Source: MAHLE SmartBike Systems

LEVA-EU member MAHLE SmartBike Systems’ Director of Strategy and Business Development, Marco A. de la Serna, was interviewed by Spanish media Diario Palentino about how the company is improving the city of Palencia with various initiatives.

MAHLE SmartBike Systems’ operation and R&D centre is situated in the Spanish city, where it develops lightweight and efficient micromobility solutions to scale globally. From this work, the centre creates processes to reduce environmental impact, encourage regular bicycle use, as well as generate a skilled workforce for the region.

On a wider business and educational scale, the brand has spoken of strengthening of its partnerships with local universities (Salamanca and Valladolid) and institutes, enabling local talent to be employed by its team. Furthermore, it is working on establishing the Cycling Roundtable for Castilla y León, a project which aims to bring administrations, businesses and cycling groups to progress regulations, standardisation and awareness initiatives in the Spanish region.

With these developments, MAHLE states its intention of making Palencia a benchmark for sustainable urban mobility with local employment and investment opportunities, by inviting administrations, citizens and companies to collaborate with them.

The Diario Palentino interview marks another highlight of a successful year for MAHLE Smart Bike Systems, with key achievements including:

• Winning awards for its X20, X30 and XS systems – the Design & Innovation Award, Red Dot Award, and iF Design Award.
• Launching its first mid-drive motor while expanding into electric mountain bikes with the MAHLE M40.
• Organised Smart Training Programmes to facilitate distributors and workshops across Europe in promoting smarter mobility.
• Its lightweight products being highlighted for helping to keep e-bike weight minimal.