This all-rounder urban e-bike will make any commute a smooth and joyful riding experience

Personal mobility devices are all the rage these days, but among all of them, the electric bicycle or e-bike is the most satisfying option. It adds motorized assistance and smart features to the equation without removing the enjoyment of using your body’s power to move forward. E-bikes combine the best of both worlds, allowing people to travel farther, faster, easier, and safer, while still offering the unique thrills that only foot-powered bikes can bring. Their popularity has resulted in a dizzying number of options in the market, but this new urban e-bike rises above the rest with its combination of advanced features, sleek design, and a price tag to die for, taking your rides to the next level and beyond.

Designer: ADO Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,417 $2,405 (41% off). Hurry, only 21/50 left! Raised over $110,000.

There are a number of criteria that an e-bike needs to meet the challenge of daily commutes, and the new ADO Air 28 manages to check all the right boxes and then some. Performance is definitely not an issue thanks to its 250W/350W (depending on the model) brushless hub motor that delivers the boost you need without making its presence heard. The Samsung Battery disguised as a seat post delivers an astounding range of up to 100 km in a discreet and stylish design that makes it trivial to remove and charge as needed.

Smart Torque Sensor – Conquer steeper slopes with ease, maintaining effortless control throughout.

Care-free Carbon Belt – “Unchain” your ride with the maintenance-free carbon belt that can last up to 30,000 KM.

Long-Range Samsung Battery – Provides up to an impressive 100km range.

Convenience and comfort don’t take a backseat either. A smart torque sensor detects your pedaling with precision to determine how much boosting power you need, ensuring a smooth and effortless ride even on steeper slopes. A care-free carbon belt throws away the biggest and dirtiest problem of traditional bikes, promising noise-free, maintenance-free, and rust-free riding for up to 30,000 km. An adjustable lockout suspension fork puts you in control of different terrains, and puncture-resistant tires bring peace of mind when navigating roads of all kinds.

All-Weather Power and Comfort – Hydraulic disc brakes deliver powerful stopping power in all weather conditions.

Double Anti-theft System – Keep your battery secure with their unique lock design, while the street wise bell hides an AirTag/SmartTag, adding extra security against bike theft.

Of course, rider safety is also a priority, and the ADO Air 28 e-bike proves its smart design here once again. Hydraulic disc brakes deliver the stopping power you need, no matter the kind of weather you’re riding in. An E-Mark headlamp lights up your path with its bright, wide-angle LED, and its IPX5 rating makes sure it keeps working when it rains. At the same time, a waterproof taillight keeps you safe from behind, rain or shine. The ADO Air 28 can also keep itself safe, thanks to a unique lock design for the battery and the ability to hide an AirTag or Smart Tag inside the street-wise bell. All of these come together in a lightweight and elegant aluminum frame that’s sure to grab the attention and envy of anyone you pass by.

Comfortable Ride, Easy Control – Access real-time data and ensure safety during high-speed rides through our 3.5-inch waterproof display.

But wait, there’s more! This already advanced e-bike also carries its own 3.5-inch waterproof display that can access real-time data to ensure rider safety. It can even adjust the headlamp brightness depending on the environment. Combined with an intelligent mobile app that gives quick access to navigation and customer support, the ADO Smart System makes every ride a breeze. Don’t suffer through grueling traffic and exhausting cycling when you can get the ADO Air 28 e-bike and turn every commute and every ride into a joyful memory.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,417 $2,405 (41% off). Hurry, only 21/50 left! Raised over $110,000.

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Top 5 unusual bicycle designs that completely challenge traditional wheel designs

I’m team bicycle through and through! They are the most eco-friendly means of transportation, and also really fun to ride. They create zero emissions and encourage people to ditch the fossil fuel consuming and pollution-causing automobiles. And not to mention, not only are they healthy for the environment but for us as well. They promote good health and ensure you get your daily dose of exercise done, without even hitting the gym. In an attempt to encourage and celebrate bicycles, we’ve curated a collection of unique and innovative bicycle designs that will cater to everyone’s diverse bicycle-riding needs. These bicycles are super unusual and completely out-of-the-box and we doubt you’ve seen such cycle designs. From bikes with square-shaped wheels to bikes with triangle-shaped wheels – these cycles will completely catch your attention!

