Chiara is never still. She juggles between her office, karate lessons, mountain trips, SUP, and kayaking. While others might dream of a vacation lounging on a beach chair by the sea, she prefers traveling and exploring new places. Instead of a night at a nightclub, she chooses an overnight stay at a high-altitude refuge.She lives outside the province, and to get to work in downtown Bergamo every day, she has two options.
The first is by car. But heavy traffic and endless queues are a daily occurrence. Covering a distance of barely 30 km sometimes takes her more than an hour.
What a waste of time!
The alternative is the train + bicycle. This way, she saves time, avoids stress, and stays active.
“It takes me 5 minutes to pedal from home to the station,” she tells us. “And once I arrive in Bergamo, it’s another 5 minutes to the office.”
A sustainable choice, sure, but also a practical one, as she admits:
“Driving is always a gamble; I never know how much traffic I’ll encounter. Sometimes it takes me an hour or more because an accident completely blocks the road. Sitting still or crawling along is frustrating. On the train, it always takes 20 minutes, during which I can read a book or browse the internet on my smartphone, maybe check out friends’ posts on social media. These are all things I’d never do while driving. I don’t waste time, in short.”
Bergamo Bike-Friendly
And the bike? Do you find it difficult to move around the city?
“Not at all! With the foldable bike, which I transport on the train with no trouble, I move around easily and quickly. In fact, I even have time to stop for a coffee, parking it right in front of the café, before getting to the office. I take side streets and bike lanes. In this sense, Bergamo has changed a lot in recent years, favoring light mobility.”
Okay, but you’re sporty, you’re used to being active…
“True, I like using the bike at every opportunity. Last year, my husband and I set off from home with two eBikes and reached Croatia: that’s our idea of a vacation. But even those who aren’t trained can get around without using a car, especially in the city center. The infrastructure is growing, and the benefits in terms of time and health are undeniable. You just need the right bike for your needs.”
Compact and Lightweight
The right bike, indeed.
Hers is a Riese & Muller Birdy, a muscular folding bike with an aluminum frame, solid and robust, yet lightweight. The only non-assisted pedal model from the German brand and also an icon: it was the first bicycle designed by founders Markus Riese and Heiko Müller.
Unlike other folding bikes, this one has a single-piece aluminum frame for maximum sturdiness and lightness. It offers comfort thanks to front and rear suspension, while the small 18″ wheels provide complete maneuverability.
Lightweight and practical, it folds up in a flash and fits on any transport and in any trunk. Even under the office desk, so there’s no worry about leaving it parked outside. Additionally, with adjustable seat post and handlebar stem, it suits all heights.
The ideal companion for the home-to-work commute.