Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A FORD BICYCLE THE TWO-WHEELED CONCEPT FOR THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION (Obama-maobile is unveiled)
Myfordmag.com ^ | Carrie Jones

Posted on 05/01/2012 5:31:06 PM PDT by Brilliant

With electric vehicle technology becoming more desirable to the average consumer, Ford applied its innovative design sense to the two-wheel market and created the E-Bike concept vehicle.

Unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, this sleek, cross-gender bike is powered not with gas, but by a lithium-ion battery. The drive system is subtly embedded in the 5.5-pound aluminium-and-carbon construction frame for a cool, minimalist look—perfect for the energy (and image) conscious city commuter.

Why now? More than 30 million motorized bicycles were sold globally in 2010, with an increasing market share in Europe. Because the E-Bike can also be ridden with pure muscle, the fear of running out of power far from a charging station is eliminated, giving E-Bikes the potential to become the preferred choice for short- and medium-distance destinations, replacing traditional bikes or larger cars.

“There is a synergy between car drivers and potential E-Bike users. A Ford dealer already has the potential E-Bike customer in his shop,” says Juergen Gruner, manager in Accessory Planning and Communication at Ford of Europe.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: automobiles; oil; transportation
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last
To: Brilliant

Ford E-Bike
21 posted on 05/01/2012 6:13:44 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TChad

Waiting for the specs -BUMP!


22 posted on 05/01/2012 6:16:43 PM PDT by publius911 (Formerly Publius 6961, formerly jennsdad)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant

Volkswagen electric bike


Volkswagen electric bike, folded

23 posted on 05/01/2012 6:18:41 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: publius911
Waiting for the specs

Here you go:

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35270

24 posted on 05/01/2012 6:22:54 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant
You can spot folks who rode those bikes to work -- by the stripes of mud up their backs...

That thing is a farce.

25 posted on 05/01/2012 6:24:51 PM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Islander7

“There is a synergy between car drivers and potential E-Bike users. A Ford dealer already has the potential E-Bike customer in his shop,” says Juergen Gruner, manager in Accessory Planning and Communication at Ford of Europe.

Juergen the Jerk does not understand the difficulty of talking an America out of his car and into traffic on a bike.

Good luck, JerkBoy - you are going to need it.


26 posted on 05/01/2012 6:28:55 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is necessary to examine principles."...the public interest)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: TChad

What’s the price? And where can I get one?


27 posted on 05/01/2012 6:30:21 PM PDT by Brilliant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: GladesGuru

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/IZIP-E3-Zuma-Electric-Bicycle-Electric-Cruiser-Electric-Bike-500W-Mens-/00/s/NzYzWDEwMDA=/$(KGrHqJHJDgE8fw(DlzbBPVoNrO3Ww~~60_57.JPG

This is more like something that would sell.


28 posted on 05/01/2012 6:33:51 PM PDT by ASOC (What are you doing now that Mexico has become OUR Chechnya?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant

4 wheels, 300 plus horsepower on gasoline or no deal!!

I put my bicycle with a whizzer engine on it in the trash on my 16th birthday and i won’t get on one for anyone EVER!!!


29 posted on 05/01/2012 6:34:58 PM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TXnMA
You can spot folks who rode those bikes to work -- by the stripes of mud up their backs...

If they actually sold this bike, Ford would probably offer fenders. If not:

Planet Bike Hardcore Fender Set ATB (60mm,Black)


30 posted on 05/01/2012 6:35:34 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: molson209

Yes, a Presidential reading and play room!


31 posted on 05/01/2012 6:36:35 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (Obama's record is an open charnel pit. Romney's too, but under a whitened sepulchre.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: TXnMA

As a commuter (nearly 400 miles so far this year) in Seattle, a good pair of fenders go a long way to aleviate the dreaded Brown Stripe of Discouragement.
This kind of thing would really be good in places where it DOESN”T rain every day.


32 posted on 05/01/2012 6:40:44 PM PDT by irishtenor (Everything in moderation, however, too much whiskey is just enough... Mark Twain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant

duh...mo-peds were out like 40 years ago.


33 posted on 05/01/2012 6:41:13 PM PDT by citizen (A)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant
What’s the price? And where can I get one?

From http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2011/09/22/ford-builds-bicycle/:

"Ford says it has no intention of building the E-Bike just yet..."

"Pricing for the Smart Ebike has not been announced, but existing electric bikes with the similar specifications, like those from Kettler and Optibike, can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $9,000 or more in the United States."

I'd be tempted.

34 posted on 05/01/2012 6:43:15 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Brilliant

Trek makes a bike you can buy today that has electric assist, and it looks fairly normal.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility/valencia/valencia_plus/#

I just bought one of their Allant models for commuting, and I’ve been pretty happy with it. It’s fun to ride, and has a nice retro-nerdy-functional vibe going on. I put a Brooks saddle on it to top it off.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/urban_utility/allant/allant/#


35 posted on 05/01/2012 6:44:07 PM PDT by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TChad; irishtenor
I was taking a shot at those "designers" who hype "spiffy concepts" that look sleek -- until you realize they get that sleekness by leaving off minor practicalities -- like fenders, chain guards and places to carry things (like your briefcase)...

(And before you object, I "humped a ruck" too many miles to want anything strapped onto my back while biking...)

And, if you sneer at chainguards, you have never had a pants leg ingested by a sprocket at speed...

36 posted on 05/01/2012 7:32:29 PM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: irishtenor

I can think of a few scenarios in traffic on a bike that would cause “... the dreaded Brown Stripe of Discouragement.”

And fenders wouldn’t help a bit, I assure you.


37 posted on 05/01/2012 7:39:34 PM PDT by Nik Naym (It's not my fault... I have compulsive smartass disorder.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: All
For all of you who don't know, electric bicycles have been around a long time. There are several people near me who own them. One is a 3 wheeler(or trike)and the other is a two wheel machine. They don't go far and they cost a lot. I believe Walmart sells at least one electric powered bicycle.

Which begs the question: Why are they acting as if this is a new concept?(Rhetorical question, I know the answer).

38 posted on 05/01/2012 7:50:28 PM PDT by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TXnMA
I was taking a shot at those "designers" who hype "spiffy concepts" that look sleek...

Sure, and you're right, but the purpose of this pre-production bike is just to create interest. Besides, it wouldn't be a Ford without expensive options.

39 posted on 05/01/2012 8:26:07 PM PDT by TChad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: TChad
"Besides, it wouldn't be a Ford without expensive options."

LOL!! Yep! And with Ford's "packaging" strategy, you probably would have to buy day-glo "foxtails" for the handlebar grips @ $239 each -- to get the package which includes a back fender...

40 posted on 05/01/2012 8:41:27 PM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson