since last year, i’ve been leading the product design of a foldable cargo bike developed in hamburg. the concept merges the load capacity of a long-john bike with a compact folding mechanism, designed for modern urban life and small spaces.
beyond physical design, my role spans strategic development and user experience across digital and physical touchpoints. i’ve worked on everything from cad and prototyping to dealer engagement, brand and web strategy, and new retail experiences, both online and in-store.
check out the website foldride.com
the challenge:
in urban contexts, many cargo bikes offer great load capacity but fail to address the real constraints of daily life: small apartments, limited bike parking, and the need to combine bikes with public transit or car travel.
we set out to design a new mobility category
we start with the people: talking to current and potential users to understand their needs, challenges, and expectations in detail. it provides the foundation to address issues like space constraints, transport, and handling.
by mapping a typical journey with conventional cargo bikes (from purchase decisions to daily routines) we uncovered persistent challenges users face:
lack of guidance when choosing the right model, difficulty storing the bike, and barriers when combining it with public transport. these moments of friction revealed opportunities that became the starting point for FOLD’s design.
to translate these findings into clear product direction, we developed a market positioning matrix.
this helped us map existing cargo bike solutions, identify white space opportunities, and strategically position our foldable concept, balancing load capacity, portability, and urban readiness.
from this foundation, several key developments followed
positioning: FOLD is not a bike for everyone, but perfect for those who need cargo flexibility and space efficiency. It’s designed for urban dwellers, freelancers, young families, or micro-businesses who lack a garage but still need to transport things.
modularity & accessories: the research showed that users often hack their bikes to suit changing needs. we identified a need for a modular system – adapters, storage add-ons, and potential subscription-based services.
go-to-market strategy: what makes FOLD unique? where and how do we sell it? we’re now exploring pre-order models, urban retail pop-ups, and key storytelling hooks to reach early adopters.
the transfer:
a key part of my role has been aligning communication, product, and service. from talking to deutsche bahn to enable train transport support, to helping early customers, coordinating components, and shaping a launch-ready experience that connects hardware, logistics, and interface thinking.
throughout the project, i’ve built deep expertise in the field of urban mobility. regular visits to eurobike, ongoing exchange with industry professionals, and a growing understanding of the broader innovation landscape have sharpened my strategic perspective.
what excites me most is designing systems that go beyond the object – combining interface, user experience, and service into seamless and meaningful journeys.