1. Q’s Wheelless Bike

The US-based YouTuber The Q recently pulled all the stops with his bicycle that has NO wheels! Q’s bicycle doesn’t have wheels, but it features rotating elements that help it move forward. The bike has been amped with two sets of wheel belts that are mounted at absurd angles to produce extremely attention-gripping silhouettes. As a result, the Wheelless Bike works like a tank, with the rotating wheel belts driving you and the bike forward.

2. Gordieiev’s Bicycle with Square Wheels

Sergii Gordieiev designed a bicycle with square wheels! What is really interesting to note is that the wheels on the bicycle don’t actually roll, but instead, the rubber on the conveyor belt-like platform rotates as you hit your foot on the pedal! If you want accurate representation – imagine a war tank moving on its metal tracks without any wheels, only it’s a bicycle, and the wheels are square-shaped!

3. Infinity All-wheel Drive Bicycle

Stuttgart-based designer Stephan Henrich, this innovative and uniquely shaped bicycle is one of the most out-of-the-box automotive designs I’ve seen in a long time. The all-wheel cruiser moves forward with the help of a monotyre-clip chain system that forms a temporary rim in the wheel sections, as well as a dental belt drive in the interior groove. The monotyre is powered via the central wheel as the crank generates the force required to churn the wheels.

4. Gordieiev’s Bicycle with Triangle Wheels

Designed by Sergii Gordieiev, this innovative bicycle features triangle-shaped wheels! The ingenious bicycle riding on wheels with rollers moves in a linear manner, forming adjacent lines between each one of the rollers and the flat surface it’s riding on. This enables the triangle wheels to overcome their limitation and roll more comfortably than presumed.

5. IEDEX

Called IEDEX, this electric bike is amped with sufficient space to store camping essentials without creating any sort of visual disparity. The e-bike has been designed with ad-hoc space to store two luggage bags in the frame itself. The bicycle frame doesn’t adopt the usual triangular or connected shape for structural integrity but rather adopts a unibody design.

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These two new large underground parking facilities in Amsterdam are designed to accomodate 11,000 bikes

The beautiful city of Amsterdam is known for its love of cycling, and almost everyone commutes almost all the time by bike. As fun and eco-friendly as cycling can be, parking your bicycles is a whole other issue, especially in a city as dynamic as Amsterdam. The city is known for being crowded with parked bikes, and the parking space never seems to be enough. In such an environment, the city of Amsterdam recently unveiled two massive bike parking spaces which are – underground!

Designer: Amsterdam City

Called ‘Stationsplein’ and ‘IJboulevard’, the two new stations are located next to Central Station, and can hold up to 11,000 bikes. This allows a lot of the space on the streets to be freed up. Stationsplein has been built under the Open Havenfront. It is a water body between the Prins Hendrikkade and the Stationseiland. The Stationsplein is currently the largest biking shed in Amsterdam, and it was opened to the public on January 28th, 2023. The garage can accommodate up to 7000 bikes and is well-connected to the Metro Hall, and the Amsterdam Central Station. On the other hand, the IJboulevard parking facility is located behind the Central Station, and it will open in February 2023.

These underwater bike sheds are truly a boon to the city of Amsterdam, as they are already providing plenty of ample parking space for the citizens. It allows pedestrians to park their bikes around the city’s main train station. It’s only been a couple of days since the first bike shed opened, but already the bike racks on the street look less cluttered, and the steady chunk of parked bicycles seems to have reduced. The area around the train station seems to be tidier and much more organized.

Larger pedestrian and bicycle paths have been built along with the two underground parking facilities. Streetcar stops and tracks have been replaced, and new underground cables and pipes have been added as well. “The opening of the new parking facilities marks the beginning of a new era, in which Amsterdam Central Station will be somewhat like it was around 1900. Accessible and pleasant, without cars and bicycles parked everywhere and nowhere. We are in good shape with the opening of the 2 new bicycle parking facilities, but we expect that there will be a greater need for bicycle parking spaces around the station. That is why we have already started preparations for even more parking spaces for bicycles,” said the Amsterdam representatives on the City’s official website.

