Peter Grünblatt, a successful former banker, makes no compromises – least of all with his e-bikes. The lawyer, not only a thinker but also gifted with his hands and technically, built the bicycle of his dreams himself. First condition: it had to look outrageously good and stand out from the crowd. On top of that it should be technically innovative and of the highest quality in every detail – a high bar for someone starting from scratch. But Grünblatt is a perfectionist; he invested much time and heart until, in 2018, it was ready: Velocipede Fogliaverde was born.
The Battery – Small and Clever
Whether puncture-proof tyres, fully countersunk screws, a rosewood chain guard or leather carrying straps – every element of these refined bikes is thought through to the last detail. And the battery? You barely see it: extremely small, discreet and energy-recovering. Via an intelligent system with torque and tilt sensors, it recharges when braking, descending and above 25 km/h. For the almost invisible motor with integrated battery, Fogliaverde – that is, Grünblatt – has won several innovation and design awards. The drive is conveniently controlled via smartphone.
The bikes are exclusive: no more than 250 a year. There could be far more, given the demand – but mass production doesn’t interest Grünblatt. His retro-look bikes deliberately appeal to a minority for whom the look of their vehicle matters. Today they are ridden in Jakarta and Monterey, in Moscow and Geneva. Peter Grünblatt has reached his goal. More at velocipede-fogliaverde.ch.
This article appeared in MEN issue 1/22 (May 2022).
