Pull up on the center of this electric bicycle’s frame and the whole thing instantly folds in half, making it easy to tote the smart-phone-connected bike virtually anywhere in the city. The Gi ‘FlyBike’ aims to revolutionize urban commuting with ultimate portability, zero maintenance requirements and an electric system that helps riders ascend tough hills. It’s crafted from ultra-lightweight aircraft grade aluminum, weighing in at just 37 pounds.
The three speed assistance propelling motor gets 64 kilometers (39.7 miles) per charge and can sync with both Androids and iPhones, offering up a GPS tracking system, hands-free navigation system and smart-lock anti-theft system. It’s got full-size 26” wheels, anti-puncture tires that still provide a comfortable ride, and a “trousers-friendly” non-grease belt drive.
You can charge your phone while you’re riding, and smart lights come on automatically after dark when the bike is in use. The FlyBike achieves a top speed of 15mph on the highest level of electric assistance, but you can go faster by pedaling if you’re not in a heavily-trafficked urban area. It takes about four hours to fully charge the battery using an ordinary power outlet.
A mobile app lets you control the lights, lock the bike automatically, loan it to a friend and keep tabs on its location. You can program it to lock automatically when it detects that your phone is 10 feet away from the folded bike.The Gi FlyBike is currently raising funds for production on Kickstarter, and the rewards that’ll get you one of your own start at $1,990.
