What VIRAGE Bikes does

VIRAGE Bikes is a French manufacturer of electrically assisted bicycles (vélos à assistance électrique) headquartered in Besançon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, founded in 2014 and operating under Groupe Virage. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes a portfolio of 13 e-bike models spanning urban commuters (URBAIN, CITADIN 24/26), folding bikes (PLIANT), work/cargo bikes (TAFFEUR, TAXY/TAXY+), and premium/long-range models (VIRAGE, HYDRO/HYDRO S, ZEN/ZEN S, FLEURON), with retail prices ranging from approximately 2,249 to 2,599 EUR. Core technology centers on third-party motor and battery systems — Bafang (M420 central motor) and Aikema (TSDz2/TSDz5 hub motors, AKM100SX rear hub) — paired with lithium-ion battery packs from 405 Wh to 672 Wh, plus a proprietary BBS cadence sensor on the folding model. Components are sourced from established e-bike suppliers rather than developed in-house.

Virage operates a hybrid go-to-market combining consumer sales through an exclusive network of authorized physical dealers across France (with no direct-to-consumer online sales) and direct B2B sales to enterprise clients, leisure/tourism operators, and public sector entities (collectivités). Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales to consumers, recurring corporate leasing programs (employee bike leasing at a target price of 1 euro/day, 36-month LOA-style function bike leases, and shared fleet bikes), short-term rental and lease-to-own options for leisure operators, and turnkey fleet procurement contracts for municipalities and regional authorities. Named enterprise clients include Groupe Chopard, Keolis, and Novotel; named public sector clients include Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, Département du Doubs, Côte d'Or, Val de Drôme, Ginko, and Bièvre Isère Communauté. The company positions itself on French manufacturing heritage, domestic after-sales service ("SAV FRANÇAIS"), and tax-optimized mobility-budget integration for corporate clients.

Name

VIRAGE Bikes

Legal name

Virage Bikes

Website

https://viragebikes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VIRAGE Bikes is a French e-bike manufacturer founded in 2014 in Besançon, selling 13 electric bicycle models through an exclusive French dealer network and direct B2B fleet solutions to enterprises, leisure operators, and public sector entities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Bicycles

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-Bikes & Electric Bicycles (CRACASAA), E-Bike Retail (CRAMAHAE), Bike Accessories Retail (Lights, Locks, Racks, Bags) (CRAMAHAD)

Keywords

• Electric bicycles
• E-bike manufacturing
• Corporate bike leasing
• Urban mobility solutions
• Fleet management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Besançon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Electric Bicycle Sales: Direct sales of electric bicycles to individual consumers through a network of physical dealers across France. Models include TAXY+, TAXY, URBAIN, TAFFEUR, PLIANT, VIRAGE, HYDRO, HYDRO S, ZEN, ZEN S, FLEURON, CITADIN 24, and CITADIN 26, with prices ranging from approximately 2,249 euros (URBAIN) to 2,599 euros (TAXY+). Revenue is generated on a one-time transaction basis per unit sold.
2. Corporate Fleet Solutions (Employee Bike Leasing): Virage offers three B2B fleet solutions: (1) Employee bike leasing (velo collaborateur) at a target price of 1 euro/day per employee, with cost shared between employer and employee, combining with mobility subsidies; (2) Function bike (velo de fonction) on a 36-month LOA-style lease with optional purchase at end of contract; (3) Shared bike fleet (velo de partage) for general employee use. Additional services include insurance, maintenance, GPS trackers, safety equipment, and bike customization with company branding. These are recurring leasing and service revenue streams from enterprise clients.
3. Leisure Center Fleet Rentals and Sales: Virage provides fleet solutions to leisure centers through three models: short-term rental (up to 6 months), rental with purchase option (typically 3-year contracts), and outright purchase. Services include delivery, branding/personalization, safety equipment, and optional insurance and maintenance packages.
4. Public Sector Fleet Sales and Management: Virage sells and manages electric bike fleets for public sector entities (collectivités), including regional councils and local authorities. Solutions encompass procurement, delivery, customization, maintenance, and ongoing fleet management as part of a comprehensive turnkey service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Virage Bikes is a French manufacturer of electrically assisted bicycles (VAE) offering 13 distinct e-bike models across urban, leisure, folding, and premium segments, sold to individual consumers through an authorized dealer network and to enterprises and public sector clients through turnkey fleet solutions including employee leasing, function bikes, and shared fleet programs. The company integrates motors from Bafang and Aikema with proprietary BBS Sensor cadence technology and lithium-ion battery systems ranging from 405Wh to 672Wh.

