- The Ford E-Bike Concept, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, shows how the automaker is tinkering with "future mobility solutions."
- Ford said the E-Bike Concept, with its non-gender-specific design, will not be produced.
- The Ford E-Bike Concept has a range of about 53 miles on a single charge.
FRANKFURT, Germany — The streamlined Ford E-Bike Concept, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, shows how the automaker is tinkering with "future mobility solutions."
Ford said in a statement that it has no plans to produce the E-Bike.
"The E-Bike Concept demonstrates how Ford's design language can translate to a bicycle," said the automaker in a statement.
The concept features a motor in the front wheel hub, a lithium-ion battery concealed in the frame and what Ford describes as "patented sensor technology from the world of Formula One" that converts magnetic energy into kinetic energy and vice versa.
"The sensors read the revolutions in the inner bearing and relay this information to the control unit within a hundredth of a second," explained Ford. "The control unit then instantly activates or deactivates the electric motor."
The Ford E-Bike Concept has a range of about 53 miles on a single charge.
A handlebar-mounted display provides trip information and allows the rider to select from three support modes — economy, comfort and sport.
The E-Bike has a non-gender-specific design, making it appropriate for either men or women, said Ford. It features a trapezoidal frame and wheels with a six-spoke V-design.
Inside Line says: Ford has some fun with a politically correct two-wheeler for the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
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tbone85 says:
06:44 AM, 09/24/2011
I never understood the whole gender specific bike thing. If anything, they've had it reversed all this time. That top horizontal support bar has been a real pain in the balls for boys and men over the years. :-)
compressor says:
10:30 AM, 09/22/2011
Though I think current bike manufacturers already make a product that performs this function, it is nice to see the effort and attention it will bring. However, in the US, workplaces need to extend an effort helping people commute by bike, via e-bike or conventional. Most workplaces do not offer secure parking, change rooms or showers. Also, Americans as a whole need to change their attitude about biking. Figures this is at the Frankfurt Show
k55 says:
10:16 AM, 09/22/2011
53miles ? jeesh, I dont think I would last that long as my butt would be killing me,
msmlexis says:
10:07 AM, 09/22/2011
Ford shpuld build this seems like a good idea.
sprocketboy says:
08:41 AM, 09/22/2011
It might be making a politically-correct green statement, but Ford is not stupid. I was at IAA on Tuesday and E-bikes were everywhere. Germans bought 70,000 of them last year and the market grew 35% in twelve months. Smart had a whole row of Smart e-bikes that are going into production to show off and even non-auto companies including Riese & Muller and Bulls had stands with e-bikes that were generating quite a bit of interest. But, believe me, at the Ford stand everybody was ogling the Evos concept car...