Feeling the Squeeze: Juiced Bikes Declares Bankruptcy
Plus, we review incredible new e-bikes from Velotric, Mod and OKAI.
Welcome to Ride Review, your weekly roundup of new tech and vehicle launches in the world of micromobility.
Btw have you booked your passes to Micromobility America (Nov 14-15) yet? Tickets to our SoCal tradeshow are going fast, so if you want to take part in two days of unbeatable networking, programming, and demos with micromobility’s brightest minds, don’t delay: Register now.
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What You Need to Know Today
The Ride Review crew has been extra busy lately testing a new crop of amazing e-bikes. Check out their latest video reviews here ⬇️
“The Torquiest Folding E-bike I've Ever Ridden!” - Test-riding the new OKAI FlexMov
“Small package, big utility” is how we’d sum up the Mod City+ Step-Through 3
Last but not least, Velotric’s Summit 1 is a “do everything” adventure utility bike that you do not want to sleep on.
San Diego e-bike pioneer Juiced Bikes declared bankruptcy and auctioned off its branding, IP, remaining inventory, and assets for $1.2 million. The winning bidder is unknown at this time.
Sadly Energica, one of the original e-moto pioneers is declaring bankruptcy too. The company, which plans to liquidate its assets to pay off creditors, is also caught up in a labor dispute with its employees over contracted pay.
Microlino takes its roof off with the new Spiaggina. This fun variation of the popular microcar forgoes side and rear windows making it ideal for sunny trips around your favorite European beach destination.
UK-based BackPedal is a theft recovery service that uses GPS trackers, Bluetooth beacons, and an intrepid team of bike hunters to recover 89% of stolen e-bikes.
Relatedly, Voom is making it easier for e-bike owners to protect their investments. Originally a motorcycle insurer, the company is now offering e-bike insurance that covers liability protection, physical damage coverage, theft protection, and even medical payments.
Or, if you don’t want your e-bike stolen in the first place, you could disguise it to look like an electrical box…
In its push to launch 30 new models of two-wheeled EVs by 2030, Honda is taking a regional approach. This week, the Japanese OEM launched two new commuter e-mopeds exclusively for the Indonesian market: the CUV e: and ICON e:
Honda also announced a new RTL Electric competition trial bike, to compete in the 2024 Motorcycle Federation of Japan, All Japan Trial Championship Series. The RTL Electric will build on the legacy platform of the Montesa COTA 4RT trial bike which has been ridden to 18 consecutive consecutive Trial World Championship titles.
Royal Enfield has dropped a teaser for its long-awaited electric motorcycle in a new video. The upcoming model will be officially unveiled next month.
Meanwhile, at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, Renault unveiled its new Heritage Spirit Scrambler electric moto.
MiRider is filling the gap between its 16” and 24” wheel size models with the new MiRider 20 folding e-bike. The 20” wheel model will be available in a single- and three-speed option. The MiRider 20 will be available for pre-order at the end of October, with shipments starting in November.
Bo Mobility is expanding into Ireland. In contrast to the UK’s restrictive stance on e-scooters, the Green Isle’s more progressive regulations made it a natural fit for Bo. Lifty Electric in Dublin will serve as the company’s retail and service center.
P.S. Does your work involve managing fleets of e-bikes, e-scooters, and the like? This interesting new whitepaper discusses the advantages of combining GNSS modules with a broad range of connectivity options (antenna, RTK correction services, design review) into a “one-stop-shop” solution that could transform your high-precision IoT projects.
Download the whitepaper for your chance to enter to win a free ticket to Micromobility America next month in Southern California.
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