Those who are well-informed are able to judge
At a time when information is ubiquitous but the truth is increasingly fragmented, journalism faces a fundamental challenge. Flattering storytelling, PR-driven product presentations and influencer opinions exploited for commercial gain obscure our view of what really matters. When unverified claims and perceived facts gain the upper hand, it is not only the individual’s purchasing decisions that suffer – trust in reliable reporting as a whole is eroded.
Independent specialist journalism therefore fulfils a social function: it provides verifiable facts rather than opinions, identifies strengths and weaknesses without regard to commercial interests, and equips people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Those who are well-informed can make judgements. Those who can make judgements take part. That is precisely the foundation of a democratic society.
However, independence does not arise in a vacuum. It requires a solid foundation. That is why Delius Klasing Verlag’s cycling publications – from TOUR to BIKE and MYBIKE – rely on the most effective counterbalance to human subjectivity: scientific measurement methods, which we apply in our in-house test laboratories and in collaboration with certified testing institutes. We test, measure and analyse – the end result is data, figures and facts that cannot be misled by clever marketing or aesthetic superficiality. This rigour in measurement is our promise to our readers. By placing ourselves unconditionally at the service of our readership, we provide guidance – free from economic pressure and independent of the favour of individual manufacturers.
A variety of perspectives
However, specialist media do not limit themselves to data and test reports. As Europe’s most widely read cycling magazines, TOUR, BIKE and MYBIKE make a contribution that goes far beyond product reviews: they serve and promote the diversity of our society.
Democracy thrives on debate, controversy and exchanging perspectives that look beyond one’s own horizons. In our reports, we give a voice to a wide variety of personalities; we tackle contentious issues surrounding the mobility transition and do not shy away from debate. When we report on cycling trips to distant lands and foreign cultures, we broaden horizons – we tell stories of people who overcome borders, of cycling culture phenomena around the world, and of the unifying power of a shared passion.
This diversity of perspectives is not merely an afterthought – it is pluralism in action. It demonstrates how a free press creates space for dialogue, breaks down prejudices and enriches cultural coexistence.
The bicycle makes mobility accessible to all
The fact that the bicycle, of all things, is at the heart of our reporting lends this task a particular depth. The bicycle is far more than just a piece of sports equipment or a means of transport – it is a direct means of personal freedom and social participation.
The bicycle democratises mobility. It enables people to get around independently, regardless of wealth, social status or expensive infrastructure. It opens up opportunities for social advancement, provides low-threshold access to education and work, and remains one of the fairest forms of transport there is. By supporting this mode of transport, scrutinising it critically and helping to shape it with conviction, we are strengthening a culture that combines self-determination with sustainability.
Ask critical questions, investigate independently, report without restriction
Free media are the nervous system of a free society. The ‘Democracy Needs Many Voices’ initiative reminds us that freedom of the press and journalistic independence cannot be taken for granted – they must be re-established and defended every day.
Whether in the world of politics or in specialist journalism: freedom is evident wherever questions are asked critically, matters are examined independently and reporting is unrestricted. We investigate so that you can form your own opinion. Without whitewashing, without compromise – and out of a deep conviction in a transparent society.
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief