Using instead of owning: how subscriptions have taken over our everyday lives.
01.08.2025 | Innovation
Subscriptions are so on-trend. Find out why more and more people are turning to flexible rental models – and how our Bike Abo can transform your mobility.
For many years, we associated the word “subscription” with magazines and daily newspapers. However, the advancement of digital technologies means that the subscription model has spread into nearly all areas of life.
Streaming services also helped to make the subscription model more mainstream. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have replaced their home collections of CDs and DVDs with the online products of major streaming providers – saving a lot of space. This shift reflects a fundamental trend in consumer culture: using instead of owning. This development has paved the way for innovative leasing and subscription models – and recently also in the bike sector.
Using instead of owning – the benefits
- Flexibility: Instead of making a long-term commitment to a single product, users can also take out subscriptions for a shorter period of time, cancel them at short notice, or change them as needed. The contract terms are usually shorter than with leasing models.
- Spreading out the costs: Subscriptions give users regulated access to high-quality products with monthly instalments, instead of a larger initial investment.
- Up-to-date: The products offered through subscription models are always up to date, meaning that users benefit from the latest developments.
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Wide range of services: Maintenance, insurance and dealing with depreciation are included in the purchase. In subscription models, these services are often already included in the monthly rate.
This trend is also evident in the mobility sector. Specialist providers and classic vehicle leasing companies are offering subscription models. They allow their customers to use vehicles for a few months or years at a time for a flat monthly payment. These models combine mobility with all-inclusive services, including delivery, insurance, and maintenance.
The Riese & Müller Bike Abo
In the bike sector, the Riese & Müller Bike Abo is at the forefront. “Our subscription model is in response to many customers’ request for greater flexibility and an all-inclusive package,” Katharina Laufs, Project Manager for Concepts & Innovation at Riese & Müller, explains. “The Bike Abo allows customers to use high-quality e-bikes and cargo bikes without having to pay high initial costs and make a long-term commitment. This also benefits the dealer, who takes over the service and sales process, gaining new customers.”
The subscribers can choose from a range of different models designed to meet different needs. “The flexible minimum subscription term allows users to choose the perfect contract length, depending on their personal circumstances and other considerations,” Katharina explains. “What is more, users can buy out the e-bike they are using through the subscription at any time, with 90% of what they have already paid going towards the purchase price.” Another benefit is the comprehensive insurance that applies throughout the entire term of the subscription. The service package provided includes inspections, repairs, and fully comprehensive insurance, which also covers theft and wear.
The Riese & Müller Bike Abo at a glance● Various models available; e-bikes and cargo bikes
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Rent a premium e-bike with a flexible contract term and pay monthly – repairs and service included.
Sustainability and resource efficiency through subscription models
Usually, e-bikes that have been procured through a subscription model are used more intensively, as they are used by different people over a long period of time – this conserves resources. Regular maintenance and professional repairs offered as part of the subscription can also extend the e-bike’s service life. Last, but not least, the subscription model simplifies the transition to e-bikes by allowing users to try them out in their everyday lives, without having to make a large investment up front. This can contribute to a reduction in the number of people driving cars.
Conclusion
Subscriptions offer consumers a lot of flexibility. The Riese & Müller Bike Abo shows where this trend is leading: It combines modern mobility solutions with a well thought-out service concept that builds on both sustainability and the user experience. Our Bike Abo lets you ride into a more flexible and eco-friendly future – if you wish to.