Electric Bikes - Volkswagen rolls out foldable 'Bik.e' electric bicycle concept

Volkswagen rolls out foldable 'Bik.e' electric bicycle concept
By Donald Melanson Apr 29th 2010
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/28/volkswagen-bik-e-replaces-spare-tire-with-electric-mobility-devi/

Well, it looks like it's the season for automakers to show off electric bicycle concepts, with Volkswagen now following Lexus' lead with its own "Bik.e" concept. Unlike Lexus' hybrid concept, this one is a full-fledged electric bicycle (sans pedals), and it boasts a few innovations of its own, not the least of which is that it's able to fold up and fit where you'd normally store a spare tire. It's also apparently able to be charged using your car's DC current in a pinch in addition to a standard AC outlet at home, and it promises to deliver a range of 20 kilometers on a full charge, along with a top speed of 20 kilometers per hour. What's more, it seems like Volkswagen is actually looking at commercial possibilities for the Bik.e, although it's not making any firm commitments just yet. Head on past the break for a quick look at the bike in action, and some dancing.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/04/vw-bike-04-29-2010.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJUx8W4t360&feature=player_embedded

Volkswagen rolls out foldable 'Bik.e' electric bicycle concept
By Donald Melanson Apr 29th 2010

Well, it looks like it's the season for automakers to show off electric bicycle concepts, with Volkswagen now following Lexus' lead with its own "Bik.e" concept. Unlike Lexus' hybrid concept, this one is a full-fledged electric bicycle (sans pedals), and it boasts a few innovations of its own, not the least of which is that it's able to fold up and fit where you'd normally store a spare tire. It's also apparently able to be charged using your car's DC current in a pinch in addition to a standard AC outlet at home, and it promises to deliver a range of 20 kilometers on a full charge, along with a top speed of 20 kilometers per hour. What's more, it seems like Volkswagen is actually looking at commercial possibilities for the Bik.e, although it's not making any firm commitments just yet. Head on past the break for a quick look at the bike in action, and some dancing.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/04/vw-bike-04-29-2010.jpg

This is really just a concept vehicle that may well never be manufactured. If VW goes forward with an e-bike, I suspect it will look different; to qualify as an e-bike in most countries (including the US) it's going to have to be capable of being pedaled.

If VW goes forward with an e-bike, I suspect it will look different; to qualify as an e-bike in most countries (including the US) it's going to have to be capable of being pedaled.
Yes, but it looks like the Yike Bike folks (http://yikebike.com/) plan to go into production with an e-bike sans pedals. I presume they'll initially target markets where those are already legal and then seek to get legislation passed in additional markets, like the Segway folks did in some areas of the US.

Yes, but it looks like the Yike Bike folks (http://yikebike.com/) plan to go into production with an e-bike sans pedals. I presume they'll initially target markets where those are already legal and then seek to get legislation passed in additional markets, like the Segway folks did in some areas of the US.

The yike bike isn't street-legal anywhere; it's going to be an expensive toy for a very few people who are going to have to ride it inside or on private property (or risk getting ticketed for trying to ride it on a public street). I really don't expect to see the yike bike selling well enough to warrant a very long production run. I will say it's designers have done quite a good job of continuing to post threads on it in various forums. However, it's just not a practical tool and it's price is too high for most people to buy as a toy.