Bolwell Elite Electric Bicycles
by TreeHugger on 11.29.04
Would you love a hybrid, like the much vaunted Toyota Prius, but just can’t ante up all those big ones for a new car? We hear you. A hybrid bicycle maybe then! You can pedal it or you can power it (with an onboard battery.) Got a headwind or too many groceries? Switch to electricity and with an overnight charge you could cover about 50km (31mile) without raising a sweat (or a glow, as the case might be).
You might even get the wind rushing through your helmet, as you cruise along at up to 25kph (16mph). Select an off-road version ($1782 AUD), a foldable commuter or italian scooter style, from the among six models. ::Bolwell E-cycle [by WM]
HI Nice bikes.
Why is there a 25 kph speed limit?
Thanks. Great idea.
In some jurisdictions Mike, too much speed makes a hybrid bicycle require registration as is it were a motorcycle or car. Limiting the maximum speed can reduce this extra cost and paperwork.
I tired to use the link to Botwell, but got a "no-such-site" response...what gives?
My Daughter-in-law in Tokyo has a Yamaha electric-assist "mama-san" bike and uses it to haul grand-daughter and misc shopping bags. My wife loves it so much, she says she's going to buy one of her own, even if we have to go back to Tokyo to do so and then ship it back ourselves.
(We already have a Xebra Electric Pick-up and several electric scooters, and PVs to charge them, so we're sold on this technology... : )
Don Stephens, InA
Innovating in Eco-Design since 1960