Gizmag: Urban Transport

New research indicates motorcycle commuting reduces traffic congestion and emissions

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:32:55 -0600

The answer to the world's growing urban traffic congestion may be as simple as promoting motorcycling to commuters. A Belgian study has found that even a slight modal shift from cars to motorcycles in traffic composition significantly reduces traffic congestion and emissions. When 10 percent of cars are replaced by motorcycles, total time losses for all vehicles decrease by 40 percent and total emissions reduce by 6 percent. .. Continue Reading New research indicates motorcycle commuting reduces traffic congestion and emissions

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Congestion, Environment, Motorcycles, Traffic

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Overade foldable bicycle helmet design saves space as well as your skull

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:59:05 -0600

While bike helmets have become lighter and more comfortable to wear in the last couple of decades, their shape has remained largely unchanged. Not surprising when you consider the shape of people's heads hasn't really changed that much recently. As a result helmets are as awkward to carry around and take up just as much space in a bag as they ever did. Unfortunately, this leads many to risk their safety by just leaving the things at home rather than deal with the hassle. Not content with this state of affairs, designer Patrick Jouffret and engineer Philippe Arrouart came up with a bike helmet design that folds down to a much more convenient size when not on your noggin... Continue Reading Overade foldable bicycle helmet design saves space as well as your skull

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Cycling, Foldable, Helmets, Safety

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BOXX electric scooter looks sort of like a rideable suitcase

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:48 -0600

Oregon-based BOXX's first production electric scooter is just about a meter (39 inches) long and looks like an odd sort of cross between a piece of retro luggage and a giant-sized camera. It promises to move you up to 80 miles on a single charge at a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) and comes with a price tag starting just under US$4,000... Continue Reading BOXX electric scooter looks sort of like a rideable suitcase

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Motorcycle, Scooter

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Production of the EUR4000 fold-up pedal-electric Voltitude set to begin

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:47:17 -0600

The Voltitude fold-up electric scooter has an ingenious EasyFold system. Once folded, a special button on the handlebar enables you to "walk" it alongside you indoors, so you never raise a sweat in reaching a power outlet, which will fully replenish the battery inside four hours. The 25 kph (15.5 mph) electric assist Voltitude begins volume production in July with an on-line price expected in the vicinity of EUR4000... Continue Reading Production of the EUR4000 fold-up pedal-electric Voltitude set to begin

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Personal Powered Transport, Voltitude

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Suitpack keeps cyclists' work clothes crease-free

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:10:55 -0600

Leaving the car at home and biking to work certainly has its benefits - to the air we breathe, to the fitness of the rider and to the bank balance. For white collar workers though, this presents an attire problem - unsightly creases, mud splashes and a soaking from the elements don't do much for your business suit. The Cambridge Design Partnership has just announced a possible alternative to stowing away a spare suit at the office or trying to flatten out the creases with a portable iron - the Suitpack. Just out of prototyping, the design is designed to keep clothing crumple-free while commuting to work, and has various compartments for storing accessories and shoes... Continue Reading Suitpack keeps cyclists' work clothes crease-free

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Backpack, Clothing, Cycling

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Version 2.0 of Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle now ready for primetime

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:10:15 -0600

Two things are certain in this crazy world - unicycles are cool and unicycles are seriously hard to ride. Well no longer. Now anybody can clown about on a unicycle and what's more, you don't even have to pedal. Thanks to Focus Designs and several years of development the learning curve required to master the unicycle has been reduced from several weeks to an average of 20 minutes, making it a viable and incredibly cheap-to-run personal transport. .. Continue Reading Version 2.0 of Focus Designs Self Balancing Unicycle now ready for primetime

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bike, Focus Designs, Self-balancing, Unicycle

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Personal Rover - personal EV for under US$1000

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:19:28 -0600

It is no secret that personal transportation form factors are beginning to diverge and a new one caught our attention this week that is almost certain to carve itself a niche in this intensely interesting and competitive space. It's not as sexy as a Yikebike, Honda U3-X or Toyota Winglet, but it is easy to use, has a range of 12 miles (20 km), a top speed of 15 mph and a price under US$1000. At 90 pounds, the Personal Rover is not exactly small, but it folds up so it can be rolled on castor wheels inside a building, and will easily fit inside a car boot to fulfill secondary transport duties... Continue Reading Personal Rover - personal EV for under US$1000

