Bicycles

Ridekick provides an electric boost to regular bicycles

Ridekick provides an electric boost to regular bicycles
The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
View 14 Images
The Ridekick's battery-charging system
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The Ridekick's battery-charging system
The Ridekick's throttle mechanism
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The Ridekick's throttle mechanism
The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
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The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
The Ridekick's microcontroller and battery pack
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The Ridekick's microcontroller and battery pack
The underside of the Ridekick
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The underside of the Ridekick
The Ridekick's chain drive system
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The Ridekick's chain drive system
The complete Ridekick package
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The complete Ridekick package
The Ridekick's hitching mechanism
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The Ridekick's hitching mechanism
The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
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The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
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The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
The Ridekick's built-in combination lock
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The Ridekick's built-in combination lock
The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
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The Ridekick is a motorized bicycle trailer, that gives a power boost to standard non-motorized bicycles
The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
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The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
A side view of the Ridekick
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A side view of the Ridekick
View gallery - 14 images

Although some cycling purists may sneer at them, electric bicycles certainly do come in handy when hills need to be climbed on morning commutes, or loads need to be hauled. E-bikes can be quite expensive, however, plus their motors and batteries make them heavy and clunky when their electric-assist feature isn't being used. That's where the Ridekick ...well, where it kicks in. The motorized trailer quickly hooks onto an existing bicycle, pushing it to speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h), for a distance of about 12 miles (19 km) per charge. When you want your regular ol' human-powered bike back, you just unhook it and go.

The Ridekick has a 24-volt sealed lead acid battery pack that takes four to six hours to charge, and that powers a 500-watt electric motor. A chain drive runs from that motor to the axle, at the left-hand wheel. Speed is controlled by a handlebar-mounted throttle, that is hardwired to a microprocessor in the trailer.

Initial installation of the mounting mechanism on the bicycle's rear axle is said to take under 12 minutes for most bikes, with subsequent hook-ups and releases of the trailer taking less than 15 seconds.

The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo
The Ridekick can hold 11 US gallons (42 liters) of cargo

In a clever bit of engineering, the trailer has some extra cargo space, so it serves as more than just a receptacle for the motor and battery. Riders can cram in a maximum of 11 US gallons (42 liters) of stuff, then secure the lid using its built-in combination lock. The trailer weighs about 45 pounds (20 kg), without any rider-added cargo.

The Ridekick can be purchased via the company website for US$699, and can be seen in action in the video below.

Source: Inhabitat

Ridekick Power Trailers Zipping Through Town

View gallery - 14 images
8 comments
8 comments
Mexoplex 5 Million
i liked it better when it was called a \'moped\'
Keith Reeder
Now that is a smart idea..!
SpaceBagels
A reallly good example of a smart new idea application: Adapt it to use with EXISTING technology and have more than one advantage.
Though I think it\'s better to have it belt driven than using a chain.
Mr Stiffy
Handy and light.
Our regulations in Australia totally SUCK by limiting any pedal assist to 200 Watts.
Stewart Mitchell
I can see space for a future fuel cell charger system in the cargo hold
Slowburn
re; SpaceBagels
Chains are more efficient.
SamD
Hang on, this isn\'t news. Nor is it state of the art, nor innovative. Lots of us have been making push trailers for years. It doesnt have lithium batteries, and I\'m not even sure the motor is brushless. Most handmade ones would at least include a ~40watt solar charger. And the 500 watt motor would fail EU conditions as well as AU.
Looks pretty, but this just isn\'t new news.
Anthony Collett
If you have better design, put it in to production. I\'d be interested in one of these.