Ford E-Bike
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.
Waiting for the specs -BUMP!
Volkswagen electric bike, folded
Here you go:
That thing is a farce.
“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.
What’s the price? And where can I get one?
This is more like something that would sell.
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!!!
If they actually sold this bike, Ford would probably offer fenders. If not:
Planet Bike Hardcore Fender Set ATB (60mm,Black)
Yes, a Presidential reading and play room!
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.
duh...mo-peds were out like 40 years ago.
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.
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/#
(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...
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.
Which begs the question: Why are they acting as if this is a new concept?(Rhetorical question, I know the answer).
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.
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...
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