Modular, compact and ultra-flexible.
01.05.2024 | Mobility
Dominik Mahr is Team Lead Design in our Innovation & Development department. As a designer, he was instrumental in the development of the Carrie. He talks to us about the development process for the new cargo bike.
Hello Dominic, what is the idea behind the new Carrie?
The Carrie closes a gap in our product range: the compact Long John cargo bike is our entry-level model into the world of cargo bikes and is ideal for use in built-up urban spaces in which micro-mobility is playing an ever-greater role. The Carrie is an ultra-versatile cargo bike that provides an excellent alternative mode of transport to the car for families and people without children. Perfect for a quick trip to the supermarket or for regular trips to the sports club or nursery school, etc.
We have designed the Carrie to be modular in order to provide as many people as possible with an optimum riding experience whatever their living situation or lifestyle: the frame, which is small and slimline for a Long John, can be configured with the fold-out and lockable polypropylene Flex Box and a high-quality bag manufactured in Europe. One or two children can be carried in the Flex Box with the option to fit another child seat on the carrier with MIK system. The Carrie is a veritable space miracle!
What sets its design apart?
The design of the Carrie relies on traditional, geometric basic elements archetypical for the bike sector: e.g. circles, semi-circles or elongated holes, which simply and easily create the effect of an extraordinary, futuristic bike. To an onlooker, the rounded profiles teamed with the 20" tires give the impression of a BMX, which also gives the product an urban, young and familiar image. In terms of look and feel, the accessories also exude quality and safety, and are incorporated into the design-led overall concept of the bike. The Carrie is available in three new colours: aqua, anise and shadow. These extremely natural shades blend harmoniously into our existing colour concept, at the same time making an exciting statement with excellent brand recognition value.
How would you describe the bike’s riding behaviour and handling?
Its 20" wheels lend the Carrie an agile and sporty riding experience. It is very short – barely longer than a normal bike – and therefore easy to handle. And you can park it anywhere, thanks to its short and slimline dimensions.
What role does sustainability play in the development process?
This issue has a high priority at Riese & Muller. 81% of the frame manufactured in Portugal is made of ASI-certified recycled aluminium. And like all our bikes, thanks to its high-grade components, the Carrie is designed for the longest possible service life. We have also ensured that the individual components and accessories can be easily replaced and repaired. At the end of the bike’s life, the frame, components and accessories should be simple to recycle. And, like the new Culture models, the frames of the Carrie are powder-coated. This ensures a hard-wearing and durable finish and is, at the same time, a very resource-conserving paint application method, as scarcely any material is lost in powder-coating.