CUSTOM LIFTING SOLUTION IMPROVES SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY IN DECATHLON’S CYCLE WORKSHOPS
08/06/2026 IMI Norgren (Norgren Ltd)
IMI’s Industrial Automation sector has collaborated with global sports retailer Decathlon to develop a lifting and handling solution designed to improve technician safety and increase operational efficiency in cycle workshops worldwide.
Founded in France, Decathlon has grown into one of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers, employing more than 1,500 people in the UK. As cycling continues to grow in popularity, the retailer has expanded its range of electric and cargo bikes. However, these products presented a new challenge for workshop servicing.
The challenge: heavier and more complex bikes
Modern bicycles have evolved significantly in recent years. While a traditional road bike might weigh less than 10kg, electric and cargo bikes can exceed 55kg. This increase in weight and complexity creates challenges for technicians responsible for servicing and maintenance.
Manual handling of heavier bikes can pose safety risks and impact workshop productivity. Industry guidance also recommends mechanical assistance for loads above 15kg to reduce the risk of injury.
Decathlon found that many existing workshop lifting solutions were not suitable for the increasingly diverse range of bike frames and geometries. Cargo bikes often feature wider frames and unconventional structures that are difficult to secure using standard equipment.
To maintain high service standards while protecting technicians, Decathlon required a solution capable of safely lifting heavier bikes, adapting to non-standard frame designs and integrating easily into busy workshop environments.
Collaborative engineering approach
To address the challenge, Decathlon partnered with IMI to develop a custom electric lifting system that could be deployed across its global network of workshops.
Working closely with Decathlon’s engineering and workshop teams, IMI adopted a collaborative development approach focused on real-world operating conditions.
Over a nine-month design and testing programme, IMI engineers refined a solution based on IMI Bahr Bikelift technology. Rather than adapting an off-the-shelf product, the system was engineered specifically to accommodate the weight and geometry of modern cargo and electric bikes.
The resulting design incorporates a modular accessory system that allows technicians to quickly change configurations. This enables a single workstation to service a wide range of mobility devices, from lightweight e-scooters to heavy-duty cargo bikes.
Operational benefits
The new lifting solution is designed to deliver several operational improvements across Decathlon’s workshops.
The system can safely lift bikes weighing more than 55kg, reducing the need for manual handling and so reducing potential injury. A secure gripping mechanism, designed to accommodate non-standard frames, improves stability and safety during servicing.
Additional benefits include quieter operation thanks to a low-noise electric motor and a modular design that allows faster setup and consistent use across multiple workshop locations.
The configurable approach also reduces the need for multiple specialist tools, helping simplify workshop layouts and accelerate deployment across Decathlon’s global network.
Global scalability
Scalability was a key requirement from the outset. Decathlon needed a partner capable of supporting international deployment while maintaining consistent performance and safety standards.
IMI’s global production capabilities enabled the lifting system to be manufactured and supplied at scale. This has allowed Decathlon to move towards standardised workshop equipment, processes and training across multiple regions.
The approach has helped reduce operational risk while supporting the retailer’s continued growth in the light mobility sector.
Engineering a scalable solution
The project demonstrates how close collaboration between manufacturer and end user can deliver practical engineering solutions to emerging industry challenges.
By combining Decathlon’s understanding of workshop requirements with IMI’s expertise in motion and automation technology, the partners have created a scalable solution designed to meet the evolving needs of modern cycle servicing.
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