A Planet-friendly adventure.
With a headquarters in Nice, the spiritual home of French cycling, Café du Cycliste is flanked by the ocean on one side and guarded by mountains on the other. The beauty of the Côte d’Azur and Alpes Maritimes is at our door. As an apparel company we champion journeys in the great outdoors using research, design and technology to create products that enable us to go further. Cycling as a lifestyle empowers people physically and mentally and allows us to connect with nature – a key force for changing behaviours and reducing carbon emissions. And this is the equation to solve – we need technology to innovate, but technology must work more harmoniously with the planet and use natural resources accordingly.
‘The more time I started to spend outdoors, the more I looked to protect it. I’ve been fortunate to be able to build a company where everybody shares that perspective.’
Rémi CLERMONT (founder)
Recycliste.
Our new platform for buying and selling second-hand apparel. Our designs are built to last over thousands of hours of rides and adventures, and now they can live even longer. The platform is launching first at home in France and we are working hard to make it available to the rest of the world later this year.
Discover.
Eco-conscious culture.
It’s undeniable the climate crisis requires immediate action. A dangerously hot topic, every business involved in manufacturing – from sole traders to industrial behemoths – has a responsibility to minimise environmental errors and maximise care for the planet. The power and transport sectors play a big role here, and this is where carbon needs to be cut most immediately.
Finding the balance.
Café du Cycliste’s ambition is to achieve carbon neutrality. Since 2009 we’ve used factories as close to Nice as possible and Europe makes up just under 80% of Café du Cycliste production and textile suppliers. We’ve consistently increased our use of recycled yarns and all our distribution packaging is now compostable and recyclable.
However, putting a halt on our use of carbon fuels (directly or indirectly) or large quantities of water to produce garments, can not happen overnight. Along with other brands in the sportswear field, we must work to reduce impact and use our platform to encourage others to do the same. Cycling as a mode of transport and lifestyle is certainly progressive, but as an industry we can do more.
From A to B-Corp.
In August 2024 we became a certified B Corporation™ – a validation of the hard work we’ve put in over many years to become a more sustainable business. We’re always looking hard for ways to improve our products over their entire life cycle – from the consideration of ecological principles in all aspects of design and the careful choice of fabrics, to our repair patches, our Recycliste second-hand clothing platform and our upcycled products. And we’re also very pleased to be recognised for our culture, our sourcing and supply chains, and our focus on the so-called ‘triple bottom line’ of people, planet and profit. We believe in B Lab’s vision to transform the global economy to benefit all people. We know that our actions as individuals and as a company must positively impact the workers, customers and communities we touch, as well as the environment, and we’ll strive to continue to improve our focus on the so-called ‘triple bottom line’ of people, planet and profit.
Power to the People.
Of course, we would be nothing as a company without the people who work here. As an organisation our investment in the welfare of employees also has an impact on society and the immediate environment. Equality is crucial, mental wellbeing essential, and education critical to our collective progress. Diversity and inclusion is also something we continuously look to build upon. None of our employees travel to work by car (24% use public transport and 76% cycle).
Product Excellence.
We ensure every product is designed to be as durable as possible to minimise waste, and constructed using the most low-impact means possible. This involves increasing the percentage of up-cycled materials and recycled yarns/fabrics used in our products. We’ve also appointed a CSR project manager, and an external auditor to verify that our manufacturing partners and suppliers meet our standards of ethics, accountability and sustainability. We continue to use factories close to home, whenever possible.
1% for the Planet.
Café du Cycliste is a member of 1% for the Planet®, donating 1% of our turnover to nonprofit environmental groups and charities. Founded by two fishing friends and businessmen in 2002, 1% for the Planet seeks to strengthen the fight against the erosion of natural habitats, and educate about the climate crisis. With over 5000 members, the project’s vision is to be ‘all together for our planet’. Our donations directly fund organisations and NGOs based in France.
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The time is now.
The Time is Now.
WHAT WE’VE DONE
🏁 Appointed CSR project manager and private auditor.
🏁 100% biodegradable mail-packaging.
🏁 0% employees travelling by car (24% public transport | 76% bicycle).
🏁 Fresque du Climat workshop for all employees.
🏁 Donating to 1% For the Planet.
🏁 Achieved B-Corporation status.
GOALS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND
👉 Certify factories and supply-chain.
👉 Decrease use of virgin materials.
👉 Carbon footprint assessment including fabrication of our materials.
👉 Promote good practice in our offices and stores (energy assessment).
👉 Promote cycling within our communities.
👉 Partnerships with social enterprises.