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Moto Parilla Tricolore electric MTB has more carbon fiber than your favorite superbike

Italian automotive manufacturer Moto Parilla stands out from the competition with its out-of-the-box two-wheelers. Their Carbon and Ultra Carbon really intrigued my interest with the Cyberpunk looks. Now they’re back with another two-wheeler in the same league.

Meet the Tricolore electric MTB which is more of a full-blown performance two-wheeler for dirt tracks. The Reggio Emilia-based company is currently at the EICMA 2022 expo in Milan for the launch of this cheesy pedal-assisted enduro mountain bike.

Designer: Moto Parilla

Ditching the contemporary triangular structure found on most bikes on the road, the eMTB gets a fresh design for good measure. The two-wheeler has the basic functionality of an e-bike while having the durability of a tough mountain bike. This is the best combination one could ask for with the laurels of having more carbon fiber used for the monocoque chassis than some of the highly acclaimed superbikes on offer.

There’s carbon fiber being used for the single-sided swingarm and aerospace aluminum for the mechanical parts is a clear sign of the two-wheelers premium make. Environmental-friendly aspect comes in the form of fully recyclable hemp covers for covering the wires which is another plus. Unsurprisingly the eMTB weighs just 46 lb despite having a carbon-Kevlar crankcase with an integrated cooling system.

Tricolore is powered by a 250-W Polini E-P3+ MX mid-mount motor topping at 600 watts, generating 90 Nm of torque to take the e-bike at a top speed of 15.5 mph. For more driving options on the trails, the ride is loaded with a 12-speed SRAM gearset and an 880-Wh removable battery pack that adds 62 miles to the range. According to Moto Parilla, the bike has a very good balance courtesy of the high-grade suspension, and of course high maneuverability thanks to the lightweight carbon fiber frame.

The rider gets all the vital information on the brightness adaptive 2.5-inch color LCD display. Visibility is also sorted out with the frame-integrated front and rear lighting. Pricing and availability of Tricolore have not yet been revealed but expect a steep price tag. What’s known is, it will come in four variants – one of them having Bafang M620 motor producing 118 lb. ft of torque.

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Layer Design reveals the ultimate Pendler e-bike with modular accessories and high practicality quotient

Electric bike startups are popping up more frequently than ever – pitching economic means of transport without harming the environment. The London-based creative agency Layer Design has impressed us at Yanko Design with their creations, and their latest two-wheeler conceptual urban e-bike is no different.

The electric bicycle is built to be safer on the roads, ideal of modern lifestyle and better in performance than other options on the market. Christened the Pendler bike, it gets the name from Danish word pendling (meaning commuting), and is a nod to the country’s deep cycling culture.

Designer: Layer Design

The idea of this concept is centered on the U-shaped frame which is basically a thick structural element. This lends the two-wheeler an identifiable silhouette for on-off urban riding needs. Aesthetics and feasible performance of the Pendler are given much attention which is important for a design to materialize for mass production.

45Nm electric motor on the e-bike is concealed well within the frame and the detachable timber accessories add a dimension of practical usefulness to the e-bike. Layer Design has been mindful enough to bring built-in solutions to problems cyclists come across. Things such as bike storage or communication with surrounding traffic. According to Benjamin Hubert the creation solves a number of predicaments of daily city commute while keeping the tech driven positioning and aesthetics intact.

Pendler folds down flat for easy storage since handlebar rotates 90 degrees to align with the main frame and the pedals fold down flat. The wheels have been kept down to 20-inches to keep up the compact theme – good enough to carry on a public transport too. Modularity comes in the form of detachable and modular baskets on the front and rear. This gives rider the flexibility to add or remove these add-ons as per need.

The communication aspect is taken care of by the phone dock for navigation, height adjustable saddle and indicator lights on the handlebar. This way the rider doesn’t have to put his/her hand out to alarm other motorists. Pendler is powered by a swappable 25Wh battery that churns out 70 km range on single charge and top speed of 25 km/h.