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Vehicles, Personal Rover

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The Kinect-controlled, Windows 8 tablet-powered “Board of Awesomeness”

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:20:41 -0600

When Microsoft asked gamers to get off the couch and get moving with the release of the Kinect motion controller in 2010, it’s doubtful that zooming around the streets at speeds of up to 32 mph (51 km/h) was the kind of movement they had in mind. But as we’ve seen ever since unofficial open source drivers hit the Internet in 2010 and Microsoft came to the party with its official Kinect for Windows SDK last year, the Kinect has proven to be a remarkably flexible device. That flexibility now extends to a motion control interface for a motorized electric skateboard modestly dubbed by its creators, the “Board of Awesomeness.” .. Continue Reading The Kinect-controlled, Windows 8 tablet-powered “Board of Awesomeness”

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: CES 2012, gesture control, Kinect, Motion Controller, Prototype, Skateboard, Tablet, Windows 8

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The beautifully retro Juicer ebikes with striking EV-Twin battery mount

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:18:38 -0600

If you think that you've spotted a strangely old-looking motorized bicycle cruising around the streets of Los Angeles, don't worry, you're not hallucinating. What you're likely seeing is one of two hand-built Juicer e-bike models - both of which harken back to the very early days of motorcycle development, when engines and motors were fixed to bicycle frames. The Juicer 36 is fashioned like a stretch cruiser and the 48 is an homage to the board-track era. Retro styling aside, the stand-out feature for us has got to be the gorgeous battery/motor configuration, that's been arranged like cylinders of a V-twin engine... Continue Reading The beautifully retro Juicer ebikes with striking EV-Twin battery mount

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Bicycle, Electric Vehicles, Retro

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Sword-inspired Chinese train hits 311 mph in testing

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:48:35 -0600

China's state press agency, Xinhua, reports that the country's largest rail vehicle maker has debuted a six-car train more than twice as powerful and 200 km/h (124 mph) faster than the high-speed models currently in service between Beijing and Shanghai. The new electric test train can draw a maximum of 22,800 kilowatts and is reportedly capable of reaching speeds as high as 500 km/h (311 mph), making it one of the fastest trains ever designed for commercial passenger use... Continue Reading Sword-inspired Chinese train hits 311 mph in testing

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: China, Speed, Trains

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Ridekick provides an electric boost to regular bicycles

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:22:17 -0600

Although some cycling purists may sneer at them, electric bicycles certainly do come in handy when hills need to be climbed on morning commutes, or loads need to be hauled. E-bikes can be quite expensive, however, plus their motors and batteries make them heavy and clunky when their electric-assist feature isn’t being used. That’s where the Ridekick ...well, where it kicks in. The motorized trailer quickly hooks onto an existing bicycle, pushing it to speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h), for a distance of about 12 miles (19 km) per charge. When you want your regular ol’ human-powered bike back, you just unhook it and go. .. Continue Reading Ridekick provides an electric boost to regular bicycles

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bicycles, Cycling, Electric Bicycle, Trailer

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T3 Motion to launch "Power Sport" consumer three-wheeled EV

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:45:00 -0600

Since its initial launch five years ago, the T3 Motion's stand-up electric three-wheeler has been snapped up by law enforcement, security and military concerns in nearly 30 countries. Shoppers who have looked on with envy as Mall security whizzes past in pursuit of a shoplifter can now rest easy. T3 Motion is responding to what it describes as pent up customer demand and will launch a consumer version called the T3 Power Sport. It won't come with the frightening fire power of the T3 Non-Lethal Response Vehicle, but it will have a top speed of 12 mph, a range of up to 40 miles and will be available in a range of colors and custom paint job or logo options... Continue Reading T3 Motion to launch "Power Sport" consumer three-wheeled EV

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Battery Electric Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Three Wheel

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Veteran Italian icons team up for luxury carbon bike

