Associated Content Exclusive: Review of the YikeBike

Many of us need to face the reality that our world is headed more towards a green environment. This is most evident in the green oriented cars that continue to enter the market. These vehicles have established themselves to be popular amongst the younger & older conscientious individuals. However, it still appears that nothing can beat someone's love for the bike. This is why a company called YikeBike Limited has created the electric YikeBike. They believe they have the next generation gadget that promotes both green activism and overall riding entertainment.

The YikeBike is truly a unique piece of equipment. You will notice that the YikeBike comes equipped with an electric engine. This engine is supposedly a 1, 2 kw electric engine that allows the bike to move at a decent clip of speed. Another aspect of the YikeBike is its small frame. The small frame is made out of the light weight construction of carbon fiber. This is a material that has been shown to take a beating. It is hard to damage and can hold large amounts of weight. So if you are a little bigger like myself, you don't have to worry about damaging the bike over a short period of time.

I was lucky enough to take the YikeBike out for a test drive on a closed off street. My first opinion of the YikeBike was that I felt very uncomfortable because I was sitting on it unlike any other bike. The design is so that it forces you to sit down and hold onto a set of controlling handles that are located on the left and right sides of your body. You use these handles to control the YikeBike's speed. The state-of-the-art design & technology enable for a safe and smooth ride. One thing I noticed is how well the YikeBike took bumps and changes in the road. The bike takes the impact as easy as most cars on the market today.

Perhaps the thing I enjoyed most about the YikeBike is what I was able to do with it once I was done riding around on it. The YikeBike has a unique feature that allows you to store it away easy. You see, what you are capable of doing is folding the bike for easy storage. It takes a very short time to press in the areas that allow you fold the bike. In fact, it took me just about a minute to do the task. I was surprised by how easy it was to do this and it made me fall in love with the YikeBike even more.

Another cool aspect of the YikeBike has to be the special controller that is used. The controller replaces the traditional chain pedal and levers that we are used to using on a normal bike. This controller is located on the left and right side of the bike (remember when I said I used the handles on the side to control the bike, well this is it). You also can rest assured about the safety of the bike due to it's incorporation of an electronic anti-skid system that uses zero emissions. This is something that will make all you environment lovers just a bit more happy inside.

Lastly, you will be shocked to learn that the YikeBike is controlled by a Lithium phosphate battery. This battery is easily chargeable. All you have to do is charge the battery for 30 minutes. Current estimates from the people who demoed the bike for me are that 30 minutes of charging should give you 2 to 3 hours of driving. This seems a little low to me but is sure to be fixed over the next year when newer models are sure to be introduced.

The YikeBike is currently scheduled for release in mid 2010. However, the company is taking reservations to preorder your very own YikeBike. I am actually thinking about do this myself. This is because my overall opinion of the bike is one that is very positive. The fact the YikeBike is eco-friendly, unique, fun to ride, and easy to store, makes it hard to say no to the bike. Make sure to visit the YikeBike website included in my sources and make your own opinion.