Source: AFP
Electric bike makers at CES touted nifty features like ChatGPT as they ride a trend of people who want to enjoy a breeze on their face without sweat on their brow.
About 44 million “e-bikes” were sold worldwide last year, and that number is expected to exceed 77 million by the year 2030, according to Statista.
Sales of e-bikes are outpacing sales of electric cars, according to data and companies showing off their latest models at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that wraps up in Las Vegas on Friday.
“Bikes are fun,” said Futurum Group research director Olivier Blanchard, a self-confessed cyclist.
“There’s something about the freedom of being on a bike, out in the open feeling the sun and the wind on your skin.”
And with e-bikes, that enjoyment comes with knowing you won’t have to pedal hard on hills or exert a lot of energy if you’re tired.
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China-based Urtopia grabbed attention at this year’s AI-obsessed CES by introducing an e-bike with built-in chatbot ChatGPT capabilities.
Riders can speak to a smartphone-sized control panel mounted in the center of the handlebars, asking it to find a fun one-day Las Vegas bike tour.
The bike could also be asked to map out a rider’s route, with the right or left handlebar grip vibrating to signal which way to turn so they can keep their eyes on the road.
“I don’t think the world needs another regular e-bike,” said Urtopia CEO Bo Zhang, gesturing to his company’s latest model.
“Everything is connected, everything is smart. This is definitely the future.”
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Also based in China, scooter maker Okai started making e-bikes after seeing the trend pick up speed in Europe as cities began to reopen after Covid-19 shutdowns, Jia Ren said at the company’s CES booth.
People wanted the convenience and cost savings of getting around cities by bike and were averse to public transport because of concerns about Covid, Wren said.
E-bikes are especially popular with younger people who are used to the mode of transportation and with “the older crowd” who want to stay active but may be dealing with aging issues, such as knee problems, he added.
“E-bikes give people a chance to relax, to be lazy,” Wren said.
“A traditional cyclist needs to pedal all the time to keep going.”
Without sweat
US regulations limit the top speed of an e-bike to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour), which is close to a typical speed limit on city streets.
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Sports e-bike models at CES featured carbon fiber frames to reduce weight and battery systems designed to maximize range.
Some bikes had rugged designs for rough terrain or heavy loads, with pockets and racks for groceries, briefcases or other cargo.
The Okais were built with hidden spots behind the battery for Apple Air Tags or other small tracking devices to find if stolen.
E-bikes are also a cheap, easy way to get around compared to the cost of owning a car.
“You don’t need a car to do everything you need to do,” Blanchard said.
“If there’s a scary hill or I’m too loaded or I just don’t want to get to work or home sweaty, I can just let the bike do the work.”
Source: AFP