Last year we presented the cap and the classic ride in the halls at the Gleisdreieck with our own stand together with the Viennese colleagues from In Velo Veritas and the Selberbruzzlern. A nice experience, but this year we were looking forward to changing perspectives again and being inspired by what was happening at the fair as “completely normal” visitors. We used the time we gained to stroll around the exhibition grounds, made new contacts and were pleased to be able to deepen established partnerships. All with the aim of offering a great selection across all bike-related ranges in one hat.

The Berliner Fahrradschau itself is growing, both in terms of space and diversity. And it stays what it is: not a reflection of current trends, but rather a trendsetter in terms of trade fair concepts. Here it is not just about the bicycle as the best means of urban transport and the coveted piece of sports equipment, you will find lifestyle, attitude and passion, sorted under the headings Ambition, Handmade, Urban Lifestyle, Velo Couture, Travel & Tour and E-Mobility. Established companies next to innovative newcomers, people with conviction and technology nerds next to high-flyers and marketing experts. Consistently a convincing event, even if special marketing forms of some mass manufacturers occasionally get out of hand.

But this year we were not only out and about in the exhibition halls, we also looked at some nice shops in Berlin. The spacious area of ​​the airport Tempelhof was also worth a trip for us, this year among other things the place for a cargo bike meeting and race. And on Saturday evening, after the end of the trade fair, we stood like many others on the indoor kart track in Neukölln to watch the big fixed-gear spectacle of the Rad Race Crew: Last Man and Woman Standing. Great sport, great fun and lots of fuss.

Of course, we were on the road with our bikes, as befitting our status. And find out that Berlin is making good progress when it comes to cycling. Even if there is still a lot to improve. But with its wide streets and bus lanes, Berlin has a lot of space that can be redistributed. A big advantage compared to a compact city like Düsseldorf...

Unfortunately, after the 3 days we were in Berlin, we still had the feeling that we hadn't seen nearly everything that we would have wanted to see. Which, of course, can be taken as a great compliment for the trade fair.

It is worth taking a look at the capital. For cyclists at least every March to the Berlin Bicycle Show.

See you in 2017.

CARGO BIKES AT TEMPELHOFER FELD

TRADE FAIR AT THE GLEISDREIECK

RAD RACE ON THE KARTBAHN NEUKÖLLN