Ride Review Newsletter for January 26, 2023

This post was originally published in the weekly Ride Review Newsletter. For more consumer-driven dispatches, highlighting the best news, opinions, and reviews about electric scooters, bikes, boards, and buggies, subscribe here.

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Hi there - Before we start, two quick announcements…

• 🐣 Early-ish Bird tickets for Micromobility Europe (June 8-9) are on sale now. Act fast and you can snag passes to our biggest in-person event for only €300.
• 📣 Call for speakers! We are now accepting applications for the Micromobility 2023 agenda. Ride Review readers will be keen to know that priority will be given to vehicle launches as we build out our Road to Retail program this year.

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by… Zoba

To achieve profitability, operators need reliable and accurate ways of measuring their performance and identifying areas for improvement. In Zoba’s latest blog, they explore how nRPD (Net Rides Per Deployment) provides operators with much-needed visibility into ride cannibalization's impact on their bottom lines and break down step-by-step instructions anyone can use to calculate nRPD for themselves. Don't let ride cannibalization eat your bottom line - read the blog to learn how Zoba can help your team get the most from every vehicle. Read blog.

What You Need to Know Today

Americans spend an average of $179 on vehicle fuel each month. If this describes you, maybe it’s time to think about going electric…

… if you can’t afford to spend $60k+ on an electric car, try an electric micro car instead. For a fraction of the price, you can do almost all the same trips.

Toyota’s newest vehicle is big and has lots of carrying capacity, but it isn’t an SUV or pickup truck. The Japanese manufacturer is teaming up with bike brand Douze Cycles to start selling electric cargo bikes at its stores in France this September. The bakfiets-style bike can haul 220 lbs worth of goods using a 33-inch loading platform.

Much like catalytic converters on cars, electric bike batteries are a common target for thieves because they are easy to get at and valuable (~$500). This is a rising problem in the Netherlands, where last year the number of batteries reported stolen spiked 300%.

Overcharging a battery can hurt its capacity, but how can you tell when it’s time to unplug your device? Experts recommend using a smart charger, keeping detailed records, or just asking ChatGPT (seriously).

The new Bondi Element is a big-wheeled kickscooter that rolls on 20-inch tires for enhanced comfort.

Switzerland-based Thömus just debuted a featherlight electric bike that tips the scales at a mere 25 lbs.

Aventon announced it is making its pocketbook-friendly bikes even more attainable with a permanent price drop across its entire lineup, lowering the price tag for some products by as much as 20%.

Huck Cycles, a North Carolina company that hand-builds electric motorbikes, is putting its powerful Stinger model into production.

The ultimate guide to electric scooter laws in the U.S.

Michael Blast Bikes, an interestingly named brand out of Vancouver, has debuted a zippy new scrambler-inspired bike known as the Outsider.

Mountain bikers rejoice: Strava is adding 3D mapping technology to its fitness app after acquiring European startup Fatmap.

The Ather 450x, one of the most popular sit-down scooters in India, is getting some nice updates for 2023, including a larger, more comfortable seat, an improved mapping system, and an increased battery pack guarantee of five years.

Relatedly, Indian OEM Bajaj plans to begin shipping its Chetak electric moped in Europe next year.

Electric biker maker Himiway is making its fat tires even fatter, upsizing from 4.0 to 4.5 inches to smoothen out rugged rides.

Reviews

The Onewheel GT is excellent for trail riders and long-distance commuters. It is beginner-friendly, powerful, and lasts long. In sum, this electric unicycle is impressive, from the 200-minute charging time to the 300% brighter LED lights.

If you are looking for a fun bike that you can use for off road or motocross tracks, the Freeride E-XC from KTM could be the perfect choice for you. The durable frame with a large battery, high-end wheels, great suspension, and reliable brakes makes this bike one of the best options from KTM. It might be a bit pricey, but it is worth the investment.

The i40 is a great addition to Icon’s lineup of high-performance, low-speed golf vehicles. This little beauty comes with 10-inch aluminum wheels and 4-wheel disc brakes, so you can stop on a dime and keep going when necessary. The Icon i40 has everything you need to get around town without any fuss: a horn, turn signals, and even retractable seat belts.

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