Tech

This electric bike could change the way we commute in cities

Leanna Garfield

2015-11-09T17:18:00Z

There's nothing like that feeling of whizzing by on a bike during rush-hour standstill.

Dutch company Biomega recently designed an electric bike with a sleek design that could finally convince more people to ditch cars and adopt bikes. It's not just functional. Like a Mercedes or BMW, it speaks to the stylish identity of the rider. While most e-bikes look clunky, the OKO bike looks cool. All of its parts are streamlined, and the motor hides inside its carbon frame.

To create it, Biomega worked with KiBiSi, a company co-founded by designer Jens Skibsted and architect Bjarke Ingels. For $2,295, you can pre-order the OKO from Austere, with shipping slated for December.

The 40-pound bike includes a 2,500-watt motor that powers as you pedal. For hills and long distances, the bike provides extra power. Riders can travel up to 25 miles with a single charge.

The motor is located in the center of the frame, instead of the back (like most e-bikes), distributing the weight evenly.

The stylish bike features an aluminum handlebar and integrated fender in the frame. Its body is made of the same material as Formula 1 race cars.

Mudguards sit at the front and rear of the bike. The OKO comes in three sizes, including options for eight and 11-gear speeds.

OKO_White_04 — The rear of the OKO. KiBiSi

KiBiSi and Biomega built the bike for city commuters. They hope that its smart design will convince them to switch from cars to bikes.

"If the bike industry wants to compete with cars, it needs to be able to assert themselves by creating brands," Skibsted tells Fast Company. Less cars and more bikes would cut greenhouse emissions and free up space in cities, he says. Smartly designed electric transportation could solve these woes.

"If the bike industry wants to compete with cars, it needs to be able to assert themselves by creating brands," Skibsted tells Fast Company. Fewer cars and more bikes would cut greenhouse emissions and free up space in cities, he says. Smartly designed electric transportation could solve these woes.

Transportation