Frequently Asked Questions

One of the key aims of the YikeBike design was to make it very safe and safer than a bicycle:

• Electronic anti-skid brakes give it smooth braking and a short stopping distance.
• Built in brake lights and indicators mean you don't have to take your hands off to signal.
• The rider is in an upright position to allow better visibility in traffic – easier to both see and be seen.
• Short wheel-base means it is more manoeuvrable.
• Speed limited so that it can never go faster than 20 km/h.
• Super-fast acceleration to allow you to avoid trouble if necessary.
• Distinctive  sound so people know you are coming.
• Built in lights that are on all the time, making you more visible to others.
• The handlebars are at the side rather than in front so in the event of  an accident or need for an emergency stop the rider’s head or body is not catapulted into an obstacle.

The advantage of starting with a blank sheet of paper was that we could apply the necessary engineering principles to provide a very stable ride, right down to the tracking of the steering. The best way to see just how easy it is to ride is to look at the videos of people riding for the very first time. Most people learn in the first few minutes that they lean differently (and more intuitively!) than a when on a bicycle. After 10 minutes they can’t stop smiling. However, just like learning to ride a bicycle, we recommend you practice until you are very confident before going out into traffic or other congestion.

With a bicycle you stretch forward to reach the handlebars – there is nothing inherently natural about that, it is just what you are used to. The upright position on a YikeBike is remarkably comfortable and safer too because it is easier to both see and be seen. At a top speed of 20 kph you are never going fast enough for wind resistance to be an issue (and the electric motor is doing the hard work anyway).

The YikeBike is the first in the world to have electronic anti-skid brakes, giving smoother braking and a shorter stopping distance than a bicycle. It is likely that you will jump off the front of a YikeBike in an emergency braking situation – this is very easy as there are no handle bars in the way. Check out this test video that shows braking in different scenarios

The YikeBike is different from other vehicles and we do not know how countries and local authorities will classify it in terms of legislation, licensing, insurance, and helmet laws. You can ride the YikeBike on private property. Whether you could also ride it on public streets or bikepaths or footpaths remains to be seen, and if you choose to do so it is at your own risk. We have designed the YikeBike to be safer than a bicycle - with anti-skid braking, speed limited to 20 km/hour, turn-signals, and upright riding position, so our hope is that authorities will recognize the inherent safety and classify the YikeBike as a bicycle or e-bike. If you agree, please make your voice heard with your local or national authorities.

You should use a cycle helmet riding a YikeBike if you would use one riding a bicycle.

The YikeBike is electronically limited to 20 kph. It accelerates to top speed in just a few seconds.

This depends on the amount of battery discharge, but a typical time would be 20 minutes for 80% charge.

It depends upon your electricity supplier, but in most cities the cost to charge would be less that €0.10 equivalent.

The YikeBike can comfortably be ridden by anyone from 160cm to 195cm (5’3” to 6'5"). There is no need to adjust the seat because you do not pedal – your height relative to the seat is only important to how much your knees are bent when riding. The YikeBike can comfortably take a rider (and personal effects) weighing up to 100kg. Beyond this weight we do not warrant performance. Over time we may make different sized ones - particularly for children.

The YikeBike's turning radius is tighter than a bicycle due to the smaller wheel base. See this test video for a demonstration

The YikeBike has latest Lithium Phosphate (liFePO4) batteries that are good for at least 1,000 charges. We will share the exact details when they become available closer to the start of YikeBike production.

With a bit of practice, folding takes less than 15 seconds.

The YikeBike is designed to be super small when folded up so does not have a carrier or pannier bags. You can use a standard backpack while riding. The maximum total weight of the rider and bag is 100kg.

No – because you can fold it up and take it with you there is no need to leave it outside where it can be stolen.

‘Carbon fibre black’ is the only colour that will initially be available for a YikeBike. After initial production has begun we will look at different colours and options to accessorise your YikeBike.

