We can change the world. Day in, day out, with every idea we have and every decision we make. Some steps are easy, obvious and self-evident. Others take a bit more thought. It was the same with DOWNTOWN.
If not us, who?
We have made it our aim to transform cities and our lives into something more livable. We want to clear up misconceptions and spread excitement and inspiration instead. We want to present you with solutions and alternatives, but without recriminations. You have a central role in this. The shift won’t be as easy as buying a gym membership (but never going) or starting a SlimFast diet (but cheating). It’ll take a bit of work to understand what our generation needs as humans, re-imagining infrastructure and creating a favourable climate for change.
Right now, change is on the agenda. The opportunity to create more livable cities has never been so close. The bike industry has a big role to play, much bigger than any one of us can actually grasp at the moment. The innovation from brands and the interest in cargo bikes, eBikes and new mobility solutions have never been so prevalent. Let’s join together, be better than yesterday and have discussions about how to make our lives more diverse, more effective, and more enjoyable. If not us, who?
You can download the new issue now in our magazine app, as usual, completely free! If you don’t have our app yet, you can download it for free in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android smartphones and tablets).
Have fun reading this issue and here’s to a new, better world that we’ll shape together, every single day!
The Highlights
- The best cargo bike – 9 cargo concepts on test
- The era of eSUVs – E-MTBs as a new urban status symbol
- One night stand with a Persian rug and a cargo bike #vanlife
- Chilli Vanilli – Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ on test
- Finding the essence – about martial arts and the art of living
Our free, digital magazine is the centrepiece of our work and definitely the best way to experience our content, with interactive features as well as beautiful photography and videos all packed into a unique design. If you like our website, we’re sure you’ll love our magazine app. By the way: the app even gives you access to all of our back issues – hours upon hours of first-class content!
What to expect in this issue
E-cargo bikes inspire a new kind of lifestyle, open up unprecedented new freedoms and are considered a modern status symbol: cool, sporty, sustainable. Not even a Porsche 911 attracts as much interest and positive vibes! We tested nine cargo bike concepts with prices ranging from € 499 to € 7,858 and found a clear winner.
Stereotypes. They are hard to avoid. Especially against blondes. And step-throughs. So when we headed out on a ride with the HNF-NICOLAI UD3 (a step-through) and Paulina (a blonde), we smashed stereotype bingo. For this issue of Downtown, here is a story about being born with petrol coursing through your veins, unconventional ebikes, craftsmanship, picking kids over a career and why the idea of choice in our lives might be false.
With the Mavaro Neo 1, Cannondale have introduced a step-through bike for urban use that combines elements from the future with a throwback to the 90s. The bike promises lots of comfort and security for everyday use. Read on to find out why the bike’s most innovative features are inspired by bats and whether the overall concept works for everyday use!
Normally, Pascal churns his way up the hill on his 3-speed Dutch bike. So, if he says, “Yeah man, I’m really flying uphill today!” then something special is afoot: it’s the brand new, lightweight Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ with its SL 1.1 motor providing up to 240 W support. Is this the perfect introduction into the world of ebikes?
True fashionistas are at home everywhere. With fashion culture no longer confined to Paris or Milan, we hit the streets of Stuttgart to seek out new trends and see which styles are finding their stride. Away from the furore of fashion week, let’s take a look at where vintage and modern collide and where the right bike is key to getting the compliments.
Stuck in the daily grind? Sounds like you’re due a microadventure. The wilderness may seem like a distant vision to many of us right now, but it’s closer than you think. To satisfy our wanderlust, we’re trying out the two-wheeled vanlife. With a fully loaded E-cargo bike and the open road ahead of us, what could go wrong?
If you have already installed our free app, simply open it and download the latest issue right now. If not, first download the free app from the App Store (iPhone / iPad) or the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets) and then download the latest issue in the app. All you’ve got to do then is sit back and enjoy (ideally with a cold beer or a delicious cup of coffee)! #qualitytime
For even more content, check out the new DOWNTOWN Website!
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