Thanks to the brilliant minds at Sanyo there is now a product that challenges two of the biggest competing movements out there: fitness and being green with the regenerative lithium-ion bicycle. Just introduced for the Japanese market is this electric bicycle from Sanyo. We've seen electric bikes before that are a bit of a crossover between traditional bikes and mopeds, but this opens up a new bag of chips.
The bike has a regenerative braking system. It operates like a traditional electric-assist bike, but when brakes are applying a motor uses the dispensed energy to recharge its lithium-ion battery.
This just seems like a two steps forward and one step backwards type of an upgrade. Overall, the bike has maximized its green capabilities, so putting a regenerative braking system on one is a bit overkill. And it increases laziness quite a bit.
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By Chet at 2:16 PM ON 03/10/08
Sorry to boldly and bluntly disagree, but you're straight up wrong about electric bikes being for the lazy. Research into usage patterns suggests (sorry, can't locate link), and my experience concurs, with the fact that riders of electric and electric-assist bikes actually ride longer and farther than if on pedal-power alone. When people release the fear and anxiety that comes with super-long rides or difficult terrain, because they know they can fall back on electric power, riders will nearly always get MORE exercise over time. Riders tend to want to ride farther, and take more rides per week as well, which is mentally healthy and beneficial as well as physically far better than lying on the couch eating potato chips.
Furthermore, electric bikes inspire thousands of people to take up biking who never would have taken the first step otherwise. Don't knock the electrics, please. They're absolutely great. :-)
By wood at 8:01 PM ON 03/10/08
Green and lazy - them is fight words *lol*. - The leap in concept here has been missing, imho, and now addressed in microcode. Simple, affordable, quiet, dependable, load assist, delivery bike revolution. Solar charged, assisting the blender-bar sounds intriguing to me. Overkill? Aoid violent language, please!
Until 'they' set up future end-use disposal system, I will not participate in this plastic bike consumerism vogue. This bike looks metal. Remember to factor construction energy in this discussion topic. Sci fi does sanyo promotions?
1/4 million sold last year in Japan! 1200$. Cute.
By mattman at 2:58 PM ON 03/19/08
I got my e-bike two weeks ago and have put on over 200 miles. Lazy? You say this while you sit on your lump in a suv sipping Starbucks. These bikes do not do all the work they just make bicycle a more temping choice for commuting and errands.
By AussieARF at 9:51 PM ON 04/15/08
There's nothing lazy about these bikes. Since riding mine, bought over 5 years ago while I lived in Japan, I ride to places I'd never previously have considered because they were too far away or involved too many hills.
I've had my bike in Australia now for over the past 4 years and use it all the time.
By romulusnr at 3:15 PM ON 04/25/08
What's wrong with being green AND lazy? If you want widespread adoption of greenness (or anything else for that matter), the lazier the better. People recycle more now that they can just put their recycles on the curb. Etc. Anyway, a regen brake bike would be awesome for hilly cities.
By PlaidKnight at 10:22 PM ON 07/08/08
>mattman
Not only that, but they are awesome for people who want more exercise but have some health problems (I suffer from asthma). I'd love to go biking as long as it doesn't force me to gasp like a beached fish.
By coder at 12:37 AM ON 09/01/08
Regenerative bikes are a joke. they give 3 percent return so every 100 miles you get 3 miles. Its a gimmick. Well I read this on 3 forums of e-bike owners soo from the horses mouth