Volkswagen -a major car brand that has not been tied to electric bikes before- unveiled a new electric bike called the bik.e at the Auto China 2010 show. The bike is designed to fold up and fit into the spare tire area of a car. Bik.e is a very cool looking piece of mobility art that looks a little like a small bicycle without the pedals. The battery-powered device has definitely been designed with both form and function in mind: the whole thing folds quickly down into a flat disc that fits quite nicely into the spare tire compartment found in the bottom of most trunks.
While auto shows are known for their concepts that never see the light of day, we are told there are plans to actually commercialize this machine, though it probably won't come as an option with your next VW. With a range of 20 kilometers (12.5 miles), it's not meant for long distance treks but rather as a supplement to your car. Its official top speed is 20 km/h (12.5 miles per hour) to allow Germans to ride it helmetless, though word on the street says the version at the show could go much faster. No mention was made about how long it takes to charge, but apparently the bik.e's batteries can be replenished by a car's DC current as well as a typical AC plug.
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