Cycling as a means to commute to and from work is becoming more and more popular and this is accelerated with concerns about global warming. However, many people are scared off by the potentially long commute that relies on pedal power. An obvious answer is an electric bicycle, but they can be heavy, cumbersome and limiting.
Product Designer, Max Wehebrink, is developing an alternative called the fiftyfifty. It is an electric bike component that attaches to an existing bike and converts it into an electric one. The component includes the battery, motor and gearing and it fits into the front wheel of a standard bicycle. It weighs just 2kg and has a range of 15km. The main advantage being that you do not need to buy a dedicated electric bike. Instead, you can continue to use the bike that you know and love. You can charge the battery overnight and if you are eco conscience, you can use a green electricity provider to ensure that your mode of transport remains environmentally friendly.
I asked Max a few questions about the fiftyfifty electric bike wheel:
