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Jeep's all-terrain e-bike is available to pre-order for $5,899
If you've been eying Jeep's e-bike ever since that Super Bowl ad, you can finally spring for it... provided you have deep pockets. Jeep will start taking pre-orders for the all-terrain two-wheeler today (March 1st) for a hefty $5,899. That's not an unheard-of price when electric mountain bikes often cost as much or more, but it may be a surprise if you're used to fat tire e-bikes that cost much less.
Jeep's Super Bowl ad teases a powerful off-road electric bicycle
Companies are tripping over themselves to hawk electric vehicles at the Super Bowl, but they aren't all cars. Jeep has posted a Super Bowl ad that's primarily meant to pitch the latest Gladiator, but also includes a brief glimpse of the company's first electric bicycle, simply called the e-Bike. You hardly see any of it (Bill Murray mainly uses it to take a groundhog on a ride), but don't worry. Jeep's partner on the e-Bike, QuietKat, has published a splash page shedding more light on what the two-wheeler will entail.
Analog Motion's AMX is a light and affordable e-bike for commuters
Most electric bicycles are expensive. Like, 'you must have two grand lying around' expensive. Cheaper e-bikes exist but only a handful of manufacturers offer anything close to the $500 mark. One of the exceptions is Analog Motion, a four-person startup that crowdfunded a line of e-bikes called the AM1 last year. The range started at £499 (roughly $665) and, unsurprisingly, smashed its £25,000 goal in a single day. And, somehow, the team actually delivered on its promise and shipped hundreds of well-received bikes. Now, it's back with a second generation that promises a similar balance of performance and affordability.
Lyft's app shows bike lanes to help riders find smoother routes
Just because you can ride a bike somewhere doesn't mean you want to -- many cyclists can tell tales of braving streets that are downright dangerous to two-wheelers. You might not need an intuitive knowledge of where to ride after today, at least. Lyft has introduced bike lanes to its apps, giving you a greater chance of finding a smoother route for your bike or scooter. Any protected lanes will appear as solid green, while those that are 'just' bike-friendly will be dotted green.
Cowboy's first e-bike solves the removable battery problem
Electric bicycles usually come in two flavors: either a gorgeous two-wheeler with a non-removable battery inside the frame, out of sight, or a design-be-damned mode of transportation that has the battery stuck to its frame like a hideous torpedo. Form or function? That's the decision most prospective e-bike buyers have to make. With the Cowboy, though, there's no compromise. The Brussels-based startup has managed to crack this age-old problem with a sleek but detachable battery that slides behind the seat post. It's a neat solution that immediately elevates the bike above most of its rivals.
E-bikes are now allowed in US national parks, for better or worse
The next time you visit a National Park in the US, you can likely bring your e-bike with you. The National Park Service has expanded the use of e-bikes to allow pedal assist models on the same roads and trails as conventional bicycles so long as they cut off assistance at 28MPH. Officials contend that the policy shift could make parks more accessible and "mitigate" environmental damage while ensuring uses similar to traditional bikes.
Harley-Davidson is exploring electric bicycles
If Harley-Davidson's LiveWire is too rich for your blood, the company might have an electric two-wheeler that's decidedly more accessible. Electrek has learned that Harley unveiled a trio of pedal-assist electric bicycle prototypes at its Annual Dealer's Meeting. The bike maker was shy on just what these rides are capable of, but stressed that they'd "shine in urban environments." A single brake lever suggests they might have linked hydraulic brakes.
Google Maps gives you more ways to find Lime scooters
Google Maps is making it easier to find a Lime bike or scooter on your own terms. As of today, the Android version of Google's app (iOS is due in the "coming weeks") can help you find Lime rides in the cycling and walking tabs, not just transit -- helpful if your leisurely stroll to work suddenly becomes much more urgent. You'll get detailed info like the time to walk to a scooter, the estimated ride cost, battery range and the all-important ETA. On-foot travelers will receive suggestions for Lime rides as an alternative when it's viable.
Domino's will use e-bikes to deliver pizzas across the US
Domino's Pizza is once again adopting cutting edge delivery vehicles, although you're much more likely to see these ones in action. In the wake of successful tests, the restaurant chain is launching a US-wide e-bike delivery program that will give stores the choice of using custom Rad Power e-bikes to carry pizza. They're typical electric two-wheelers at their heart with motors that assist pedaling for 25 to 40 miles on a charge with a 20MPH top speed, but they also include front and rear insulated cargo spaces that hold a combined 12 large pizzas. A delivery person could make several stops before having to cycle back to home base.
Cannondale's electric mountain bikes offer more power for the trail
Cannondale has electrified a significant chunk of its bicycle lineup, and now it's determined to conquer the mountain biking world in earnest.
