It’s been nearly a year since VanMoof revealed their latest electric bicycle, the VanMoof V. Deemed a “hyperbike” for its impressive top-speed capabilities; this e-bike pushes the limits of existing policies. Now, with over 1,000 reservations for the e-bike placed, it seems citizens also want to up their speed.
Read more: What’s the fastest electric bicycle you can get?
Thanks to a pair of 500W motors, the VanMoof V has a top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h). For reference, that’s six mph over what Europe tolerates for an e-bike (max of 15.5 mph or 25 km/h) and three mph over what the US allows (0-28 mph or 32-45 km/h, depending on the class of e-bike).
The VanMoof V is our first hyperbike, an e-bike dedicated to higher speed and longer distance. I believe this new type of high-speed e-bike can fully replace scooters and cars in the city by 2025.
We’re calling for policies designed around people, rethinking how public spaces can be used if not occupied by cars. I am getting very excited thinking about what a city could look like in the near future, and we are very proud to be part of the change by building the right tools for the transition.
-Ties Carlier, Co-Founder fo VanMoof
Fast and Full-Featured
Aside from speed, the VanMoof V has plenty of features, such as full suspension, large motorcycle-style tires, automatic shifting transmission. VanMoof’s signature Kick Lock is here for quick anti-theft locking for added safety. In addition, the lighting is built right into the frame for a smoother look, with a side-light running along the top bar.
The e-bike packs a relatively large battery at 700 Wh. It’s rather impressive they’ve managed to hide it inside the bike’s frame instead of bolting it onto the outside.
Lastly, the company has announced a new integrated phone holder that centers a user’s phone over the handlebars, similar to an electric motorcycle’s display. Hardware and software development has been ongoing for over a year, refining details up to the bike’s release – expected by the end of 2022.
The VanMoof V just might be the first wave of higher-performance electric bicycles as more people look to reduce car use and energy consumption. Of course, there are still some legal issues to work out since safe riding is still the most significant concern. But that’s the age-old story of technological development, and this at least seems to be in the right direction.