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This modular bench concept gives bikers a place to park and sit

There is no shortage of ideas on how to give everyone a seat, especially outdoors. Of course, space for benches and chairs will always be a problem, whether it’s at a park or some vacant area in the middle of towering buildings. That’s not even considering yet those “in-between” places where people come and go a lot, only stopping by for a brief breather. Such resting places for cyclists, for example, are far and few in between, and they aren’t exactly designed for this segment of the world’s active population. That’s the very specific need that this bench concept is trying to address, giving cyclists a place to rest while still offering the option to accommodate a bunch of people at the same time.

Designer: Alonso Bastos Durán

Of course, there are public and outdoor spaces that cater to those who regularly take their bikes out, either for work, leisure, or exercise. In most cases, however, there is a single parking space for these bikes that are often a good distance away from where they might want to sit down and chill. Sure, that does force them to work their legs a bit more, but it might introduce inconveniences as well as concerns over the security of their metal steeds.

The Pinajarro Bench is designed to address those concerns by allowing bikers to park where they sit or vice versa. In a nutshell, the slots between the metal bars of this triangular structure might be very familiar to cyclists as a place to rest their wheels and chain their bikes down. At the same time, however, the bench can accommodate wooden or metal seats that hang over the top of that triangle, allowing the same bench to be both a parking slot and chair for cyclists at the same time, letting them catch their breath while keeping an eye on their bike.

The concept, however, goes beyond a single configuration. For example, the entire bench can be occupied by seats only, preventing anyone from parking their bikes. Conversely, it can have no seats at all and functions purely as a parking space. The orientation of the seats can very, letting people sit beside each other or back to back. Even the seats themselves can have variations in design. In one scenario, the back of the seat can have a flat flap that serves as a tray for drinks or other items for people sitting on that side.

The Pinajarro Bench can be made from a wide variety of materials, but the concept has a particular bias for sustainable options. The base itself will always be made from hard steel to give the structure balance and strength, but the seats can be made from wood or metal. The latter might be a better choice for benches that will be exposed to the elements 24/7. Regardless of the materials, the concept offers a sustainable and rather ingenious way to give bikers their own special space while still keeping the doors open for other seating configurations. It might even inspire other people to embrace a healthier lifestyle, knowing that there is a safe and comfortable place for them to rest when they need to.

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Top 10 bicycles designed to make urban commute eco-friendly

I’m team bicycle through and through! They are the most eco-friendly means of transportation, and also really fun to ride. They create zero emissions and encourage people to ditch the fossil fuel consuming and pollution-causing automobiles. And not to mention, not only are they healthy for the environment but for us as well! They promote good health and ensure you get your daily dose of exercise done, without even hitting the gym. In an attempt to encourage and celebrate bicycles, we’ve curated a collection of unique and innovative bicycle designs that will cater to everyone’s diverse bicycle-riding needs. From a revolutionary all-wheel-drive bicycle to a DIY wooden bicycle – there’s a cool bike in here for everyone!

1. The Infinity

Created by Stuttgart-based designer Stephan Henrich, this uniquely shaped bicycle is an out-of-the-box automotive design by a long way. The all-wheel beach and city cruiser is propelled forward by a monotyre-clip chain system which automatically forms a temporary rim in the wheel sections, as well as a dented belt drive in the interior groove. The monotyre is powered via the central wheel as the crank generates the force required to churn the wheels. The bicycle sets into motion with the help of the short-chain, and an 8-speed gearbox which is nothing like we have seen thus far.

2. Openbike

This bicycle made of plywood was created with an intent to get more people to focus on sustainability. The open-source design is called ‘Openbike’ and despite the obvious problems that come with a bike made from plywood, it is still an affordable and lightweight alternative for those who want to live on a budget but are also eco-conscious. You can download the files to build your own bike here! Architects Raquel Ares and Iñaki Albistur said, “It is a manifesto on sustainable urbanism, urban transport, distributed manufacturing, shared knowledge, the community, and the responsible use of resources, that materializes in the design of a non-polluting urban transport, the bicycle, that can be manufactured by its own use within the city where it is going to be used.”

