Benno

Benno Bikes at Clever Cycles

Benno Baenziger has been shaping the way people ride bikes for over 30 years. Born in Berlin and drawn to California’s creative energy, heco-founded Electra Bicycle Company in 1993 and introduced Flat Foot Geometry—a simple but radical shift that made bikes more approachable, comfortable, and fun. That design sparked millions of new riders and changed the industry.

After Electra was sold, Benno stepped away. But not for long.

In 2015, he launched Benno Bikes with a new mission: build ebikes people actually use every day—not just ride once in a while.

The Birth of Etility®

Benno saw something the rest of the bike industry ignored: standard ebikes are fun but limited, and full-size cargo bikes can be too bulky for daily life. So he designed something in between—a new category where agility meets real utility.

He called it Etility®:

Enough power and cargo capacity to replace short car trips, wrapped in a bike that still feels playful when you’re riding without a load.

This isn’t just another lifestyle ebike. It’s thoughtful design backed by decades of rider-first thinking.

Talk to People Who Actually Ride These Bikes

At Clever Cycles, we don’t just sell bikes—we ride the bikes we sell. When you reach out, we connect you with a staff member who actually uses the model you’re interested in. Not sure which bike that is? We know how to ask the right questions to narrow it down fast and clearly.

You won’t get a script—you’ll get real-world insight.

Whether you’re picking your first folding bike or replacing your car with an electric cargo bike, we’ll help you choose something you’ll look forward to ride every day.