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New Zealander Invents Segway Alternative

RainbowBrite writes "The YikeBike is the invention of a New Zealander aiming to alleviate city congestion. 'It might look like a collision between a praying mantis and a child's scooter, but it's the result of five years of work to reinvent the wheel, with one important addition: an electric motor. It's a bicycle, but not as we have come to know it. For a start, you sit upright and steer with your hands at your side.'" The YikeBike weighs in at a measly 22 lbs but has a hefty price tag of almost $5,000 US (£3,000). The battery's expected lifespan is only 1,000 charges, but the device has a projected range of around six miles.

12 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. I'm a doctor, not an engineer! by metamechanical · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's a bicycle, but not as we have come to know it

    Better put as:

    It's bike, Jim, but not as we know it.

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    If I had a nickel for every time I had a nickel, I'd be richcursive!
  2. Re:Really good ideas... by CRCulver · · Score: 1, Funny

    Unfortunately if you simply switch to a bicycle in many American communities, you will be ostracized by your friends and coworkers because they will suspect you have been charged with DUI and can no longer drive a car. At least switching to a whizbang invention has less shame involved.

  3. yeah yeah. by Colin+Smith · · Score: 4, Funny

    http://www.bicycle-power.com/electric.html

    Hey. I've had a great idea. People could propel these things using their legs, getting fit at the same time. So you would be moving to your destination *and* saving money in gym fees *and* saving all that waste time at the gym too.

    Think I'll patent it.

    "A method for increasing human fitness and moving towards a destination at the same time."

     

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  4. Re:Really good ideas... by piemonkey · · Score: 2, Funny

    At least switching to a whizbang invention has less shame involved.

    Right up until they ask you how much you paid for it.

  5. Re:The real alternative ... by Colin+Smith · · Score: 2, Funny

    You just don't earn enough. This a demonstration (to the opposite sex) that you can afford to burn $5k therefore are "fit" and able to easily provide for offspring.

     

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  6. STOP!!! by Tibor+the+Hun · · Score: 3, Funny

    You had me at "praying mantis"!

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    If you don't know what AltaVista is (was), get off my lawn.
  7. Re:Can you spell Face Plant? by Rei · · Score: 5, Funny

    There is a the pennyfarthing was replaced by the safety bicycle [wikipedia.org].

    Huh. So... can I bike if I want to? Can I leave my friends behind?

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    Get out, or I'll have vice-president Agnew's headless body throw you out!"
  8. Leave it to a Kiwi by Alzheimers · · Score: 5, Funny

    Leave it to a Kiwi to put training wheels on a unicycle.

  9. Re:Can you spell Face Plant? by fridaynightsmoke · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, your friends don't bike, and if they dont bike, then they're no friends of mine.

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    This is a substitute for a clever sig that fits within the maximum number of characters.
  10. Don't want to hit a clothesline with this thing! by olsmeister · · Score: 2, Funny

    " 'Round here, we call her The Decapinator."

  11. Re:Can you spell Face Plant? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    f-a-c-e p-l-a-n-t

    I win?

  12. Yikes! by roc97007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't wear your expensive suit.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.