04/07/2025 - The bicycle is an object that, almost like no other, reveals and expresses design decisions. Every aspect of its geometry, from the frame angle to the wheelbase, as well as other components, is visible, integrated into a structure that leaves no room for the superfluous. Lightweight yet durable, mechanical yet human-powered, the bicycle is a reflection of design intention in terms of mobility, material exploration, and formal clarity, where engineering and design must come together harmoniously, and where innovation is not an abstraction but is tested through daily use.
And so, in this context, the Lemmo Zero is not a mere product but a study in "integrated micro-mobility". Designed by Zanzotti Industrial Design in collaboration with Berlin-based Lemmo, the foldable e+bike was created to address the realities of contemporary urban life, treating portability and electrification not as added features but as foundational ones.
The folding mechanism generates the form of the Zero's carbon fiber frame, striking a balance between lightweight handling and the wear and tear of everyday use. The bicycle weighs in at 10 kg. The 2kg Smartpac battery doubles as a portable power bank. The bike adapts easily between cycling, public transportation, and travel; it is compact enough to fit into a 28-inch suitcase and is certified for air travel. The design achieves a delicate equilibrium between folded volume and cycling geometry.
The Zero integrates into NIO's 4+2 mobility ecosystem, synchronizing ride data and battery status with NIO's onboard network. The design is in keeping with that of the ET5T electric car while maintaining spatial efficiency with a dedicated in-car storage system. The concept treats the transition from car to bicycle as a continuous fluid experience within a single system, rather than an abrupt and complicated shift between modes. Similarly, it does not position electrification as a separate technological layer but rather as an embedded component.
For Zanzotti Industrial Design, Zero is a synthesis of its approach to micro-mobility: systems-oriented, materially efficient, and scalable, reframing the bicycle as an integral part of the multi-modal reality of urban transport. The office collaborates with external clients, including BMW, Deutsche Telekom, and UNU Motors, as well as working on limited-edition in-house objects and ongoing material and manufacturing research projects. Their focus on electrified vehicles has led ZANZOTTI INDUSTRIAL DESIGN to become a full-service leader in the sector, from concept development to production collaboration.