Product overview

VIRAGE Bikes is a French electric bicycle manufacturer based in Besançon, established in 2014, offering a comprehensive portfolio of 13 distinct e-bike models alongside business-to-business fleet solutions. The product lineup includes urban commuters (URBAIN, CITADIN 24/26), folding bikes (PLIANT), cargo/work bikes (TAFFEUR, TAXY/TAXY+), and premium models (VIRAGE, HYDRO/HYDRO S, ZEN/ZEN S, FLEURON). The models utilize motors from Bafang and Aikema with battery capacities ranging from 405Wh to 672Wh. For enterprise clients, VIRAGE offers three distinct programs: employee bike leasing (vélo collaborateur), company fleet bikes (vélo de fonction), and shared bike programs (vélo de partage). Leisure centers can access short-term rentals, long-term rentals with purchase options, or direct purchases. All products are designed and supported in France with French customer service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TAXY+ High-end electric bike priced at 2,599 euros with central Bafang M420 motor (80 Nm), 594Wh battery offering 100+ km range, hydraulic Tektro disc brakes, 9-speed Shimano Alivio transmission, 700C wheels with 1.95 section tires, weighing 27 kg. Sold through the dealer network.
• TAXY Electric bike with hydraulic Tektro disc brakes, 594Wh 36V Lithium battery, 9-speed Shimano Alivio transmission, 26-inch wheels with 1.95 section tires. Positioned as a stylish and practical daily commuter.
• URBAIN Urban electric bike priced at 2,249 euros, designed for city cruising. Features Aikema TSDz5 motor (80 Nm), 700C wheels, weighing 27 kg. Positioned as a stylish and practical companion for daily city commutes.
• TAFFEUR Electric cargo/work bike with 80 Nm motor, available with 417 Wh or 630 Wh battery options. Features hydraulic disc brakes, Aikema TSDz2 motor, Shimano Cues transmission, 26-inch wheels, weighing 25 kg. Designed for working professionals and cargo use.
• PLIANT Ultra-compact folding electric bike with rear hub motor (Aikema AKM100SX, 45 Nm), 540 Wh battery, 8-speed Shimano Altus, 20-inch wheels with 2.40 section tires. Features proprietary BBS Sensor for cadence detection. Weighs 23.5 kg.
• VIRAGE Flagship electric bike with Sport Drive central motor (250W, 100 Nm), 672Wh 48V Lithium battery, 11-speed SRAM NX with 42T chainring, 27.5-inch wheels with 2.125 section tires. Weighs 26 kg. Premium performance model.
• HYDRO Electric bike with Push Drive rear hub motor (250W, 60 Nm), 405Wh battery, 8-speed SRAM X4 with 48T chainring, 26-inch wheels. Features mechanical brakes.
• HYDRO S Electric bike with 60 Nm motor and 540Wh battery. Similar design to HYDRO with enhanced battery capacity. Used in public sector fleet deployments.
• ZEN Electric bike with non-captive Eco Drive motor (250W, 80 Nm), 580Wh battery, 9-speed chain transmission with SRAM or SHIMANO options. Weighs 23.7 kg. Positioned for accessible performance.
• ZEN S Electric bike variant with white finish complementing the ZEN model line, providing an alternative color option for the same platform.
• FLEURON Premium electric bike with 100Nm motor and 624Wh battery, positioned as the flagship of the premium model range.
• CITADIN 24 Urban electric bike with 80 Nm motor, 465Wh battery, integrated gear hub transmission, suspended seatpost, V-brake rear with mechanical disc front, 7-speed Shimano Nexus. Weighs 23.7 kg. 24-inch wheels.
• CITADIN 26 Urban electric bike with 80 Nm motor and 465Wh battery, featuring 26-inch wheels and integrated transmission system. Companion to the CITADIN 24 model.
• V\u00e9lo collaborateur (Employee Bike Leasing Program) B2B employee bike leasing program where companies and employees share rental costs. Employees pay max 30% of lease, making companies eligible for corporate tax deductions. Combined with sustainable mobility allowance (Mobilit\u00e9 Durable). Targets 1 euro/day per employee pricing. Available for companies of all sizes.
