Catching up with the Conscious Commuter folding e-bike

Thinking back 10 to 15 years ago…perhaps in the Bicycle Encyclopedia…there was a similar “U” shaped non folding bike that had one interesting design feature that may be desirable to add to this bike: two holes for mounting on vehicle racks (or wall or dispensing from a bike share system) for transporting when not folded.

I’m interested in the idea that this product solves the “last mile” problem for transit. For me, the down sides of transit have always been the waiting time on the platform, and the steamy fug that fills the cabin when it’s raining (i.e., most of the year). Getting the last mile or whatever to my destination on arrival has never been a serious concern.

Does the last mile problem resonate with others on the board?

This frame design looks just like the old Yamaha Qt50 scooters! Even down to the shaft drive…though plus the pedals of course.

I like the idea of batteries integrated in the frame tube as long as they are still user serviceable/replaceable. There are other folding e-bikes on the market (like the iZip Via), but this does seem to offer the promise of an even more compact folder (depending on whether this is 16” or 20” wheels).
One thing I notice on the prototype, however, is that it appears to be a non-folding proof-of-frame design…not a folding bike. I don’t see a locking mechanism on the rear frame or the swivel near the headtube that they show in the rendered version. Is this correct?

i love that the frames might be made in pdx!

Looks like old-school Dahon pedals and steer tube folding. Cool concept.

Like the shaft drive. Great idea for a folding bike.

I take it the drive is not fixed so you can coast? Also, will there be some gearing modification available?
It does look nice, though.

First good reason for a step-thru U frame: it matches the arc of the tire! I agree with whyat about the shaft. I need to see the price point. I am skeptical about a bike that folds in two places: notice that both wheels are folding into the middle. That’s a lot of folding! If one wheel folds from the left and one from the right, maybe the frame could be something more structurally efficient and save a lot of weight. Weight is king, even for folders. But I want to see this one in daylight. It looks cool!

On the “last mile”: I caught non-bike commuters talking today at lunch about the challenges of using MAX. It is the last mile. A nonfolding bike adds its own issues during rush hour. A good folder might interest a lot of people. The price point will really matter. In my case, people want to get on and off the train at Goose Hollow or Jefferson and ride to/from Montgomery Park. Weight will matter for a non-athlete making the moderate climb on 19th from Raleigh to Couch after a hard day’s work. The folder is huge because if you have a regular bike you have to ride to Chinatown to board and find a hook, then endure the endless slog of MAX through downtown.