gmb45
22nd May, 2009, 03:33 AM
http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/members/gmb45/albums/smilies/968-eco-bike-682-808873a.jpg
YOU want to junk the car, but you're just too lazy to cycle.
Then this might just be the answer - the world's fastest electric bike.
Already hugely popular in China, electric bikes are now available in the UK.
Strict rules governing vehicles in the UK mean they can not go faster than 15 mph on a public road or they will require road tax.
So although a special 'boost' button is available to rocket you to a top speed of 25 mph on private property, it won't be legal to use it in traffic.
The battery takes five hours to charge - which the manufacturers boast will cost a grand total of 7p - and let's you cover 20 miles.
The catch is that the new creation will cost ?2,000 - which is not far from the cost of a new scooter. It is not the lightest either - with a lithium ion battery weighing in at 6kg.
But the creators of the A2B bikes believe they will help encourage consumers to have more thought for the environment.
There's no doubt that it will turn heads. It's radical design and virtually noiseless motor caused more than one pedestrian to do a double take in our road test.
Already 21 million bikes have been sold in China in the last year and they are becoming rapidly more popular in Germany.
Last week Charlie Lloyd, cycling development officer from the London Cycling Campaign, said he was sceptical about its use in London
He said: 'The disadvantage is that you have to charge it and the battery tends not to last very long if you go fast and push them hard.
They are also much heavier than a bike and three or four times as expensive.'
There was confusion over whether the new bicycle would comply with UK legislation because of the 'boost' button - giving it a top speed of 20mph.
Simon Brimley.the service manager for Ultra Motor UK said yesterday: "This type of transport is still in its infancy and will get more and more powerful as it goes on. In just the same way as electric cars will develop."
YOU want to junk the car, but you're just too lazy to cycle.
Then this might just be the answer - the world's fastest electric bike.
Already hugely popular in China, electric bikes are now available in the UK.
Strict rules governing vehicles in the UK mean they can not go faster than 15 mph on a public road or they will require road tax.
So although a special 'boost' button is available to rocket you to a top speed of 25 mph on private property, it won't be legal to use it in traffic.
The battery takes five hours to charge - which the manufacturers boast will cost a grand total of 7p - and let's you cover 20 miles.
The catch is that the new creation will cost ?2,000 - which is not far from the cost of a new scooter. It is not the lightest either - with a lithium ion battery weighing in at 6kg.
But the creators of the A2B bikes believe they will help encourage consumers to have more thought for the environment.
There's no doubt that it will turn heads. It's radical design and virtually noiseless motor caused more than one pedestrian to do a double take in our road test.
Already 21 million bikes have been sold in China in the last year and they are becoming rapidly more popular in Germany.
Last week Charlie Lloyd, cycling development officer from the London Cycling Campaign, said he was sceptical about its use in London
He said: 'The disadvantage is that you have to charge it and the battery tends not to last very long if you go fast and push them hard.
They are also much heavier than a bike and three or four times as expensive.'
There was confusion over whether the new bicycle would comply with UK legislation because of the 'boost' button - giving it a top speed of 20mph.
Simon Brimley.the service manager for Ultra Motor UK said yesterday: "This type of transport is still in its infancy and will get more and more powerful as it goes on. In just the same way as electric cars will develop."