Hand it to the Kiwis to come up with an functioning art piece that’s equal parts brilliant, functional and environmentally sensible. Time to trash your Segway and hang your KiwiBike on the wall!

Grant Ryan Mechanical Engineer with a PhD in Ecological Economics, an addicted inventor & entrepreneur came up with this masterpiece. The YikeBike (Kiwi speak for I-like-bike) perfectly combines his love of mechanics, environment, and innovation.

A result of five years of research and development, YikeBike mini-farthing (no not some convict speak from folks down-under but more to do with this!) has a radically different riding position, steering mechanism and wheel configuration, giving a safe smooth ride while folding up to a super small size.

YikeBike mini-farthing is the smallest, and at less than 22 pounds, the lightest electric folding bicycle available in the world, enabling people to take it on buses, trains, cars and store it easily under a desk or in a cupboard.

“What we have done is take a fresh approach to cycle design to give people freedom to commute easily and quickly in crowded urban environments with a minimal carbon footprint,” says Grant Ryan.

“It came out of a vision for a transport revolution – asking the question about what sort of radical new transport device would help address the challenges of people navigating our increasingly crowded, polluted cities.

“After years of discussion and experimenting we have developed a new wheel rider position that is as stable as the current 120 year old bicycle configuration,” he says.

Mr Ryan says the bicycle is the most commonly owned form of transport in the world but most bicycles sold today are designed to go off-road (mountain bikes) or to be stable at 50 km per hour (racing format). “Most people in the world now live in cities and don’t need to travel on mountains or go this fast when commuting in a city, and they can’t easily take their cycle with them on a bus, train, car, up an elevator and store in their apartment.

“The YikeBike mini-farthing solves these problems by being much simpler, smaller and lighter. It does this by replacing chain, gears, pedals, brake pads, cables and levers with a powerful light, 1.2 kW electric motor and smart electronics.

“We have been delighted by initial reactions to the YikeBike mini-farthing, and look forward to taking it to the cities of the world over the next few months.”

Key features of the YikeBike mini-farthing:

• The carbon frame gives a strong light platform for the bike.
• The YikeBike is designed for city journeys of up to 5.6 miles and has a high power brushless electric motor with a top speed of 12.5miles/h.
• The mechanics are all totally enclosed so clothes can not get caught or dirty and maintenance is minimal.
• The YikeBike has a different riding feel to normal bicycle but is easier to learn to ride and has numerous additional safety features like anti-skid brakes, brake lights and indicators.

Its expect to cost around $5500 in US – to buy one or to dream of one, head to YikeBike. To learn more one evolution of the design check out minifarthing

Here is a video of the fun ride.

Acknowledgment: Gizmag