Media coverage | YikeBike - The world's first super light folding electric bike.
Christchurch, New Zealand – June 13th, 2011 – YikeBike Ltd., creators of the world's smallest, lightest, compact electric bicycle, today unveiled the YikeBike Fusion, a lower-priced yet uncompromising version of the original YikeBike Carbon Fiber electric bicycle that has captivated the imagination of consumers and bicycle enthusiasts around the world, and earned awards, accolades and acknowledgements from Time Magazine, the Guinness Book of World Records, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and other international organizations. The YikeBike Fusion retails for $1,990 USD, which is half of the price of YikeBike Carbon Fiber, and can be ordered online starting June 13 at www.yikebike.com
"We created the YikeBike to dramatically change urban and suburban transportation, providing users with a fast, safe, cost-effective, eco-friendly way to navigate their cities and towns," said YikeBike CEO Grant Ryan. "The original, upscale, carbon fiber YikeBike generated tremendous interest among early adopters when we unveiled it in late 2010. This led us – in record breaking time - to design the more mainstream YikeBike Fusion, which uses conventional materials to make it more appealing to both cost-conscious and energy-conscious consumers."
At about half of the size and weight of other electric bicycles and many regular bicycles, the YikeBike Fusion is the perfect vehicle for urban and suburban use, especially for commuters. Similar to the original, the YikeBike Fusion travels at a maximum speed of 14 miles per hour, with a distance of up to six miles between charges, or up to eighteen miles with the optional extended batteries.
The YikeBike can be folded or unfolded in about 15 seconds, and is light and portable enough to be carried onto a bus, train or elevator, or stored in the trunk of a car or under a desk. Its portability also means that consumers need never to worry about the storing, securing, or possible theft or vandalism of their YikeBike – as they would with a regular bicycle.
The YikeBike is also incredibly fun yet safe to ride. Its side- and rear-mounted LED lights are always on for greater visibility – especially at night. Its 20-inch front wheel can easily handle bumps, potholes and similar road obstructions, and its anti-skid, regenerative brakes provide faster and safer stopping capabilities. The YikeBike's innovative frame design and slower top speed make it safer to ride than an ordinary bike, and its ergonomic, upward seating and handlebar configuration makes it more comfortable to ride as well.
For the environmentally conscious, the YikeBike emits zero carbon emissions, and its use actually helps reduce the carbon emissions normally generated by other motor vehicles for shorter trips. The YikeBike fully recharges in about 40 min, and at a cost of approximately five cents per charge.
YikeBikes are in demand from celebrities such as Jackie Chan, to major corporations such as Google. However, ordinary consumers and cycle enthusiasts appreciate the innovative and sexy design and "green" features of the YikeBike. Wayne Sander, a [70+-year-old] YikeBike owner from Jamul, CA, feels that riding his YikeBike is safer than his street bike and more fun as well.
"From uber-cool teenagers to conservative senior citizens, I love the overwhelming positive looks and "thumbs up" comments I get when people see me riding my YikeBike. Its design is one of a kind, and it's so easy that even someone of my age can quickly learn to ride it. From a safety standpoint, the 14 mile-per-hour top speed is less than half of what I often achieve on my street bike, especially on downhill stretches. YikeBike's anti-skid brakes work similar to a car's anti-lock brakes, which brings me to a faster, more controlled stop. And if the YikeBike were to stop suddenly, say in an accident, riders can avoid any painful contact with the handlebars, crossbar or other bicycle parts that would otherwise prevent them from landing on their feet."
Since its creation, the YikeBike has received numerous international accolades. Most notably, YikeBike was ranked 15th among the 50 Best inventions of 2009 by Time Magazine. It was also listed among WIPO's most notable inventions next to the likes of BlackBerry, Google, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), SpaceShip One, Viagra, and an anti-HIV vaccine. The YikeBike was also enshrined in The 2011 Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest and smallest compact electric bike in the world.
About YikeBike Ltd.
YikeBike develops and manufactures the smallest, lightest, folding electric bikes in the world. The result of five years of research and development, YikeBike combines exceptional performance, design and safety with economy, convenience and portability. YikeBike is backed by the two largest venture capital firms in New Zealand, Pioneer Capital Partners and K1W1, and the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. For more information, or to purchase a YikeBike, please visit www.yikebike.com.
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