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:41:40 -0600

When a cycling helmet is priced at nearly US$900, a pair of cycling gloves at over US$300 and a water bottle at US$105, it's a sure thing that the bike that goes with them is going to be really, really expensive. Such is the case with the new Bianchi by Gucci carbon fiber two-wheeler, which sees two Italian veterans come together for the release of this US$14,000 bike. Read on for a rundown of the key specs... Continue Reading Veteran Italian icons team up for luxury carbon bike

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bicycles, Carbon Fiber, Cycling, Luxury

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D-Art melds three-wheel and robotics expertise to create a tilting three-wheeled EV

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:30:44 -0600

Japanese design studio D-Art seems to be popping up in all the right places. Its design for a robotic exoskeleton arm was demonstrated at the International Robotics Expo in November, with an target retail price US$2500 to US$3000 projected for 2013, and just a fortnight later at the Tokyo Motor Show, it showed an all-electric three wheeler named the “Style.” The 30 kg Style will do around 25 km/h for 20 km, and costs JPY500,000 (around US$6500)... Continue Reading D-Art melds three-wheel and robotics expertise to create a tilting three-wheeled EV

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: D-art, Exoskeleton, Irex, Three Wheel, Tokyo Motor Show 2011

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M55 expands Terminus e-bike range

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:56:30 -0600

The folks at Budapest's prestigious M55 e-bike studio have been far from idle since we brought news of the launch of the company's Terminus e-bike a few months ago. All of the remaining limited production run editions have now been released - including the Biceps model with the strange-looking front suspension system that's claimed to enhance safety and the "tailor-made" version, where buyers can combine favored aspects of any of the other available designs. Two other models have now been added to the catalog - one featuring customer-specified artwork and the other covered in sparkly gems and gold or silver trim... Continue Reading M55 expands Terminus e-bike range

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Bicycle, Luxury, Pedal-assisted

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Aprilia pimps the world's fastest scooter to remain at the forefront of the super-commuter class

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:39:36 -0600

The scooter and motorcycle are morphing into a new class of two-wheeled machine, with the power, acceleration, braking and roadholding of the motorcycle, and carrying capacity, weather protection, comfort, safety and ease-of-use of the scooter. The SRV 850 is Aprilia's performance version of the Gilera GP800, which was already the world's fastest and most powerful scooter. It is now a red-blooded Italian V-twin sports bike with a CVT (no gears) and the acceleration to smoke a Bugatti Veyron at legal speeds. With Honda's Integra due to be unveiled in Tokyo, and new entries from BMW, the superscooter class is burgeoning in response to the need for this new class of super commuter... Continue Reading Aprilia pimps the world's fastest scooter to remain at the forefront of the super-commuter class

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Aprilia, BMW, Emissions Control, Honda, Scooter, World's Fastest

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New intuitive release binding system separates riders from their board

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:18:13 -0600

Andy Keel, the man behind the Motorcrossboard, has developed a new binding system to minimize the risk of injury for not only riders of his company’s vehicles, which he describes as essentially stand-on light motorcycles, but for participants in a range of boardsports. The intuitive release binding (IRB) system, which is designed for any boardsport that sees the rider connected securely to the board, features a binding that allows the rider to separate themselves from the board at will by releasing their grip on a handheld control. .. Continue Reading New intuitive release binding system separates riders from their board

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bindings, Off-road, Snowboarding

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Fizik Kurve bike saddle goes for the flex appeal

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:10:47 -0600

Fizik is a company probably best known for making bicycle saddles designed for racers, where light weight is everything and comfort is pretty low on the scale. Brooks, on the other hand, is famous for its very comfortable leather saddles, which most racers wouldn’t allow anywhere near their sleek, streamlined steeds. It’s interesting, therefore, that Fizik’s latest saddle, the Kurve, uses the same principle employed by Brooks. It’s good news for sore-bummed racers... Continue Reading Fizik Kurve bike saddle goes for the flex appeal

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bicycles, Cycling, Ergonomic, Seat

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Toyota to show autonomous Prius hybrid and home energy charging station at Tokyo Motor Show

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:55:14 -0600

Toyota is to show an autonomous (self-driving) Prius at Tokyo Motor Show. Dubbed the Toyota AVOS (Automatic Vehicle Operation System), the car will be available for members of the public to take "back seat" rides at the show, demonstrating first hand how the Prius can avoid obstacles, be summoned from a parking garage and park itself. There will also be a demonstration of communications-linked electric cars, scooters and electric-assisted bicycles including what is expected to be Yamaha's first production electric scooter. .. Continue Reading Toyota to show autonomous Prius hybrid and home energy charging station at Tokyo Motor Show

