Grand Ouest: in the saddle on the ByCYGO, the 100% local bike
The bicycle sector is booming. Nearly 2.6 million new bicycles were sold in 2022. In the Grand Ouest, cycling professionals have decided to pool their expertise to manufacture a regional electric bicycle. 27 companies are participating.
A ride on a ByCYGO is not just a bike ride. It is a demonstration of know-how. The handlebars come from Loire-Atlantique, the rims were assembled in Brittany, and the basket is from Vendée. Aymeric Le Brun, the manager of Cyfac cycles, does not hide his pride in this " locally manufactured" model. For six months, 27 companies from the Grand Ouest worked for free. In a battery factory, it took 300 hours to connect the battery to the motor.
Companies pushed by public authorities
How do you coordinate companies, both neighbors and competitors? The project was financed by three regions, each of which contributed 10,000 euros. " We broke the ice, and we considered that by pooling our efforts we would succeed ," explains Aymeric Le Brun. " When you feel supported by the public authorities, it gives you a little more wings ," adds Jean-Louis Jarry, the president of Vlad. The bikes will cost at least 1,500 euros. Ticatag participated in this project by providing TiLockers, a padlock that can be deactivated from the smartphone. This product is not intended for the general public.