Cycling to the rollover wash: CycleWash
The German town of Aken recently got a bicycle wash. It is totally dedicated to washing two wheeled vehicles. Our German colleagues of Carwashpro had an interview with the two owners, Dominik and Julia Groth. They explain why they choose CycleWash for the hardware.
No, it’s not the first time we have seen a bike wash in operation. But the Cologne-based company CycleWash certainly has one of the nicest bike rollovers we have ever seen.
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Dominik and Julia Groth of Veloquence were also impressed by it and decided to buy not one but two machines. They set one up on the premises of an Aral gas station in Aachen.
Carwashpro.de had an interview with them.
How did the decision come about to operate a bike wash facility?
Dominik Groth: “We wanted to sell a bicycle and clean it beforehand. We looked for a provider for this on the Internet and came across CycleWash in Cologne. Managing director Sachin Kumar turned out to be so convincing that we have now bought two bike washes.”
How can bicycle customers use the facility?
Julia Groth: “We have found a location that is ideal for many cyclists. Our first bike wash facility is located right on the Vennbahn long-distance bike path on the grounds of an Aral gas station. Since June, passing cyclists have been able to try out the facility and have their bikes cleaned automatically.”
What requirements did the location of the bike wash have to meet?
No major preparations were necessary”, says Dominik Groth. ” The bike wash system does not require any special foundation, the water circuit is closed, so that no water inflow is necessary. The service station operator only had a 400V line laid. Thus we are theoretically even mobile, because the bicycle washing plant is equipped with small wheels and is transportable.
“We have actually planned our second system for mobile use. We have chosen the CycleWash Mini Duo. We will set up this mobile unit at events and selected locations to present customers with an interesting and new bike wash offer. We purchased both units after determining the potential of bikes in the area and potential customers. We also brought along the staying power that such business models just need.”
How are customers reacting to the new bike wash?
Julia Groth: “Customers are very interested. Right at the beginning, we approached customers for a few hours a day right next to the bike wash. A cyclist rode by, saying he didn’t have time. A few minutes later he returned very curious and said he had to try it out now. He was immediately convinced by the bike wash and the cleaning result.”
What’s next?
Dominik Groth: “Currently we are actively looking for new cooperation partners. We are looking for attractive events or locations that have a connection to bicycles in order to present the bike wash. It is very important to us to promote demand for this service, because far too few cyclists are even aware of bicycle washing facilities. We can also very well imagine such a wash event at a car wash that is also conveniently located for bicycles. This would allow the car wash to attract more customers, and customers would have one place to go for multiple cleaning topics.”
Car wash operators and other companies interested in bike wash facilities or a cooperation are welcome to contact Dominik and Julia Groth from Veloquence GmbH.
Various models
CycleWash has various bike washes on offer. Their cheapest model is called MiniStation and it’s basically ‘a spray down station’. It can be upgraded to a covered bike wash at a later time.
The most expensive model by CycleWash is basically a professional rollover with spring-loaded brushes and a closed water circuit. Though the use of freshwater is also possible. The CycleWash Pro will set you back €35,000.
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