3. Pilot

This bicycle centers on a lightweight 7005 series aluminum frame and striking hubless wheel characteristics. To finalize the hubless wheel design that is functional to the last detail, Franz took help from his mechanical engineering colleagues. In the end, the off-center axle design had the additional gear to spin the wheels at a proper rate with pedaling motion. This is assisted by the onboard motor for that extra boost on inclines when the throttle is pressed. The Pilot bicycle finally came to life after countless edits and alterations to the design. The next step was to finalize the colors, materials, and finishes.

4. Loop

City bikes are designed to be intuitive for smooth, easy rides. When coasting between traffic and stoplights, a city bike ride should feel lightweight and nimble. Through a unique approach in designing his city bike, Gaëtan Francq created Loop, a compact city bike whose parts were developed around the bike’s looped frame to deliver a fully-contained, sleek ride. As eye-catching as Loop’s frame might be, the city bike from Gaëtan Francq Studio comes through with a lot more perks. Starting out with Loop’s handlebar, which comes packed with Bluetooth connectivity, the city bike’s simplified GPS is contained here to ensure riders won’t lose their way in new cities or on unfamiliar roads. Just below Loop’s handlebar, a storage compartment fills out the bike’s looped saddle tube, allowing riders to bring items like bottles of water or even wine along with them for the ride.

5. Prototype o

Called Prototype 0, this velodrome track racing bicycle imagined for speed heads shines out with its unibody design that’s centered on drag reduction and aerodynamic optimization for maximum acceleration with minimum effort. The ultra-slim profile of the Prototype helps in achieving the least possible aerodynamic drag which is great for effortless commuting. The bike is a fixie – a single-speed gear bicycle that is tailored for urban riding for extra degree control. Don’t expect it to be as good for steep ascends or rugged terrain, as it’s purely designed to be a racing demon for smooth tarmac surfaces. The presence of a bigger gear shaft means that the control is going to be the ride’s forte.

6. Carbon

While on the first impression you might mistake (anyone would) this for a powerful electric bike ready to take on any terrain – it in reality is something more subtle. Yes, this is in reality a pedal-powered electric bicycle dubbed ‘Carbon’, crafted at Moto Parilla, an Italian automotive designer house. Meant to traverse any rough terrain with electric motor-assisted power when needed, the pedal-powered bicycle comes with the reassurance of fat wheels for superior grip. The wheels are perfectly synced with the equally big oversized disc brakes and the hydraulic brakes. The composite carbon fiber and aluminum body further gives the bike a very modern appeal for new-age rider’s delight. Not to mention the toughness, agility, and durability the material brings to the ride.

7. CeramicSpeed

CeramicSpeed’s new drivetrain removes the ubiquitous chain that’s synonymous with two-wheelers for a drivetrain that’s mess-free, low on friction, and amazing looking. A rotating shaft replaces the need for a greasy chain, and it works spectacularly well, say the people at CeramicSpeed, reducing friction by as much as 49%. Where chains usually wrap around toothed gears, pulling individually at each tooth, causing sliding friction at each point, the ‘Driven’ chainless drivetrain has just two points of contact, where the pedals interface with the rotating shaft, and where the shaft transfers the rotation to the rear wheel. At these points, CeramicSpeed introduces ceramic ball bearings on the shaft, causing less friction as the bearings push against the teeth of the gears and rotate too, resulting in an extremely smooth movement.

8. The AEROCARRIER

City bicycles are diverse. Some of them are designed to carry heavy loads, others for speed. What if bicyclists want to use their bicycles for more than solely for speed performance – but also for logistics. What if they don’t want to be forced, to always wear backpacks, even if they only want to carry a raincoat, EDC, or basic shopping supplies. The AEROCARRIER gives bicycles the additional storage they deserve. Just like most scooters that come with storage below the seat, the AEROCARRIER straps to the back of any cycle seat, giving you 3 liters of fully secure, waterproof storage. Designed to bring the perspective of basic logistics to an otherwise designed-for-performance machine, the AEROCARRIER lets you carry supplies and emergency items like a reflective vest, med-kits, or even spares like bike tubes or a repair kit. It brings the practicality needed to city cycles.

