Bicycles are undoubtedly an increasingly popular mode of transportation around the world. About ten or twenty years ago, you might have associated bicycle riders to shorts wearing health freaks. But today, you think of the bicycle as a mode of transportation for pretty much anyone. The only reason one might not take to bicycle riding on a daily basis, is the hassle of pedaling. Understandably, pushing one’s own weight forward without the aid of any external agency might seem like a tiring experience to many. Especially if they have to consider doing it every day.
That is where an innovation like the eCortina bicycle comes in. There already are motorized bicycles around the world that assist riders with the pedaling. There are also bicycles that move forward without any assistance from the rider at all. But the eCortina, designed by Roy Prince, can do both. The motor can move the bike forward either with the help of the rider or without. You can also pedal the bike without any assistance of the motor. This bicycle, which once used to be a regular mountain bike, comes with motors that are powered by electronically monitored lithium-polymer batteries. The batteries are monitored by RC chargers so they aren’t over-charged or over-depleted. The bike also comes with a Shimano Nexus rear hub, which is a 3 speed transmission system that helps increase efficiency.
While the performance specifics aren’t properly recorded yet, the designer estimates that the bike can travel about 15 miles (24 kilometres) on one full charge with the assistance of some pedaling. The designer plans on adding a couple of more batteries hoping to increase this distance by about 8 miles (13 kilometers). The bike can also do an impressive top speed of 45mph (72kph), using just the motor to drive it forward. The bike weighs 60 pounds (27 kilograms), which is relatively high for a bicycle. But this does not matter for the designer, as he does not even think of his creation as a bicycle. He thinks of it as, to quote his own words, “a motor bike with human assist”. The exact specifications of the bicycle can be seen here.
Via Gizmag