• V\u00e9lo de fonction (Company Fleet Bike) B2B company fleet bike program following lease-to-own model over 36 months (LOA-style). Includes full support, maintenance options, and purchase option at contract end. Designed for company employees who need a bike for business travel.
• V\u00e9lo de partage (Shared Bike Program) B2B shared bike fleet program where bikes are not assigned to individuals but shared among employees via a key sharing system. Companies define usage conditions for business or personal trips. Suitable for companies wanting to provide flexible bike access without individual assignment.
• Location courte dur\u00e9e (Short-term Rental) for Leisure Centers Short-term bike rental service for leisure centers, up to 6 months. Includes safety accessories (helmet, lock), logo customization option, and buyout option at contract end. Designed for tourism and leisure operators needing seasonal fleet.
• Location avec option d'achat (Rental with Purchase Option) for Leisure Centers Multi-year rental program for leisure center fleets, typically 3-year contracts. Includes full catalog access, on-site delivery, logo customization, safety accessories, and optional insurance/maintenance packages. Order here to add description.
• Achat (Direct Purchase) for Leisure Centers One-time purchase option for leisure center bike fleets. Includes personalization, on-site delivery, safety accessories, with optional insurance, maintenance packages, and GPS trackers. Designed for leisure operators committing to long-term ownership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100+ km range on TAXY+ with 594 Wh battery
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Groupe ChopardminorOthers · 1 January 2024Groupe Chopard, a luxury watch and jewelry manufacturer, is listed among the enterprise clients that Virage Bikes serves through its corporate bike leasing and fleet solutions program. Virage provides electric bikes to Chopard employees as part of a sustainable employee mobility policy.
• KeolisminorOthers · 1 January 2024Keolis, a major public transport operator and mobility provider, utilizes Virage electric bikes for its employee mobility programs. This reflects Virage's reach into the transportation and transit sector for corporate fleet solutions.
• Happy's ExperienceminorOthers · 1 January 2024Happy's Experience, a leisure and experience company, is listed among Virage's enterprise clients, utilizing Virage e-bikes for employee mobility or customer-facing activities.
• AdhapminorOthers · 1 January 2024Adhap, a provider of accessibility services, uses Virage electric bikes as part of its employee mobility offerings, demonstrating Virage's reach into the accessibility and social services sector.
• Petit FilsminorOthers · 1 January 2024Petit Fils, a home care services provider, offers Virage electric bikes to its employees as a mobility benefit, illustrating how Virage's fleet solutions extend to the healthcare and home care sectors.
• NovotelminorOthers · 1 January 2024Novotel, part of the Accor hotel group, is listed as a Virage enterprise client, potentially using Virage e-bikes for guest or staff mobility at its properties.
• Département du DoubscoreOthers · 1 January 2024The Departement du Doubs (a French departmental authority) is a public sector client of Virage Bikes, purchasing electric bike fleets as part of its sustainable mobility and ecological transition initiatives for the department.
• Région Bourgogne-Franche-ComtécoreOthers · 1 January 2024The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional council is a Virage client, utilizing Virage electric bike fleets in support of regional sustainable mobility policies and ecological transition goals.
• Val de DrômecoreOthers · 1 January 2024The Val de Drôme intercommunal structure is a Virage public sector client, incorporating Virage e-bikes into its local sustainable mobility programs for employees and/or citizens.
• Côte d'OrcoreOthers · 1 January 2024The Côte d'Or departmental authority uses Virage electric bike fleets to support its sustainable mobility and environmental policies for departmental operations and citizen programs.