9. The Wing Cycle

This stunning roadster bike looks to the sky for avian inspiration! It’s called the Wing Cycle and its frame veers from the traditional diamond shape, instead of adopting the form of a bird wing structure. This includes a mesmerizing cable wire design that supports the seat. Furthermore, the cable rope system can be adjusted to change the position of the seat for different riding modes. Clad in a beautiful material blend of chrome, leather, and wood, the result is skeletal yet sleek and entirely different than anything out there.

10. METL bike tires

Just when you thought tubeless bike tires are the best thing on the road for your bicycle, the next revolution has arrived. The very technology that NASA uses in its Mars rover and lunar mission, has now made it through to the consumer-oriented arena in the form of METL tire developed by the startup Smart Tire Company, who’ve licensed the technology to bring to the bicycle lanes in the near future. The airless METL bike tires are crafted out of the Shape Memory Alloy Radial Technology (SMART) – made from strong (like titanium), lightweight yet ultra-elastic material (like rubber) known as NiTinol+. This magic material according to Smart Tire Company, “rearranges its molecular structure when you bend it, but instantly goes back to its original shape, perfectly.”

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This two-piece floating rotor for bicycles improves braking performance + increases service life considerably

Heat degradation can wear down the rotors on a bicycle, thereby adversely affecting the disks and the overall braking performance too. Also, the brake pads create abnormal noises due to this problem as the disk continues to rub against the brake pad. This all is attributed to the rotors wrapping in different amounts while braking. Most modern bicycles have hydraulic disc brakes as the standard which can cause such issues and a Taiwanese company wants to eliminate the evident issue with its innovative Two-Piece 3D Floating Rotor.

Obviously, a rider cannot control the overheating or deformation inherent to the hydraulic disks as rotors currently available on the market don’t spring back to position once they cool down. The new rotor design by PSB wants to address this problem with its elastic and floating outer disk. There are spring rivets on the back of the rotor that create insulation between the outer and inner discs which ultimately prevent deformation. The cuts on the 6th and 12th ribs bring elastic function that further aids in achieving the intended result.

Designer: PSB

When the rider brakes, the angle cuts provide support as the margin space reaches the threshold and doesn’t affect the disc strength. This gives the disc ample space to move freely and deform – in fact about 85% larger than currently used floating rotors. According to PSB, this design brings a 1.8mm thick rotor at par with a 2.0mm rotor. As a result of all this, the uneven clamping can also be avoided to bring top braking performance to the fore. Overall, the service life of the bicycle is hugely improved with this invention. An additional bonus is the application of this rotor design equally well for electric bicycles, making it a commercially viable solution.

This article was sent to us using the ‘Submit A Design’ feature.
We encourage designers/students/studios to send in their projects to be featured on Yanko Design!

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Alpen Basecamp is a snail-shaped smart capsule to keep your e-bike safe and dry

Your trusty electric steed now has a home it deserves, even when it means leaving it outdoors.

The past few years have seen an uptick in interest in all forms of bikes, from your typical pedal-powered variety to those that run on batteries. Personal mobility has become an important part of the daily life of some people, and so has been the stress of finding a place to secure their bikes while at rest. Even when just storing the bike at home, some people find it difficult to carve out some space for their two-wheeled companions, especially for the more expensive electric variety. Now your e-bike or large mountain bike doesn’t need to feel like a second-class citizen with this “capsule” storage that’s been upgraded to be just a wee bit smarter.

Designer: Alpen

We’ve seen Alpen’s Bike Capsule before as one of the more interesting ways to store a bike. If you don’t have a garage for your bike or a place to hang it but have plenty of ground outside your house, the capsule offers a mini storage space where the bike can remain secure and dry under the elements. It also has room for accessories and tools, so you don’t have to scramble for an air pump when you need to take care of a flat.

That was the “Classic” Bike Capsule, but Alpen is now announcing version 2.0 of the concept. Christened the “Basecamp” Bike Capsule, this next-gen bike storage gets a few upgrades, inside and out. The larger size and internal capacity now have enough room for larger bikes. It also now features an electronic lock that can be toggled via Bluetooth, so you can give friends, or family members access to your bike even remotely, as long as they have the app installed on their phone.

