Kwiggle

Kwiggle is a German folding bicycle brand built around an unusually compact, hand-luggage-sized folder. The bike was developed and patented in the 2010s by mechanical engineer Karsten Bettin, originally conceived as a saddle-less standing bike before evolving into the production model sold today. It is manufactured in Hannover, Germany, and marketed internationally through the brand's own online shop. The defining feature of the Kwiggle is its folded size of 55 × 40 × 25 cm, which the brand describes as the world's most compact serially produced folding bike. This allows it to fit under seats in buses and trains, in airline hand luggage, and in small car trunks. The bike weighs between 9.5 and 10.5 kg, rolls on 12-inch wheels, supports riders from roughly 1.35 m to 1.95 m tall, and is offered with 1, 3, or 6 gears. A distinctive patented laterally swinging saddle lets the rider sit upright while the hips rock with each pedal stroke, a posture the brand compares to walking and claims is easier on the back, hips, and knees than a conventional bicycle. Kwiggle positions itself as a premium, engineering-led mobility product rather than a mass-market bike. The company emphasizes German manufacturing, ISO-tested stability, a 5-year frame guarantee, and a direct-to-consumer sales model with DHL/DPD delivery, a 14-day test-ride window for EU customers, and a discount for bank-transfer prepayment. It also participates in Germany's JobRad bike-leasing scheme, letting employers and employees lease a Kwiggle with tax advantages. The brand's core promise is multimodal commuting freedom: a bike compact enough to be taken everywhere without extra fees or inconvenience, yet fast and stable enough to ride like a full-size city bike. Kwiggle remains a niche, privately held brand focused on urban commuters, travelers, and riders seeking an upright, back-friendly cycling position.

Kwiggle was developed and patented in the 2010s by mechanical engineer Karsten Bettin. According to Bettin, the design target was an airline hand-luggage size; because no single standard existed, he fixed the folded dimensions at 55 × 40 × 25 cm. The original concept was a saddle-less standing bike, which later evolved into the production model with a patented laterally swinging saddle. The bike is manufactured in Hannover, Germany, and is described as the world's smallest serially produced folding bike. The brand sells directly to consumers through its own online shop, offering DHL/DPD delivery, a 5-year frame guarantee, a 14-day test-ride period for EU customers, and a prepayment discount. It also partners with JobRad to offer tax-advantaged company bike leasing in Germany.

• Kwiggle folding bike developed and patented by Karsten Bettin in the 2010s.

• Original saddle-less standing-bike concept evolved into the production model with a laterally swinging saddle.

• Manufacturing established in Hannover, Germany.

• JobRad partnership launched for tax-advantaged company bike leasing.

Premium, engineering-led ultra-compact folding bike for multimodal urban commuting and travel; made in Germany with a focus on upright, back-friendly riding and hand-luggage portability.

• Kwiggle folding bike

  Ultra-compact folding bicycle, 55 × 40 × 25 cm folded, 9.5–10.5 kg, 12-inch wheels, 1/3/6 gears, fits riders 1.35–1.95 m, 100 kg max total weight.

1. 1Kwiggle official websitekwigglebike.com
2. 2Kwiggle JobRad pagekwigglebike.com
3. 3Kwiggle upright riding pagekwigglebike.com
4. 4Kwiggle on Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Kwiggle on German Wikipediade.wikipedia.org