Pulling the veil away from the latest project at the Frankfurt Motor Show, organizers offered the public a glimpse at the Ford E-Bike for the first time ever. Much to their dismay, however, the automotive company immediately announced that the elegant cycle would never make it onto the production design. Suffice to say, I'm crestfallen.
Clocking in at a featherweight of 2.5kg (thanks to the sturdy carbon-aluminum frame), the Ford E-Bike tosses the rusty chain to the curb and replaces it with a smart Carbon Belt Drive System. The new system not only helps automate the bike, but also charges a Li-Ion battery stored in the alloy frame.
That same battery is responsible for charging devices mounted on the handlebars. Tracking one's progress with GPS or even making a hands-free phone call while riding a bike is too appealing of an idea to deny. Since Ford refuses to carry their own torch, it's up to another company to join the race in sending the Ford E-Bike into production.
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