So if you’re living anywhere outside the US, you’re sitting on an electric bike right now. It seems we’re the only country in which electric-assist bikes like this haven’t caught on. Maybe it’s because of our obsession with gigantic, gas-guzzling SUVs we never use for their intended purpose. But I digress. The fact is that other countries have found electric bikes practical in pretty good volume for some time now, and we’re late to the game. But Sanyo thinks the time has come for us to zoom around in future-bikes.
We got a bunch of feet-on time with the eneloop bike, and we all found it a blast to ride. Although it does have a “step-through” design that’s present on female bikes where I’m from, it’s a decent looking thing, and will come in a carbon fiber version soon as well.
The eneloop bike adjusts its boost depending on how hard you pedal and what mode you’re in. If you google the thing, you’ll find all the specs — battery size and all that. It’s been around for a while now but it’s just now starting to be pushed on our shores. It’ll cost you $2300 at the moment, which is pretty serious cash, but you can consider it an alternative to a scooter or used car, depending on your needs.