Sponsored by ELECTRIC BIKES
New e-bike conversion kit coming to market
Another cycle innovation turns to crowd funding instead of traditional funding to bring a fresh product line closer to mass production
By Jonathon Harker
THREE YEARS after winning a national competition and scooping £50,000 in the process, Stephen Britt’s retro-fit electric conversion system has taken a step closer to market. University of Brighton graduate Britt is planning to turn to crowd funding to bring his power system that turns bicycles into e-bikes to production. The battery-powered motor and
gearbox continuously propels a bike for up to ten miles before needing recharging. The lightweight mechanism can reportedly be fitted to any bike in just 15 minutes and will allow the full range of gears to be used in the normal way. Britt has previously won a University of
Brighton Innovation prize as well as the National Barclays Bank ‘Take One Small Step’ competition. Three years on and the product has been developed further. Britt is currently conducting product development and usability trials. Britt said: “Initially the product will be
trialled with small user groups and designs will be updated based on feedback. Crowdsourcing will be used to create pre- sales. This is likely to be towards the end
“This is a chance to open up powered
cycling to the masses. This is real game- changing, disruptive technology.” Stephen Britt
of the year. Once significant volume can be reached the system will be able to retail for less than £250, considerably less than competing products.” Britt came up with his idea while sitting in a car in a traffic jam driving to work at the University of Brighton. The former computer science student and technician
in the university’s School of Education at Falmer, said that it made him think: “How can I beat the congestion and ease the struggle of climbing hills on a bike?” Britt commented on the potential of
the invention: “The system has real potential to revolutionise cycling and how people use bikes.
Electric cargo bikes come to the UK
Brand targets second car market with electric powered cargo bike alternative
VÉLO ELECTRIQUE cargo bikes have launched in Britain, aiming to provide affordable electric cargo bikes to the nation’s consumers. The Poole-based firm was set up just under a year ago by the Davies family. Initially looking to save money and energy with the bikes, the family went on to take the step to establish Vélo Electrique, which is being touted as the first company to offer electric power as standard to the cargo bike sector.
BIKEBIZ.COM
Pitched as an affordable alternative to the second car in the UK, the bikes start from £1,395. The firm said: “Around 40 per cent of all
car trips have been found to be just two miles in length – a cargo bike is the perfect solution to replace the car on these short journeys. A cargo bike can be used to replace a car on trips such as the school run, supermarket run and recreational trips, saving petrol and parking fees.
“You may be spending a little
more than you would on a standard bike but the savings you'll make in the long term far outweigh the initial costs and allow you to carry children, shopping or pets without having to struggle with any uphill sections whilst still getting a workout, the level of which you control.” There’s more information at
www.veloelectrique.co.uk or via
info@veloelectrique.co.uk
“A cargo bike is a perfect solution to
replace a car on short journeys.”
Velo Electrique BIKEBIZ FEBRUARY 57
“This is the opportunity to open up
powered cycling to the masses, globally. This is real game-changing, disruptive technology.” Britt’s story will be told in a Sky TV
programme focusing on UK inventors set to be broadcast later this year.
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