marcus hays, founder and designer of pimobility, has hit on something pretty special with his electric-hybrid bike, the picycle.
The bright red, swooping frame immediately grabs your attention, and its statistics, like the fact that it produces zero-emissions, hooks you. The $3,000 – $5,000 price tag may put you off, and it’s certainly not for everyone, but when you consider that the yearly operating cost is almost nil, it ends up balancing out, saving you thousands that you would ordinarily spend on gas and maintenance for a car.
While it can’t boast the speed of a car, for getting around the city you couldn’t ask for a better ride. The Picycle reaches up to 30 mph (although the legal speed for electric bikes is 20 mph in most states) and runs for about 20 miles on a single charge. It uses a Lithion-ion battery, which is housed in the arcing aluminum frame, and takes only 2.5 hours to charge. You can ride it like a plain old bike, with electric-assist or completely under electric propulsion. Not having to pedal up a hill or in the heat means that if you’re someone who uses their bike to commute to and from work, no more arriving to work in a sweat-soaked dress shirt. And for the weekend joy-ride or trip to the beach, there’s no more sitting in traffic or stopping to tank up.
Pi electric bikes price: $2,999 to $4,999.
designer: marcus hays
producer: pimobility
