Development and Engineering for Families
Pioneers of the longtail bicycle revolution, our R&D team continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on two wheels for families.
Our R&D team develops and tests innovative solutions for families directly on our production line in Brussels.
A wealth of innovations, patented or otherwise, that make our bike truly unique.
The first urban longtail bike!
Our founder, Etienne Richelle, cuts a bicycle in half and welds on a new, extended rear frame. The year is 2011, and the first urban longtail bike is born.
After four years of intensive R&D, the first batches of Bike 43 bicycles are manufactured in Brussels, and the brand makes its debut on the market.
The Magic Footbox
One of our very first ideas, simple yet highly effective: keeping the first child’s feet safely away from the pedals in a box beneath the saddle. This clever solution eliminates the need to move the first seat further back, making the bike more compact (-15 cm) and safer.
Pivoting Bars: Convenience and Safety
The safety bars swing open like car doors, allowing children to climb aboard effortlessly. Automatic locking ensures maximum safety. This innovation is patented.
One Frame, Two Sizes
A groundbreaking innovation: by changing the dropouts and rear rack, you can add or remove 15 cm. One frame that grows with your family.
Aerodynamics
To ensure stability in windy conditions, we designed a canopy that would slightly deform to accomodate wind gusts, avoiding any significant annoyance for passengers and instability during riding. The front of the canopy is rigid, while the back has more flexibility to cope with the wind. Using 3D design and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we found that a rounded front end, inspired by airplane wing profiles, provides a strong leading edge without compromising passengers space. Interestingly, our calculations on AirShaper revealed that the bike’s aerodynamics improved by 3% with a rider on it. As usual, we, at Bike 43 come up with innovations and we have filed a patent to ensure that customers are not fooled by uneffective copycat products.
The New EN17860 Safety Standard
By choosing a Bike 43, you’re choosing a bike engineered to withstand the most demanding conditions, far beyond legal requirements. While the EN17860 standard establishes a solid safety framework, we’ve taken testing even further in several critical areas to ensure absolute reliability.
The EN17860 standard is a great starting point, but at Bike 43, safety and durability are ongoing commitments, not just boxes to tick.
Ultimately, whether you choose a Bike 43 or not, we encourage you to contact your dealer or manufacturer to check whether the family bike you’re considering complies with the new standards. These requirements may seem extreme, but they’re designed to protect you and your family. And that’s probably what matters most.
German Design Award 2026
The Jury‘s Statement – Frankfurt, Germany
“The adaptable construction that grows with the family makes Bike43 Short and Mid longtail bikes especially relevant. The precise coordination of frame, accessories, and safety features demonstrates a consistent, durable design approach. This project stands out for its versatile usability, ease of repair, and its clear focus on the needs of contemporary users. A striking and evolutionarily conceived response to the demands of modern urban mobility.”