Gocycle's GX is a head-turning e-bike that folds in a flash
If you live in a bustling city like London, a folding bike is pretty darn useful. You can take it on a train, taxi or bus -- heck, even a Tube carriage if it's quiet -- then disembark and pedal to your final destination. A folding two-wheeler can also be stowed inside your apartment or office, negating the need for hefty locks or built-in location tracking. Across the British Isles, Brompton is the undisputed king of pedal-powered fold-ables. But electric fold-up bicycles? A small company called Gocycle has been making those since 2009 and is arguably the brand to beat at the moment.
Gocycle's GX ebike is a fast-folding Brompton alternative
Want an electric bicycle that also folds down for easy storage and transportation? Until now, you've had to pick between the iconic Brompton, head-turning Hummingbird and a range of capable but less stylish options from companies like Raleigh, Carrera and Tern. Today, though, there's a new challenger called the Gocycle GX, a bike that the company claims can be broken down and rolled along the floor in less than 10 seconds. That's on par with the Hummingbird and should ensure you don't cause a scene hopping out of a taxi or crowded train station.
Even bicycles have Alexa now
When I first clapped eyes on the Cybic E-Legend, I thought: "A bicycle with Alexa? What's the point?" It felt like an utterly pointless addition to a pedal-powered two-wheeler, electric or otherwise. But as I waddled around the bike at CES, I started to appreciate the concept. It can offer directions in a pinch, turn the heating on before you get home, or send a message to your family when you get stuck in traffic. Heck, you could even use it to order UberEats while you're wrapping up a weekend ride.
Lyft will 'more than triple' Citi Bike's size in $100 million deal
Lyft has just completed its acquisition of the company behind Citi Bike, and it's not wasting any time ensuring it's a force to be reckoned with in the bike sharing world. The company has struck a deal with New York City to expand Citi Bike through a $100 million investment. The plan will "more than triple" Motivate's required 12,000 bikes (it's not currently meeting that goal) to 40,000 within the next five years, and more than double the coverage area to 35 square miles. This will include a mix of conventional and pedal-assist e-bikes, and should include 12 new valet stations.
Uber lost over $1 billion in Q3 as it closes in on an IPO
Uber, according to its self-reported financials, said it lost (on a GAAP basis) $1.07 billion as it continues to invest in new areas, such as bicycles, scooters and freight shipments. The company is still growing however, as revenue rose 38 percent from a year ago to $2.95 billion. Albeit, those gains are down 51 percent from the previous quarter, meaning that overall the speed of growth is slightly down. Uber earned $12.7 billion from gross bookings, or the money it makes after paying commissions to drivers and delivery people, which is up 34 percent from the previous year.
GM is making e-bikes as it expands beyond cars
GM is keenly aware that it can't depend on car sales going forward, and that now includes venturing beyond cars. The company has revealed that it's working on two e-bikes, one compact and one folding, ahead of a launch sometime in 2019. It didn't say much about the machines, but their low-slung designs make it clear that the focus is on efficiency rather than raw performance.
VanMoof's Electrified S2 is a seriously smart commuter bike
VanMoof is almost ready to ship its next generation of electric bicycles. The Electrified S2 and X2 are vast improvements over their predecessors, with bigger batteries, nippier motors and smarter locking mechanisms. If you live in a city and fancy commuting on a bicycle, but fear conniving thieves and the potentially sweaty exercise required to reach the office, this could be your savior. During a two-hour test-ride in London, I was impressed with the S2's stylish frame, pedal-assisted power and integrated 'stealth lock.' It's not a cheap purchase, but few electric bicycles are at the moment.
Lyft is reportedly close to buying the company behind Citi Bike
Lyft might not sit idle while Uber leaps into the bike sharing space. The Information sources have claimed that Lyft is close to acquiring Motivate, the bike sharing behemoth responsible for New York City's Citi Bikes and San Francisco's Ford GoBikes. Neither company has agreed to comment on the move or how it would affect service, but it supposedly wouldn't affect Motivate's existing agreements.
Lumos bike helmet adds Apple Watch gestures to control turn signals
It's been almost three years since we first came across the Lumos smart cycling helmet, which got our attention with its cunning automatic brake lights and wirelessly-controlled turn signal indicators. The helmet has since been shipping as of late 2016, but the Hong Kong startup didn't stop there. Today -- which happens to be the first day of Bike Month -- Lumos is releasing an update that adds gesture control for the helmet's blinkers via Apple Watch, along with Apple HealthKit integration for automatic cycling tracking.
Coros smart bike helmet comes with bone-conduction audio
I've always wanted to cycle with a Spotify playlist pounding through my ear canals. In London, though, that's a dangerous idea given the relentless traffic that threatens to side-swipe you every five seconds. Coros Wearables has a solution: a smart cycling helmet with open-ear bone-conduction audio. The promise is that you can listen to music, make calls and follow directions while still hearing everything around you. The helmet connects to your phone over Bluetooth and promises eight hours of playback on a single charge — enough to last even the longest Tour de France climb.
