A self-charging electric folding bike has easily surpassed its Kickstarter funding target. Aiming for €80,000, Vello Bike+ has already raised €190,834 with 18 days still to go.
Vello has been selling three existing models of its folding bike (Urbano, Rocky and Speedster – all non-electric) for the past year through selected retailers and its online shop. The Austrian firm is now looking to produce what it claims is “the lightest and most compact electric folding bicycle in the world.”
Touted as the world's first self-charging electric folding bike, Vello Bike+ features a battery within the rear wheel hub that can be fully recharged while riding, meaning that in theory the rider need never run out of power.
Energy is harvested by braking and when riding downhill with the bike’s Integrated Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
It is said to charge automatically and continuously with motor assistance and cut-off speeds varying according to battery charge, the input from the pedals and the road’s gradient.
The firm claims it is possible to ride at up to 15mph (25km/h) for unlimited mileage in ‘self-charging mode’, or for 18-30 miles (30-50 km) in ‘turbo mode’, “without any effort.”
This is, presumably, rhetoric. We assume they mean something like ‘with minimal effort’. In the most efficient mode, the 250W motor only gives you the boost when you are riding uphill (and not on the flat). The battery recharges when you ride downhill and brake.
Weighing in at under 12kg, it’s also pretty light for an e-bike and can be folded down to suitcase size.
"It's the first self-charging electric folding bike on the market, plus lighter and more compact than any other folding bike on the market,” said Vello co-founder and designer Valentin Vodev.
theyre reporting on a new study has found that if everyone cycled just 1.6 miles (2.6 km) a day, we could reduce global carbon emissions by 686...
No cyclists will use the pavement on this stretch of road, there is a short cycle lane in the road. I would presume the thugs were walking on the...
my god, I love this heated handlebar grip idea! So well specced for the price.
Why he didn't he just plea that the sun was in his eyes, momentarily lost his attention, had undiagnosed dementia and claim madness? We need a...
The jailed ex wife often pops up talking economics.
I don't think you would make much progress if you adhere to the road.
They must be as dissapointed as we are with the outcomes from our posts, if not more
In almost every case I can think of proper cycling infra also benefits the disabled and pedestrians. (And drivers too but we don't always want to...
I rather doubt the casual reader will get to the second half of the comments of page one.
8 week suspended jail sentence. Four year Ban. Costs and victim surcharge. 20 days public service unpaid work (I assume the unpaid work). - Ouch.