Innovators, product designers and investors in sustainable transport continue to further the cause of electric bikes world-wide. Following the tradition in year recent years of car manufacturers dipping their toes into assisted pedaling, Ford this month also unveiled its latest environmentally-friendly prototypes aimed at assisting the business world.
Over in Italy, GiocoSolutions, a young company specializing in ‘alternative energies,’ presented their WEB (Wood E-Bike) recently, a hand-crafted bike aimed at sustainable transport without the pollution.
The company’s ‘green’ roots lay in flexible solar panels which can be adapted to fit all surfaces, including curved surfaces of motorhomes, boats and a Russian bivouac, a mountain hut, at 4,000 metres. Stefano Notari of GiocoSolutions explained their original aim was to “modify the concept that PV panels can be used only on grid systems on the roof”.
Harnassing energy from photovoltaic panels on buildings prompted the team to think that sustainability “can be achieved not only in buildings, but beyond that by also changing our current means of transport.” Last year GiocoSolutions presented the solar electric boat.
“But then we asked ourselves: what is more sustainable than a bicycle?” says Stefano, adding “the answer is a bike made of wood, so here we are.”
The bike’s design stemmed from a hobby, but the team liked the bike’s natural appearance alongside its green credentials. Although not the first wooden frame to put in an appearance in the world of electric bikes, GiocoSolutions plan to tie the bike in alongside their existing renewable energy products.
“In the future we also plan photovoltaic accessories for battery life, such as a photovoltaic fender… which would combine our different lines of products together.”
The e-bikes’ frames will be made of marine plywood, to maximise the bike’s resistance to water and corrosion, with a 36V 15ah lithium battery, a 250w motor, 26” aluminium wheels and 22Kg in weight.
The company plan to produce 10 bikes each month for the 6 months ahead and would be keen to talk to retailers in the UK to gauge interest. The company say the bike is aimed at “everyone who cares about the environment without sacrificing a good product’s design.”
