Ohm's Human-Electric Hybrid Bike

The “last mile” — that distance between centralized transport hubs and your final destination — is often the biggest barrier to taking public transit. Maybe you’ve been thinking that perhaps a bicycle could help you go that extra mile and give you a good work out, but you don’t want too much of a workout. In that case, the Ohm electric-assist bicycle may be just the auto-locomotive ticket.

It’s a bicycle with an onboard electric motor that works intelligently; the harder you pedal the harder the electric motor kicks in to help you out up that hill or past that hybrid stuck in traffic. The bike’s motor can be used to charge the lithium ion battery on the downhills or when you’re channeling your inner Lance.

Founded in 2005, the British Columbia, Canada-based startup is debuting its design with two models: an Urban and a Sport model — about $2,750 and $3,450, respectively. The bike is pimped-out with tech from two other Canadian startups. BionX makes the electric motor while E-One Moli Energy contributes the rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The company is still building its dealership network, so getting your hands on one is difficult unless you’re near one of their 10 current outlets, including a Hawaiian police equipment store.

While the price would have to come down considerably, Ohm’s bicycle’s could help replace some of the many dirty two-stroke engine scooters that populate the developing world’s metropolises. In the meantime, expect to see the same early adopters that bought Segways pedaling with ease in a city near you.

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