From railing to energy solution

The evolution of cycling - and how infrastructure requirements have changed

In the past, cycling was primarily a simple mechanical means of transport: sturdy, affordable, and low-tech. A solid bike rack, such as the classic “Viennese stand”, was sufficient for parking.
But over the years, everything changed:

• Bicycles became more advanced, durable – and therefore more valuable.
• The rise of e-bikes introduced electricity, charging electronics, and new technical demands.
• Sharing concepts, cargo bikes, and multimodal transport reshaped usage patterns – from individual bike parking to shared rental and return stations.
• Municipalities, housing associations, and employers demanded covered, secure, and smart parking and charging solutions – no longer just a rack outdoors.
• Topics like energy efficiency, photovoltaic integration, e-mobility, and sustainable urban development gained importance.
• The bicycle returned from being merely a sports device to an everyday mode of transport – especially in urban areas.

These trends were not only observed but actively embraced. What started as the delivery of traditional bike racks evolved step by step in line with the mobility transition.

Product development - milestones in transformation

• The classic bicycle rack: INNOVAMETALL began with solid, durable bicycle parking systems designed for public spaces – simple, robust, and functional.
• Canopies: As comfort and weather protection became more important, covered bike parking solutions were developed – merging function, comfort, and design.
• The safetydock system - multifunctional mobility and energy solution: The leap from simple parking to smart infrastructure. safetydock combines secure bicycle and e-bike boxes with charging technology, rental systems, parcel locker functions, and energy management.
• PV canopies & energy integration: The next step: integrating photovoltaic modules into canopies. Bicycle parking became part of the local energy infrastructure – merging mobility and energy.
• Holistic mobility and energy solutions: Today’s demand goes beyond bike stands and shelters – INNOVAMETALL delivers complete systems that connect mobility, energy, and infrastructure. Residential complexes, train stations, and park & ride sites become modern mobility and energy hubs.

What safetydock can do - your platform for mobility & energy

What began as a smart bike garage with access control has evolved into a multifunctional system covering a wide range of mobility and energy needs:

• Secure parking & charging: Lockable boxes for safe e-bike storage and charging.
• Rental & sharing services:Supports bike, cargo bike, or car sharing – with RFID or digital access and billing.
• Cargo bike stations: safetydock can also be designed for larger bikes or cargo bikes - with the appropriate box size, charging technology and access system.
• Parcel lockers/shelf systems: integration of parcel or goods lockers for contactless pick-up or drop-off.
• E-car & micro-mobility integration: Charging points for e-cars or e-scooters can be added, powered by local PV energy.
• Energy management & PV integration: Locally generated solar power is stored and distributed efficiently – enabling climate-neutral mobility.
• Booking & billing integration: Compatible with digital access and payment systems for residential, public, or transit environments.

These functions make safetydock a centralised solution: Park. Share. Charge. Manage.

35 years of bicycle infrastructure evolution

Mobility is not static – it constantly evolves. New technologies, e-mobility, sharing concepts, and digital services demand solutions that are flexible and future-oriented.

The mission: not just deliver off-the-shelf products, but create complete mobility and energy systems that ensure long-term viability. Each project is custom-tailored to its environment, planned and implemented in close cooperation with clients – to achieve maximum efficiency and sustainability on site.