Folding bicycles are not a novelty and have been around for quite a while. However, a folding electric bike is definitely something very novel. Mando’s ‘Footloose’ is a first in this arena, doubling as both an electric bike as well as a normal bicycle which you could pedal. Moreover, it neatly folds over so that you can easily carry it around.
Mando collaborated with Meister in creating this unique bicycle. According to reports, Footloose can easily go for a straight 18.6 mile run with the motor. Once the motor is exhausted, you can start pedalling it like a regular bike.
What is even more exciting about this bicycle is that the bike packs a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in its motor. You simply have to use the pedals and from the power generated by the user himself, the battery will recharge. This essentially means that after going on a haul using the motor’s power, you can pedal some distance ahead and that would recharge the motor, yet again.
Such a bike is absolutely ideal for situations where you want to cover longer distances on a bicycle without tiring yourself off. Footloose also features an electronic control unit (ECU). This ECU relies on a number of sensors in the bike and automatically shifts its gears depending on the kind of terrain a user is travelling on.
What also makes this nifty drive stand apart from regular bicycles is that it doesn’t have a chain, which deletes a lot of clunkiness. When done with the drive, you can neatly fold over the bike and carry it around. The bike is expected to hit the European market by the start of 2013. Watch the video below to see the bike spring to life.
Source: Mando
Courtesy: Tree Hugger
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