BB - Wooden Bicycle, This is the meeting between Guillaume and Sébastien, an engineer and an entrepreneur who decided to create wooden bicycles together, made in France without compromising on either performance or durability!

We'll tell you more 👇

For this article, we interviewed Sébastien Denis, 46 years old and co-founder of BB - Wooden Bicycle.

Contact : 06.37.05.18.81

sdenis@les-entrepreneurs-sociaux.fr

To begin this reading, our article was written by Marine in February 2025 at the same time as the launch of the BB - Bicyclette en Bois fundraising campaign.

So first of all, if you dream of riding in style, Take a look at their project on Ulule.

BB - Wooden Bicycle : the story of a wooden bicycle born during lockdown

It is Guillaume Dumont, professor at an engineering school, who initiated the project.

He is on the right in this photo. 👇

👉 The project was born during the first lockdown.

Passionate about woodworking and having already made furniture at home, Guillaume wanted to take on the challenge: create a wooden bicycle.

Then, he was supported by structures that support innovation and business creation, which allowed him to develop his bicycle.

He needed someone to accompany him on this project, and that someone is Sébastien 💡

“We were put in touch at the end of 2023 through a public innovation support agency that has a program to connect project leaders and entrepreneurs.” explain Sébastien, who was originally in charge of incubators and who had wanted to create his own company for a long time.

He adds: “I joined this project because it had a positive impact, with a strong social and environmental dimension. Plus, I use my bike every day, so everything was perfect.”

Their initial idea was to manufacture their bicycle in an eco-responsible way. This is a crucial issue because, as Sébastien explains, “We know that cycling is good for the planet, but we rarely ask ourselves whether the manufacturing of the bicycle is also good for the planet.”

What better solution than wood?! Plus, it simplifies the production and assembly process and makes it easier to relocate production to France. It's worth noting that a wooden frame emits 25 times less CO2 than an aluminum frame.

Just to clarify, BB - Bicyclette en Bois also works in partnership with a ESAT (Establishments or services providing assistance through work).

What makes them unique is:

Their concept:

• Ecological: “We want to make bikes with the lowest possible carbon footprint and make Made in France.

• Engaged : “When we motorized our bikes, we looked at French motor manufacturers and chose a partner who shared our values, so we thought of Virvolt.” Like us, the BB team believes that a bicycle should remain simple and repairable for life!

• Style : Using wood allows for an aesthetically pleasing and original bicycle. ✨

Unlike other bikes on the market, The frame, but also the fork, are entirely made of wood.

The first wooden models

Their very first model is a "senior executive", Available in both manual and electric versions. They have two equipment levels:

• the standard, available only in the muscular version.

• the “bike commute”, Like the standard model but with additional options for an optimal urban experience (dynamo lighting, aluminum mudguards, and a robust luggage rack). It is available in both muscular And en electric.

More details on Virvolt electric assistance 👇 :

"Next, we'll try to develop new models for to meet the needs of a wider clientele. " - Explain Sébastien.

For now, they have a size M which corresponds to the standard height (between 1.65m and 1.85m), and they will later expand to sizes S and L. Furthermore, they plan to design a unisex frame with a slanted top tube, which would be better suited to women, for example. Everyone will have the right to their own wooden bicycle! 🚴♂️

To support the project, participate in their fundraising campaign! 🤝

Right now, BB - Bicyclette en Bois is launching Pre-sales on Ulule via crowdfunding.

👉 Why launch this campaign?

Sébastien explains...

"To be able to have all the equipment and bicycle components like the motor and battery for example, we need to have partners, the most local ones possible of course!!"🌱

If these partners want a producer price on wheels, saddles, and handlebars, we have minimum order quantities. A significant amount is needed to build up this stock. That's why we chose the Ulule crowdfunding campaign to launch an initial production run of 30 to 50 bikes.

“It’s also a good way to mobilize a community around cycling and the project.”

Virvolt, The ideal partner?

Having an electric-assist version wasn't their priority, but it's hard to do without one in 2025. After several discussions at trade shows, they decided to launch an electric version.

They then sought a partner for electric assistance, a partner with the same values ​​as themselves, who planned to manufacture as much as possible in France. Exactly like Virvolt!

Sébastien adds: "We were looking for this simplicity and compatibility with our bike. Thanks to the motor installed on the rear wheel, o"Nothing changes, we just add your solution to ours."

"We chose the rear wheel motor, therefore the Virvolt 750 Kit ⚡ "For our electric version, because it's easier to adapt to our frame."

Any feedback from Guillaume?

👉 “Guillaume was extremely satisfied with the responsiveness of the electric assistance. There was just the right level of help at the right time.” Thanks to the torque sensor, without a doubt!

"What's great about electric assistance is that you can combine tradition with modernity."

A photo of Guillaume and Sébastien with part of our team after the first electrical test ⚡

Sébastien's little anecdote🚴♀️

Every summer, Sébastien goes on a cycling trip with his daughter.

Last summer, he chose the Wooden Bicycle, and at every stop, people would stop them to tell them how beautiful the bike was and ask where to buy it. His daughter acted as their salesperson during the road trip! 🧳

What future for BB - Wooden Bicycle?

To put it simply, their objectives are: 💪

• The goal is to demonstrate that there's a market for wooden city and leisure bikes and to market the most affordable option available. Currently, there are wooden bikes, mostly gravel bikes, but they are quite expensive. “Our first model is priced at 2,000 euros, while most models on the market are in the 5,000 to 10,000 euro range.” he said.
• Selling between 100 and 150 bikes in the first year, then 300 from the second year onwards, without neglecting the quality of the bikes and the production line, of course!

In short...

BB - Bicyclette en Bois (Wooden Bicycle) is an eco-friendly, socially responsible, and stylish bike that was created during the first lockdown. Its frame and fork are made entirely of wood, a sustainable material that reduces its carbon footprint while offering an elegant design. According to Sébastien, people who test the bike expect a simple gadget with a few imperfections, but they are quickly surprised by its smoothness and precision.

📌 Sébastien and Guillaume also plan to organize sessions at Paris (dates to be determined) and in Lyon (from Friday, March 7 to Sunday, March 9).