YikeBike

The YikeBike mini-farthing is a type of folding electric motorbike released on 2 September 2009 at Eurobike, going into production mid 2010. It weighs 11.2 kilograms (24.7 lb) and when folded, it is small enough to fit in a carry bag, so it can be transported in an urban bus. The YikeBike was invented by Grant Ryan and designed by a team in New Zealand over 5 years.[1]

Characteristics

The YikeBike looks like a mini version of a penny farthing (mini-farthing). The YikeBike folds to 6×23.6×23.6 inches (150×600×600 millimetres) and weighs 24.6 lb (11.2 kilograms), so it can be carried around.

The vehicle has no chain, pedals, gear box, mechanical brake, cables or levers. These functions are provided by a 0.2 kW (0.27 hp) electric motor and controller. The YikeBike has regenerative electronic anti-skid brakes. There are also built-in lights, indicators and horn for safety.

Media appearances

In September 2009, YikeBike was launched at EUROBIKE in Germany.

YikeBike was featured in the Daily Mail, where it was test-driven by journalist Paul Harris.[2]

YikeBike was ranked 15th on Time magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2009 list.[3]

YikeBike featured on Discovery Channel's Daily Planet show.[4]

YikeBike featured on A&E's Storage Wars. A yikebike was found in a storage locker in Season 4's Episode 2 (Series show #74, The Young and the Restless).

Stephen Fry tested the YikeBike in season 1, episode 1 of Stephen Fry's 100 Greatest Gadgets

Specifications

Original model / Fusion

  • Weight: 11.2 kg (24.7 lb) / 14 kg (30.9 lb)
  • Frame: Carbon fibre composite / alloy and reinforced polymer composite
  • Price: $3,495 USD - $4,995 USD
  • Drive: Electric Brushless DC motor
  • Brakes: Electric anti-skid, regenerative
  • Battery: Lithium Manganese - 90 min re-charge
  • Speed: 23 km/h (14 mph)
  • Power: 0.2 kW (0.27 hp)
  • Range: 14 km (8.7 mi)
    28 km (17 mi), 42 km (26 mi) - with additional battery pack/s
  • Fold size: Compact 43 litres (1.5 cubic feet)
  • Fold time: Under 10 seconds
  • User height limits: 163–193 cm (64–76 in)
  • Wheels: 20 in (508 mm) front and 8 in (203 mm) back (rear)
  • Weight limit: 100 kg (220 lb)
  • Lights: Hi-vis built in LED[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kiwi Inventor Gives Bicycle Radical Redesign". Voxy. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  2. ↑ Harris, Paul (September 2009). "Riding high: Bike enthusiast develops electric penny-farthing that travels up to 13mph.". Daily Mail (London).
  3. ↑ "The YikeBike : 50 Best Inventions of 2009". Time Magazine. November 2009.
  4. ↑ "YikeBike featured on Discovery Channel's Daily Planet show.". Discovery Channel. December 2009.
  5. ↑ http://www.yikebike.com/faq/full-spec-sheet

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.