New Zealander Invents Segway Alternative 282
RainbowBrite writes "The YikeBike is the invention of a New Zealander aiming to alleviate city congestion. 'It might look like a collision between a praying mantis and a child's scooter, but it's the result of five years of work to reinvent the wheel, with one important addition: an electric motor. It's a bicycle, but not as we have come to know it. For a start, you sit upright and steer with your hands at your side.'" The YikeBike weighs in at a measly 22 lbs but has a hefty price tag of almost $5,000 US (£3,000). The battery's expected lifespan is only 1,000 charges, but the device has a projected range of around six miles.
1000 charges? (Score:1, Interesting)
So, basically this thing costs about $1 per mile?
I sincerely hope the inventor manages to make it a bit cheaper to own before this thing hits the streets....
Re:Can you spell Face Plant? (Score:3, Interesting)
Segway and ordinances (Score:3, Interesting)
When the Segway was finally unveiled, the disappointment pretty much killed off any widescale distribution of the device (along with crazy city ordinances).
I don't know about crazy city ordinances, but I was astounded by the speed with which the electric personal assistive mobility device [state.va.us] gained recognition and all the rights of a bicycle under Virginia Law. I believe the law changes were in the books even before the first Segway hit pavement in Virginia. And I'm just willing to bet that you'll find similar treatment in state laws on both U.S. coasts.
Re:Why? (Score:3, Interesting)
There are several factors that I'd want to compare products on if I were in the market for a personal motorized transport device.
1. Size
2. Weight
3. Ergonomics -- sitting or standing? Comfort?
4. Range
5. Durability
6. Cargo capacity
For me, #6 would be a dealbreaker, the others are ones I could compromise on. What is the cargo capacity on a segway? How many saddlebags and how much weight can it handle? If I couldn't do my family's grocery shopping with it, I wouldn't consider it.
But I'm not in the market for one of these, since I have a bike with good cargo capacity (and a trailer for when I need it), and I live in a small town, not a city.
Re:Really good ideas... (Score:3, Interesting)
Not as cool/affordable as the eniCycle (Score:2, Interesting)
Not as cool/affordable as the eniCycle (http://enicycle.com/).
Meh- I'll take a Stokemonkey... (Score:3, Interesting)
Sure, it's big, it's bulky, but for the most part, you will no longer need a car.
And for those who like things a little more space age, There's the go-one and similar vehicles, like this one pulling into a campus at Intel. [youtube.com]
The velomobiles will protect you in the rain, and you can't face plant in it. The Stokemonkey is stupidly powerful and extremely practical (try and haul 2 little kids and 4 sacks of groceries on a yikeBike). The YikeBike is for yuppies who want a cool toy.
However: the future is not to be denied: the future of transportation lies in lightweight electric and electric assist (i.e. electric assisted pedal bikes and trikes) [jvbike.com] vehicles.
Get 'em now while they're relatively cheap and unwanted...
RS
Re:Can you spell Face Plant? (Score:5, Interesting)
You're really over exposed as well, i fail to see how this is any better than an electric bike in any way!
That's because the greatest difference between this and a segway or bicycle was sneakily hidden in the article (and in the pics of the article):
Crucially, you can fold it into a bag and carry the whole 22lb package anywhere
It actually looks pretty damn useful (large backpack size when in bag) for being able to carry it into buildings, offices, subways, taxis, other-areas-you-can't-easily-take-an-electric-bike.
I could totally deal with the range and potential stability dangers, unfortunately that price is a deal breaker.
Re:Really good ideas... (Score:1, Interesting)
About the most negative thing I think of when I learn someone I know is switching to biking is, "Gee, watch out for all the idiots in cars who are trying to kill you!"
Sadly, in my experience it's usually the bicyclists who are the hugest assholes. For instance, in five years of watching bicyclists, I've seen one stop for a stop sign exactly one time, and that appeared to be only because there was so much traffic he couldn't "chance it." For some reason, bicyclists seem to be under the impression that they're neither pedestrian nor vehicle, so are immune to the laws of the road governing either.
Re:Can you spell Face Plant? (Score:3, Interesting)
Sweat doesn't smell until many hours after exercise
I invite you to come smell my coworker when he arrives at work after biking on a sunny day.
I used to bike to work when I lived in Colorado. There were dedicated bike trails that could get you just about anywhere, and the dry, moderate climate meant that even if/when I sweat, it evaporated immediately, and I didn't have to worry much about inclement weather. Also, Colorado is flat (unless you live in the mountains, obviously), so there are no hills to climb. And Colorado culture means you can totally wear shorts to work, so I was always dressed appropriately for the season.
Here in Japan, I biked to work my first year, but gave up. It was a little too far and too hilly to be attempting every morning and every evening in a suit. The frequent rain was a problem, sometimes resulting in my kind of just hanging out at work until 9, when I could have left at 6, while my wife ate the dinner she made for us alone. Also, with the high humidity, sweat doesn't go away; it just soaks in. Also not cool for the suits.
Now I drive. I would like to walk, and sometimes do, but that can result in being unpresentable too, if it's in the dead of summer. Also, it's a 45min walk at even a brisk pace. Also, there's the hill. Losing 45min to a commute I can do in 10 with a car just doesn't seem like a good use of my time.
Basically, what I'm saying is that there are a lot of reasonable reasons not to ride a bike to work. I loved doing it in Colorado--I loved the freedom; I loved the fresh air; I loved the exercise; I loved not spending money on the commute. I wish I could do it again, but I just can't.
Finally, FWIW, I'm not fat. I'm at ideal weight, and still fit in my clothes from college. I'm 35. So this isn't a "blarg blarg it's not my fault I'm a tub of lard pass the cookies" whinge; it's an attempt to show why there are some very good reasons for not biking to work.