What Commuters Should Expect in 2015

New business ideas curated by Emma Bailey. Thanks!

Looking for a new way to commute to and from work? Recent technological advancements in the cycling and commuting world have created a whole new perspective on transportation. From electric wheels to smart scooters,  the 2st century has really gifted us with new means of getting places. WIth the new year bringing us even more smart technology, it’s a great time to take a look at recent concepts, products, and what’s to come.

Electric Smart Wheels

If you want the benefits of an electric bike but are still attached to your current ride, look no further! These all-in-one systems attach to your bike, making it an electric hybrid and completely transforming your ride. Complete electric bicycles can go for up to $3,000 while many electric wheels are a fraction of the price. Some wheels are even compatible with your smartphone such as the Copenhagen Wheel and the FlyKly Smart Wheel, both of which can track your calories burned, speed, and distance traveled. Most electric wheels are also fairly easy and quick to install, so if you want to go back to some good old man-power, you can have your original bike back in a matter of minutes.

Smart Pedals

Half of all active cyclists get their bike stolen at one point or another. It has actually been a huge problem in major cities, but many fail to realize the actual extent of it. Connected Cycle found a solution for this. With these smart pedals tracking and recording your every move (with or without a smartphone), you’ll never have to worry about scrambling to get the money for a new bike again. Connected Cycle smart pedals instantly notify the user if the bike has been moved and where to locate it. This eliminates many losses to theft and even lets the user know where they last put their bike, had they forgotten. In addition to GPS capability, these smart pedals record your speed, route, incline, and calories burned. If you’re looking for a way to keep your bike safe while you’re at work, the Connected Cycle smart pedals would be the way to go. Once they are available for purchase, the pedals will be compatible with almost any bike and can only be removed with a special key that the owner holds.

Electric Bikes

For those who are willing to spend a little more for the efficiency of their commute, there are numerous electric bikes to choose from. A popular electric bike brand, Haibike, will be bringing new models of electric bikes featuring Bosch’s mid-drive system in 2015. Since Bosch is the leading company for mid-drive systems in Europe, they decided to sell their products in America and partner with popular electric bike brands, such as Haibike. Sometime in 2015, Haibike will be releasing a bunch of electric mountain bikes, for those who want to go off-road riding, and street bikes, for those who just need to commute daily. The Felt Electric line (also featuring the Bosch mid-drive system) is also a European brand but will also be coming to North America in 2015 with a couple different models, ranging from mountain to city bikes. No matter the brand, electric bikes are hugely convenient way of getting around. Whether you just need a little push, don’t want to get all sweaty, or even if you just want to keep up with friends and family, an electric bike is the way to commute.

Solar Powered Bikes

If you want to promote a little more eco-friendliness, solar powered bikes may just be your answer. Consumers and retailers are becoming a little more conscious of the environment and one of the results of this awareness is solar-powered bikes! Although the concept of charging bikes with solar power is not new in Japan, the idea has just barely made its way in other places in the world. Designed by the Solar Application Lab, the Dutch Solar Cycle uses solar power collected by the solar panels on each of its wheels to recharge its batteries. This offers an environmentally friendly alternative to commuting every day. Some may think this isn’t sustainable, but the reality is that the average consumer is showing greater interest in the environment, and energy producers and tech developers alike are clamoring to meet consumer’s needs. And it’s not always as expensive as some people assume. For example, in a largely deregulated state like Ohio, alternative energy is readily accessible — Walton natural gas rates are among the cheapest in the country, and companies in Cleveland and working to provide more clean energy solutions (although the Governor John Kasich had stopped those goals). In any case, the Dutch Solar Cycle and future solar-powered bicycles could be one key to eco-friendly commuting.

Smart Scooters

As the first and only of its kind, the Gogoro Smart Scooter makes use of rechargeable batteries, so you can swap batteries when you’re low. This eliminates the need to plug in your vehicle and wait for countless hours until it is fully charged – providing an environmentally conscious way of getting around. The Gogoro is also compatible with smartphones, complete with an app to help you remember where you parked and give you information on your driving. It tells you where the nearest GoStation (basically a battery-swap location) is so you can power up accordingly. This smart scooter is a great example of how companies today are developing products for consumers that help sustain environmentally friendly regimens. With this concept of portable power, the Gogoro would be able to transform huge densely populated cities into smart cities.