as the specialist in Cargo Bikes and fast HS bikes. The company is synonymous with a sustainable lifestyle, user-focused product development and innovative E-Bike technologies. In addition to the ongoing evolution of its products, Riese & Müller’s overall strategy includes taking responsibility for people and the environment. In its activities, the company is guided by its four pillars of responsibility: culture, ecology, social responsibility and economics.
