Welcome to Ride Review, your weekly roundup of new tech and vehicle launches in the world of micromobility.
ICYMI…
🌎 Earlier this week we revealed that Micromobility America is officially moving to the LA area this fall. We’ll be at the iconic OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA on Nov 14-15 with a great lineup of exhibitors, speakers, and vehicles. This week, we’re offering Super Early Bird pre-sale, meaning all-access tickets cost just $95. This is the only time passes will cost less than three digits. Get yours now.
🌍 Across the pond, space is filling up at Micromobility Europe, our Amsterdam trade summit which is coming up on June 5-6. We’re adding new speakers and partners daily (see here), and we just received word that our hotel partner is out of rooms (!). If you haven’t reserved your tickets or booked your travel yet, we recommend doing it soon…
👩💻 Want a taste of the content you’ll find at our conferences? Tune into our next webinar on March 14th, in which our own Horace Dediu will talk to the top transportation minds from McKinsey about the shift from private cars to e-bikes and the implications for cities. Register here.
What You Need to Know Today
Apple is reportedly exiting the car industry, focusing instead on software and mobility services. On the latest episode of our podcast, Horace Dediu explains why Apple's future may lie in micromobility and smart accessories for vehicles. Listen here.
It’s not officially spring yet, but the onslaught of new e-bike models has already begun! Rad Power Bikes just announced a slew of updates, headlined by their new Safe Shield battery technology, which goes above and beyond UL certification by encasing individual cells in fire-resistant resin. The company also announced multiple tech upgrades (including torque sensors!) for the 5th generation of the RadWagon and RadExpand, as well as a brand new model called the Radster.
Ride1Up announced the LMT’D V2, refreshing one of its more popular models with several upgrades including a torque sensor, fenders, and a rear light. Interestingly, the ebike appears to now be using the same frame as the Turris —another of their models, which makes it a bit heavier— and the front fork has changed from coil to air, which could be an upgrade or a downgrade depending on your riding style.
Many companies are trying to incorporate AI into their products this year. We get it, AI is hot, but please integrate it in a useful way! Orbic is setting a good example, unveiling a new e-bike with AI-powered object detection and collision avoidance technology. It’s also 5G connected with a fairly advanced display that offers mapping and tracking functionalities, as well as serving as a mobile WiFi hotspot.
Bicycle manufacturing titan Specialized is going after the premium electric cargo segment with the Porto, a long-tail model with a payload capacity of 200 kg (440 lbs). It’s using a proprietary rear rack compatible with the MIK HD quick-connect system, which enables use with a huge array of cargo-related accessories already on the market.
Even e-skate companies are making e-bikes now! Evolve Skateboards announced Project BMX, which is (as the name implies) an electric BMX bike powered by a mid-drive Bafang M560 motor. This is an exciting development as few companies have ventured into the e-BMX sector, and Evolve looks to have done a good job preserving the iconic BMX look and feel.
Many ICE motorcycle riders are hesitant to switch to electric because they’ll miss having a clutch. The “twist-and-go” simplicity of electric models means losing the increased control and more engaging experience of shifting through the gears, which is actually pretty important for adventure and performance riders. Some e-moto manufacturers are taking note, with Zero Motorcycles filing a new patent for a simulated clutch and gearbox.
India-based Ather Energy continues to tease more information for their upcoming family-sized electric moped, the Rizta. It’s expected to have a massive under-seat storage compartment, and an XXXXXL-sized seat. We have to hand it to Ather’s marketing department for their creative advertising!
ILL Moto, which was co-founded by Michael Riis Eriksen of Switch Motorcycles, is working on an electric MX bike called the PDQ1. It boasts a massive 600 newton-meters of torque and can accelerate to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, and while pre-order isn’t open yet they’re targeting a starting price of €10,000 for early backers.
Golf karts are increasing in popularity outside the fairway, used as affordable and climate-friendly car alternatives. Kandi America’s newest model is a two-seater and smaller than average, and the chassis can collapse down to a length of just 5.5 feet (158 cm) for storage.
Honda’s UNI-ONE is a quirky recreational mobility device, essentially a self-balancing wheelchair that can move in any direction and is controlled via rider posture. It’s designed to work in tandem with a virtual reality headset, and expected to come to the US in spaces like malls and theme parks.
Canyon announced the Grizl:ON, an electrified version of their popular adventure gravel bike, the Grizl. It’s intended for more aggressive riders, equipped with both a suspension fork and a dropper seatpost, and is powered by Bosch’s ultra-lightweight SX mid-drive platform.
Utah-based Fezzari Bicycles is rebranding, now simply called Ari. Along with their rebrand is a new electric mountain bike called the Nebo Peak, a lightweight all-mountain model that uses GA-Link technology in the chainstay pivot, allowing riders to adjust geometry for optimal fit.
Lectric's XPedition is the top-selling electric cargo bike in the US... does it live up to the hype? We find out in our latest video review!
