Yikes!

The bicycle blogosphere is buzzing about the YikeBike, the hottest item being reported on at Eurobike this week (Eurobike is Europe’s biggest bicycle trade show). The YikeBike is part Segway, part “mini-farthing”; a “bicycle” with an electric motor and no pedals that’s ridden like a Penny Farthing.

It looks like a clever device, and the designer is obviously very talented, but a “bicycle” that tops out at 12 mph and doesn’t provide the ability to pedal doesn’t seem like a step forward. One of the selling points is that it’s “sweat-free”, but a bicycle can be ridden at 8-10 mph with no more effort than is required for a relaxed walk. And in regards to storage, it doesn’t look any more compact than a Brompton.

Is it me? I get the feeling this is another high-tech (and very expensive – €3,500-€3,900!!) toy like the Segway that’s trying to re-invent the wheel when we already have the perfect urban vehicle in the good ol’ safety bicycle. Read more