Think small with the YikeBike
NEW ZEALAND - A bike with no pedals? The size of the kiddie trike?
That's New Zealand's own YikeBike. It now looks to be available in the U.S. for around $3,600, which may be a low enough price to draw at least a few curious buyers to purchase one.
The YikeBike Electric 'mini-farthing' a self-described new class of bikes, also known as a mini electric penny farthing exists somewhere between an e-bike and a Segway. Upon encountering traffic, the owner of said device simply unfolds the lightweight, 22 pound frame, climbs up on the wheel-mounts, leans back, and away she goes for 6.2 miles on a charge, courtesy of the electric motor.
While we applaud the innovative design thinking, we're with Wired's Gadget Lab in wondering whether the high center of gravity, larger front wheel and handlebars-behind-you design doesn't add up to an urban faceplant waiting to happen. One reason this device might be more appropriate on the sidewalk, like a Segway, say, rather than braving the street like a bike.
With some interesting features we expect at least a few folks to be interested in the YikeBike, if only for the sheer novelty of riding on their own handlebars.
Related News
US Electricity Prices Rise Most in 41 Years as Inflation Endures
WASHINGTON - Electricity bills for US consumers jumped the most since 1981, gaining 15.8% from the same period a year ago, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Natural gas bills, which crept back up last month after dipping in July, surged 33% from the same month last year, labor data released Tuesday showed. Broader energy costs slipped for a second consecutive month because of lower gasoline and fuel oil prices. Even with that drop, total energy costs were still about 24% above August 2021 levels.
Electricity costs are relentlessly climbing because prices for the two biggest power-plant fuels -- natural…