The more tech-savvy Alpen Basecamp was designed for more tech-savvy bikes as well. Unlike the Classic capsule, this newer model has enough room for e-bikes. Beyond just the capacity, however, there’s a rear opening that can connect to a power outlet so that the e-bike can charge inside and be ready for your journey the next time you take it out.

Aside from those new capabilities, the Basecamp still features the same rotomolded polyethylene body and ball bearing hinge “lid” that keeps the capsule’s contents hidden from prying eyes. But while these capsules provide a home for your bike at home, it doesn’t offer those same safety features and conveniences when you have to park your metal steed outside.

That’s why Alpen is also trying to woo businesses into adopting its capsules to give employees and customers a safer place to park their bikes. Alpen’s app can even geolocate Basecamps nearby so that bikers can ride with confidence, knowing that their bikes have a safe haven while they enjoy a cup of coffee or spend the entire day at work.

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This plant-based bike is made from natural fibers and glued together with plant resin

The Astan Bike is a plant-based bike made from natural fibers and glued together with plant resin.

You’ve heard of plant-based meat, but what about a plant-based bike? As society confronts the issue of overconsumption in light of climate change, the destructive aspect of manufacturing is coming to light. Mining for aluminum to make the bicycles we know and love requires a whole ton of energy and a lot of land.

Designers: Guilherme Pella and Nicolas Rutzen

Using heavy machinery, swaths of forests are cleared and pits of dirt are dug to mine for Bauxite, an ore that commonly contains aluminum. With hopes of changing the face of bicycle manufacturing, two designers, Guilherme Pella and Nicolas Rutzen got together to create Astan Bike, “a bike made of natural fibers that is lighter and stronger than aluminum bikes,” as the duo puts it.

Made using plant resin to glue each part together, the natural fibers that make the Astan Bike are measured and fit using laser-cutting technology. To achieve a stronger build than aluminum bikes, Pella and Rutzen developed a patented frame that is strengthened by its lattice structural pattern.

The lattice frame essentially follows the natural grain of the wood used to create each component of the bike, increasing the bike’s resistance. The lattice frame also allows the bike to absorb more impact and vibrations, which ultimately leads to an overall more comfortable ride.

While the bike’s engineering aspect is certainly impressive, the finished look of Astan Bike’s wooden frame exudes sophistication and timelessness. Deciding on the look of Astan Bike’s frame brought Pella and Rutzen back to the bicycle’s roots. The asymmetrical pattern of Astan Bike’s chassis resembles the organic network of tree roots in ode to the natural fibers that entirely make up the bike’s build.

Honing in on the bike’s biomimetic design, Pella and Rutzen also wanted to mimic the look of butterfly wings through the bike frame’s triangular pattern. In weight, the Astan Bike also resembles a light butterfly, amounting to a feathery weight of only 4.5kg. Towards the rear of the bike, two narrow triangles are also meant to emulate the look of human lungs.

Handing off the first prototype to leave Brazil, famed British architect Sir Norman Foster received the first Astan Bike from Pella and Rutzen. Known for his innovative, modernist designs of steel and glass, Foster is a key figure in the modern movement towards space management.

It seems fitting that Pella and Rutzen gifted Foster with the sustainable bike as they explain, “According to researchers from universities in Santa Catarina in Brazil, and São Carlos in São Paulo, ASTAN proved to be a 95% more sustainable production process than aluminum and carbon fiber.”

Famed English architect Sir Norman Foster was gifted the first Astan Bike to leave Brazil.

The natural grain of the wood gives the bike a unique look.

Different gradients of wood give Astan Bike a different look from each side.

The Astan Bike can be taken on any commute, from the pavement to the sand.

Lightweight and stronger than an aluminum frame, the Astan Bike is entirely made from natural plant fibers.

Reliable metal ware is integrated into the build of the Astan Bike to ensure a smooth, safe ride.

The Astan Bike is also built to absorb more pressure than aluminum bikes, leading to a more comfortable ride.

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