In 2023, living more sustainably and consciously should be a priority for all of us, – whether it’s making changes in our daily lives, consumption, or even our means of transportation. Our typical fossil-fuel-consuming means of transportation need to be replaced by greener and more environment-friendly alternatives, and Electric Bicycles are an appealing option! Not only do they curb fuel consumption and reduce automotive emissions, but they’re also a healthy source of exercise for us! I mean, not only do we get to save the Earth from air pollution, but we can also get some intense cardio done. And they’re becoming an increasingly popular option day by day. It’s estimated that by 2023, the total number of electric bicycles in circulation around the world, will be 300 million, which is an exponential increase, from 200 million back in 2019. It looks like everyone is slowly and steadily hopping onto the e-bicycle bandwagon! And, we’ve curated a whole range of innovative designs for you that caught our attention in 2022! From a shape-shifting kick scooter that transforms into an electric bicycle to the ultimate Pendler e-bike with modular accessories – we have a whole collection of sleek, modern, and super cool e-bikes for you!
1. The Popup Scooter
Christened the Popup Scooter, the two-wheeled electric bicycle transforms into a chick kick scooter and the other way around. This gives the rider (and his/her family and buddies) the option to choose the configuration depending on the particular needs. The smooth transformation happens courtesy of the hydraulic cylinder which in normal bicycles is used to adjust the ride height. This hydraulic mechanism is capable enough to lift an adult person, so, lifting and lowering the rider’s body shouldn’t be a problem at all. At the core level, the concept is not just another blueprint that looks good on paper but falls flat on its face when it comes to creating the actual prototype or even a production model.
2. The ONEBOT-S7
E-bikes are a household name now, they are a common mode of transportation in many cities – with safety norms – for cyclists. Add to that the convenience of being able to fold the bike instantly, and it becomes a versatile option to get from point A to B efficiently, effectively, and quickly. To ensure this portability and convenience, the ONEBOT-S7 uses a unique three-fold structure – as opposed to the two-step folding design that we all are familiar with – which makes the e-bike ultra-compact when folded so it can fit in the boot of the car or slide under your workstation (however and wherever you please to use it). Compressed into the smallest single unit possible, this e-bike when folded measure only 60cm in height and length and just 35cm in width.
3. The VanMoof Bike
The VanMoof bike comes with a minimal-yet-robust-looking frame and catches the eye with its red and black colorway. Although GMC hasn’t mentioned which model this is, just by the looks of it and its feature list, it seems like a custom version of the e-bike company’s Red Dot Award-winning S3 model. This new colorway, however, comes from the mind of Dao-Yi Chow, a New York-born-and-raised designer who co-created the street-savvy fashion brand Public School in 2008, which has received high acclaim with several major fashion awards (CFDA’s Swarovski Award for Menswear & Menswear Designer of the Year, US Woolmark Prize for Menswear). “
4. BaoPham Design’s E-bike Concept
This e-bike concept from BaoPham Design features centerless wheels that reduce the rotating inertia found in heavier wheels. Equipped with slim road bike tires, BaoPham’s concept e-bike boasts an aerodynamic build that cuts out the extra drag from air pressure and skin friction to give the bike a speedy ride. Conceptualized with a swift, Z-frame, the e-bike concept from BaoPham Design would host an electric motor located in the bike’s rear-wheel rotor that would be activated once the pedals are moved. The Z-frame of BaoPham Design’s e-bike would be constructed entirely from metal or aluminum for a sleek look and swift ride. Additionally, the hubless wheels of BaoPham Design’s e-bike reduce the rotating inertia found in wheels with spokes and a hub.
5. Titaa
While riding manual unicycles might be too much of a learning curve for most, self-balancing, electric unicycles sound more like something we could all get behind. Titaa, a unicycle with just those sorts of mechanics, conceptualized by Husky Design is a dual-purpose, modular vehicle that can transform from a bicycle into a self-balancing unicycle. In its full form, Titaa is an electric two-wheeler in the shape of a cargo bike. When riding Titaa as a two-wheeler, users sit upright on a curved, elevated seat rest that slopes down toward the bicycle’s set of foot pedals. There, users can rest their feet while the motor charges the e-bike ahead. Built into the rear-wheel component, Titaa runs on a battery-operated system that can be replaced and recharged near the vehicle’s foot pedals.
6. The LAMBROGio and the LAMBROGino
Dubbed the LAMBROGio and the LAMBROGino, these electric trikes are pedal-assisted as well and have each go their set of merits. Contoured shapes dominate the design on these for minimum airflow resistance. The weight has also been trimmed down to the minimum which further helps in economical battery conservation and stretching out the total mileage. The cargo version has a front door that doubles as a shade for the rider. While the passenger version of the electric bike could have benefited from a similar shade for those hot or rainy days, still customization is just that auto shop’s distance away.
7. The ENGWE X26 all-terrain e-bike
Definitely plausible but hardly ideal, especially if you’re trekking roads that even your mighty legs will have trouble going through. The ENGWE X26 all-terrain e-bike, in contrast, gives you all the power you need to conquer any road and almost any distance. The ENGWE X26’s power comes from two features that are industry firsts for this type of electric vehicle. For one, it has a powerful 1000W motor capable of pushing your speed to 31 mph max. While that’s the maximum power it can dish out, the e-bike also delivers a steady and reliable 750W output that still outruns the average e-bike’s 500W motors. All this power makes short work of rough terrains and inclines, which means that you’ll also be gliding swiftly on the smoother pavement.
8. The PXID – A1
Dubbed the PXID – A1, this compact electric bicycle folds to the size of a small suitcase for easy transportation in the boot or even be carried to the office floor, that’s if the boss permits. The folding bicycle rides on 14-inch tires and the rear tires get power from the onboard electric battery for assistive riding on ascends. The seat is height adjustable and the revamped design as compared to the earlier S1 model adapts an angular frame design. This gives the A1 a far better foldable aesthetic that’s practical in use. In fact, it is so compact in the foldable position, you can even store more luggage in the boot of your car with the A1 foldable electric bicycle sitting on one corner!
9. The Pendler Bike
Christened the Pendler bike, it gets its name from the Danish word pendling (meaning commuting) and is a nod to the country’s deep cycling culture. The idea of this concept is centered on the U-shaped frame which is basically a thick structural element. This lends the two-wheeler an identifiable silhouette for on-off urban riding needs. The aesthetics and feasible performance of the Pendler are given much attention which is important for a design to materialize for mass production.
10. The Pilot Bicycle
This final design is centered on a lightweight 7005 series aluminum frame and striking hubless wheel characteristics. To finalize the hubless wheel design that is functional to the last detail, Franz took help from his mechanical engineering colleagues. In the end, the off-center axle design had the additional gear to spin the wheels at a proper rate with pedaling motion. This is assisted by the onboard motor for that extra boost on inclines when the throttle is pressed. The Pilot bicycle finally came to life after countless edits and alterations to the design. The next step was to finalize the colors, materials, and finishes.
