I haven’t done much writing in the last few weeks so I started browsing the Internet for some inspiration. Perhaps something new and original like “The Revenge of the Electric Bike”. Well alas no such luck. However I am continualey encouraged and intrigued by the e-bike markets on-going progress and some of the nifty new ideas I so often come across.

On the on-going progress of e-bikes  side of things is the time and money some of the major players in the transportation industry are putting into developing e-bike technology. Please don’t mistake this as a belief that the future of the e-bike is in the hands of these captain’s of industry. Quite the contrary. However, it does show that the the e-bike has come a long way from that of a passing curiosity or just another recreational plaything.  E-bikes are real transportation and are here to stay.

When companies like Daimler Benz, Volkswagon and Bosch dump hundreds of millions of dollars into the research and development of e-bikes and ebike drive systems we can be sure that e-bikes are more than just a passing fad. Have a look at some of these prototypes and products.

Daimler Smart E-bike

Edmunds Inside Line – Daimler Will Build Smart Ebike.

Electric Bike Shed – Bosch Electric Bike Drive System. Future of e-bikes?

Bosch Electric Bike Drive System

engadget.com - Volkswagen rolls out foldable ‘Bike’ electric bicycle concept.

Volkswagen's electric bicycle concept

Limited by only your imagination

Auto Motto – What’s next in electric bikes

And of course there’s always the “that’s a neat idea” department. Here’s a few with merit.

gizmag.com – Student-designed bicycle device designed to save lives.

Light Lane – A laser light bike line.

Emits a laser image ahead of the rider.

New York Times – The Commuter Bike Redesigned and Electrified.

The Yike Bike

Naturally some ideas are better than others.

I New Idea Homepage

If your going green, well why not?