THE i:SY STORY
"I always say that E.T. would not have survived if they had ridden 28-inch wheels instead of 20-inch ones. That's a clear statement in favour of 20 inches.”
MARTIN KUHLMEIER
i:SY FOUNDER & DEVELOPER
The start of an extraordinary story
Martin Kuhlmeier is the inventor of the i:SY. He built his first bike when he was just ten years old to win a cycle race. He won on a fast, extra lightweight 20 inch wheel and never raced again. However, Martin had a new goal from then on: re-invent the bicycle. Over the years, he has developed a concept for a bicycle with unparalleled capabilities and unrivalled riding characteristics.
The i:SY is conceived
Martin Kuhlmeier conceived and developed the vehicle concept back in 2007. It wasn't long before they materialised: the first i:SY models in the world! The phonetic spelling of the word "easy" was the ideal name for a bike that would make life easy for cyclists in every way. The idea to make the i:SY electric existed from the outset. Martin sought a partner for production and finally found one in manufacturer BIKETEC (FLYER) in summer 2008.
First successes & electrification
The i:SY was unveiled at the EuroBike in Friedrichshafen in 2008, where it was awarded a prize in the newly introduced Compact Bike category. This rapidly ensured a high profile in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 2009 saw the first i:SY with a Panasonic motor delivered. At that time, we were backwater pioneers, a small East Westphalian company with a garage set-up casting its eye towards greater things with its idea of a small, compact bike.
New, strong partner
The switch to the Bosch drive involved a change to a new licensed partner. The long-established company Hermann Hartje KG based in the German town of Hoya thus manufactured the i:SY from 2013 until the end of 2021. i:SY has been independent since 2022. Kettler carries out final production in Germany.
Fifteen years have now passed since the initial idea. The electric i:SY has now become a benchmark in the segment, where it alone can claim to be the Original.
THE i:SY HOME STORY
Martin Kuhlmeier and his wife Nora Rolfsmeier reflect on the i:SY Story and look to the future with a sense of fulfilment.