The main frame acts as a mudguard for the front wheel and the end of the frame does the same for the back wheel – so, no, you don't get wet or dirty from the wheels. All the electronics of the YikeBike are shower proof so you can ride in the rain. See the end of the test video for a demonstration in the wet

The YikeBike weighs less than 10kg with a full battery and air in the tyres

The folded dimensions are 150mm by 600mm by 600mm. The total folded volume is 40 litres. The folded YikeBike is considerably smaller than a typical folding bicycle and the fact that all of the mechanicals are enclosed reduces the risk of marking or staining clothing or furniture.

Currently the YikeBike can travel a distance of 9 - 10 Km.

The YikeBike has been designed to require very little maintenance. We are still finalising details of our recommended servicing plan but it will be a door to door service. We will arrange to pick up and return your YikeBike by courier so there is little effort required on your part. Please remember to keep the box that your YikeBike is delivered in so it can be re-used for servicing.

We don’t recommend this other than repairing or replacing tyres according to the procedures in the instruction manual.

Details of the warranty are yet to be finalised. You will also benefit from the consumer protections where you live.

The first orders will be delivered mid 2010.

The price for the first YikeBikes will be between €3,500-€3,900. We will finalise the price when your reserved production slot draws near.

UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden and New Zealand.

The next public test rides will be at The Gadget Show Birmingham, April 8th - 11th 2010. If you sign up to our email we will let you know when we will have test rides in your area

Your personal information is for internal use at YikeBike. We do not sell personally identifiable information collected on our website to other companies.

Yes it is totally refundable up to the day you confirm your purchase (approximately two months before delivery).

A mini-farthing (www.minifarthing.com) is a new class of bicycle (like mountain bike, road bike, racing bike) and YikeBike a brand of mini-farthing.

Being electric, the YikeBike is very energy efficient and is as clean as the electricity you charge it with. Further, the YikeBike encourages the use of public transport use because it works so seamlessly with it. There is simply no comparison between taking a YikeBike or a car. Instead of talking 1-2 tonnes of stuff with you from A to B you only need to take 10kg. Check out our blog for why the YikeBike is greener than cycling

Once we have started delivering the YikeBike to market we will consider other options. The mini-farthing design is available for licensing to well-resourced companies to produce variants, refer www.minifarthing.com.

The YikeBike does not fit within bicycle specifications, but we have designed it to be safer and more manoeuvrable than a bicycle so it should be able to be used anywhere you use a bicycle.

There are commonly specific rules and regulations around taking bicycles on public transport. There are no specific laws around a YikeBike. However, given the size of the folded form is smaller than many bags, you should go for it. Check out our blog on how the YikeBike give you ten times the freedom on public transport

Like a bicycle the YikeBike works best in mild climates, but with care can be used any time you would use a bicycle. It is designed as a commuting device and we strongly advise you do not to try racing or mountain biking on a YikeBike.

The details of any financing option are work in progress. We will have more information as we near full production.

Not at this time

We are a private company and not publicly traded.

Hera – a still mostly undiscovered super-star in the making. Check out www.herasings.com. Hera has a cameo in our promotional video as the person who gets the traffic ticket. Thanks Hera!

We started with a blank sheet of paper and addressed the needs of urban commuting: light-weight for carrying; compact and clean for carrying and storage; decent size front wheel for bumps and curbs; better visibility through upright riding position; shorter wheel base for better manoeuvrability and electric drive to prevent working up a sweat. We also addressed a number of safety issues such as: shorter stopping distance (the YikeBike has anti-skid brakes), tighter cornering for emergencies, better acceleration, a limited top speed of 20kph and a riding position that is upright and unencumbered by handle bars in the event of an emergency stop or accident.

Yes, mini-farthing is interested in talking to well-resourced potential licensees and would be happy to share their ideas on potential variants. Check out www.minifarthing.com.

It is designed and currently assembled in New Zealand. We have sourced the best parts from around the world, including: Japan, USA, England, Germany, France and China.