• GinkominorOthers · 1 January 2024Ginko, a public transport and mobility network (affiliated with Grand Besançon Métropole), incorporates Virage electric bikes into its multimodal mobility offerings, possibly for last-mile connectivity or staff use.
• BafangcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Bafang, founded in 2003, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of electric motor systems for bicycles. Virage integrates Bafang components including the M420 central motor (80 Nm) and 594 Wh batteries into models such as the TAXY and TAXY+. Bafang operates in over 60 countries and is known for its BBS02 and M420 motor systems. Virage publishes educational content about Bafang technology on its news pages.
• AikemacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Aikema, founded in 2010, is a specialist manufacturer of electric hub motors for bicycles. Virage integrates Aikema motors including the TSDz2 and AKM100SX (rear-wheel hub motor with 45 Nm) into models such as the TAFFEUR and PLIANT, and the TSDz5/Z5 into the URBAIN model. Virage publishes educational content about Aikema technology on its news pages.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trek Bicycles: Global premium bicycle and e-bike brand with extensive dealer network across Europe. Comparable to VIRAGE on e-bike product category and dealer-led distribution, though at a much larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Shimano: Global leader in bicycle components and e-bike drive systems (STEPS), used across many European e-bike OEMs. Comparable to VIRAGE as a supplier-and-competitive-context peer given Shimano transmission components in VIRAGE models and Shimano's own e-bike systems competing with the Bafang/Aikema motors VIRAGE uses.
• Decathlon (B'Twin / Elops): France-headquartered global sporting goods retailer that designs and sells its own urban e-bike ranges (Elops, B'Twin) at scale. Overlaps with VIRAGE on French market, urban e-bike category, and price-sensitive consumers, but operates with vastly broader scale and a private-label-plus-retail model.
• Bosch eBike Systems: Dominant supplier of e-bike drive systems (motors, batteries, displays) used by many European OEMs including many French brands. Adjacent comparable to VIRAGE given its reliance on Bosch rivals (Bafang, Aikema), and shapes the competitive motor-technology landscape VIRAGE operates in.
• Giant Bicycles: World's largest bicycle manufacturer, with a broad e-bike portfolio spanning urban, road, mountain, and cargo. Overlaps with VIRAGE on the e-bike category and global dealer distribution, but with vastly greater scale and brand reach.

Direct peers

• O2Feel: French e-bike brand offering a wide lineup of city, trekking, folding, and cargo e-bikes sold through a French dealer network. Comparable to VIRAGE on geography, multi-segment portfolio, and dealer-distribution model.
• Moustache Bikes: French e-bike manufacturer with a broad model range covering urban, trekking, mountain, and cargo segments, distributed through a dealer network across France and Europe. Highly comparable to VIRAGE on product positioning, French domestic manufacturing emphasis, and target customers.
• VanMoof: European (Dutch) e-bike brand known for premium urban e-bikes with integrated technology, sold via DTC and flagship stores. Comparable to VIRAGE on the urban e-bike category and European footprint, though with a contrasting premium-DTC positioning.
• Cowboy: European (Belgian) connected e-bike brand focused on urban commuters, sold primarily direct-to-consumer. Comparable to VIRAGE on the urban e-bike category and European end market, with a contrasting DTC and connected-bike go-to-market.
• Neomouv: French e-bike manufacturer offering urban, folding, and trekking electric bikes through dealer networks. Closely comparable to VIRAGE on French manufacturing, multi-model lineup, and B2B plus B2C distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virage-bikes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VIRAGE Bikes