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Autonomous Vehicle, DARPA, Electric Vehicles, Tokyo Motor Show 2011, Toyota, Volkswagen, Yamaha

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Suzuki's tandem two-seater Q-concept micro car

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:14:13 -0600

Suzuki's Q-Concept is a narrow-track, lightweight tandem two-seater, "positioned between conventional motorcycles and cars" according to the Japanese manufacturer. Two years ago at the last Tokyo Motor Show, we did a major article and video on narrow-track vehicles, forecasting that cars would get smaller and lighter, and the Q-Concept fits the bill perfectly. .. Continue Reading Suzuki's tandem two-seater Q-concept micro car

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Concept Cars, Renault, Suzuki, Tokyo Motor Show 2011

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Honda's electric Canopy (Gyro) 3-wheeler

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:42:06 -0600

Honda has finally added electric propulsion to one of its most enduring and successful commuter vehicles – the Japan-only three-wheeled scooter. Used extensively throughout Japan's congested urban environment as a commuter and delivery vehicle with a 50cc four-stroke motor, the Honda Canopy (aka Gyro) delivers 100 mpg. Converting the well-protected three wheeler, with its capacious cargo space, to an electric-only vehicle is a no-brainer and is certain to create an insatiable demand in non-domestic markets everywhere... Continue Reading Honda's electric Canopy (Gyro) 3-wheeler

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Vehicles, Honda, Three Wheel, Tokyo Motor Show 2011

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KKL readies Gocycle G2 for March 2012 release

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:22:56 -0600

When the very last model of the award-winning first generation Gocycle electric bicycle was sold in February of this year, Karbon Kinetics Limited immediately announced plans to develop an updated version. The technical specifications have now been finalized and a manufacturing partner secured - so let's have a closer look at the upcoming Gocycle G2... Continue Reading KKL readies Gocycle G2 for March 2012 release

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bicycle, Electric Bicycle, Pedal-assisted

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RYNO self-balancing electric one-wheeler - just don't call it a scooter

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:10:38 -0500

When it comes to self-balancing personal transportation devices, it looks like the Solowheel, Honda U3-X, Uno and Segway could all be in for a little competition. Portland, Oregon-based RYNO Motors is currently in the process of launching its own entry in the weird-little-electric-vehicles race, which it appropriately calls the RYNO. Like Bombardier’s EMBRIO concept, it has just one wheel. If nothing else, that’ll definitely get riders noticed... Continue Reading RYNO self-balancing electric one-wheeler - just don't call it a scooter

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Electric Motorcycle, Scooter, Self-balancing

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New mudguards for cyclists who don't "do" fenders

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:46:13 -0500

If you want to stay as dry and clean as possible when riding your bike on wet roads, get yourself a proper set of full fenders - it's just that simple. There are a lot of cyclists, however, who feel that fenders make their lean, mean, street-ridin' machines look boring and clunky. Additionally, many types of fenders have an annoying way of rubbing, rattling, or just plain getting in the way. While some quick-on/quick-off systems do already exist, most of them still incorporate permanent mounting brackets, or are made from thin plastic that has a tendency to droop. Full Windsor's QuickFix plastic mudguard, however, slides in and out of place within seconds, yet still looks like it's reasonably substantial... Continue Reading New mudguards for cyclists who don't "do" fenders

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bicycles, Cycling, Rain

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USB port-packing Starke bikes deliver pedal-powered mobile charging

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:39:48 -0500

With the proliferation of battery-hungry mobile devices that people now carry on their person when biking, we've seen a number of solutions designed to keep said devices charged up while on the go - from solar charging clothing and backpacks to add-on dynamo kits that allow devices to be charged via USB using power captured by the rider's pedaling. German bicycle maker Silverback has seen the need here and addressed it with its Starke 1 and 2 models, both of which feature a USB port powered by a dynamo hub... Continue Reading USB port-packing Starke bikes deliver pedal-powered mobile charging

Section: Urban Transport

Tags: Bike, USB

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