9 unbeatable reasons to get on your bike

What motivates us to get on our bikes? Is it the pursuit of sporting excellence, the desire for a more relaxed everyday life, or the longing for a great adventure? We set out in Brixen to find out. The answer is as varied as the trails around the Plose: there isn’t just one reason to love cycling – there are at least nine.

We spoke to nine very different people who have firmly integrated cycling into their lives. Their stories show why the bicycle is the most flexible, emotional and sustainable mode of transport of our time.

To discover more (Martina Rabensteiner, city guide)

For Martina, there’s no better way to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of Brixen than on two wheels. Off the beaten track, she guides visitors and locals through the old town and the charming villages in the surrounding area. On a bike, your perspective changes every minute, allowing you to get to know the region from a completely new and fresh angle.

Because journeys change us (Sarah Bernardi, Life & Business Coach)

For globetrotter Sarah, the bicycle is the very definition of the perfect travelling speed. Fast enough to make progress, yet slow enough to soak up the surroundings fully. Without the pressure to perform or Strava stats, cycling becomes pure meditation for her. Her perfect day on a bike? The inspiring energy of a group ride with other women, followed by a dip in the lake and a large ice cream.

For a better quality of life (Martina Sigmund, everyday cyclist)

Simply leaving the car in the garage: Martina Sigmund leads by example. She tackles the route from Elvas down to Brixen effortlessly on her e-bike. No rush-hour traffic, no tedious waiting in traffic jams and no more time-wasting searches for a parking space. Thanks to the eBike2Work initiative, she clocked up an impressive 6,000 kilometres last year, proving just how much ease, exercise and cost savings cycling brings to everyday life.

To be flexible and free (Martin Forer, handcyclist)

Whereas buses are tied to rigid timetables and a car requires constant loading and unloading of the wheelchair, for Martin the handbike means complete independence. He sets off straight from his front door, takes his daughter to school, carries on to work or does the shopping. The bike takes him to any destination in a straightforward, healthy and sustainable way – with far fewer barriers and maximum freedom.

To clear her head (Monica Borsatto, mountain rescuer)

From childhood adventures to leisure sport: Monica has been cycling her whole life. Whether it’s a city bike, an enduro or a gravel bike – the bicycle is her most loyal companion. When everyday life gets stressful, there’s only one remedy for her: hop on the bike. As she pedals, her worries fade away, the stress eases and her mind clears for new, creative ideas.

Because it’s simply fun (Matilda Seyr, athlete)

The youngest of the bunch shows what it’s all about at its core: the pure joy of riding. Matilda’s passion was first sparked on the children’s course at the Testival. Today, as part of the Gravity Team Plose Bike, she tackles obstacles with great motivation and celebrates successes on the winners’ podium. Her story reminds us that cycling is, above all, a great adventure that helps us grow with every obstacle we overcome.

For greater awareness (Stefan Santifaller, adventurer)

Anyone who, like Stefan on his ‘Crossing Europe Twice’ project, has spent over 6,000 kilometres in the saddle knows this: cycling slows us down and connects us deeply with the world. Despite scorching heat, freezing cold or fierce headwinds, every turn of the cranks brings progress. For Stefan, the bike is an invitation to discover the world with heightened senses and to live more mindfully.

For greater freedom (Pamela, a schoolgirl from Malawi)

Pamela’s story, which led her to the bike festa via World Bicycle Relief, shows just how dramatically a bicycle can change a life. A daily eight-kilometre walk used to cause her to be late for school and led to poor grades. With her sturdy Buffalo bike, everything changed: she now arrives at school on time, has found new hope and, thanks to her newfound mobility, is pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse on her own terms.

For greater ease (Florian Peer, pharmacist)

Florian, a pharmacist, proves that logistics and quality of life need not be mutually exclusive. The team at the long-established Brixen City Pharmacy delivers medicines using an eye-catching blue electric cargo bike. The bike handles even heavy loads with ease. The best part is that, for Florian, the delivery trips don’t feel like work, but rather like a refreshing break in the fresh air, right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the working day.