Last year we heard about the Draisine 200.0, a one-off wooden electric balance bike for adults. Well, if you wished that you could buy something like it, now is your chance. The Slovenian-made Big Buddy Bike has a tempered wooden frame, it’s adult-sized, and it’s an electric balance bike \u2013 of a sort.<\/p>\n
We say “of a sort” because whereas the Draisine 200.0’s motor actually kicked-in in response to the rider’s footsteps, the Big Buddy’s motor works in throttle mode only. In other words, you can use it as a human-powered balance bike with your hand off the throttle, or leave your feet on the pegs and use it as an electrically-powered scooter \u2013 in that way, it’s not unlike the Wheela.<\/p>\n
The Big Buddy’s 250-watt rear hub motor takes the rider to an electronically-limited top speed of 16 mph (25 km\/h), and is powered by a removable 36-volt lithium-ion battery that has a range of approximately 30 miles (48 km) per charge \u2013 one charge takes three to four hours.<\/p>\n
Other features include a wood-bodied LED headlight, a two-passenger padded seat with a storage compartment underneath, and the option of custom graphics on the sides. The whole thing tips the scales at 30 kg (66 lb), and can handle a maximum weight of 140 kg (309 lb).<\/p>\n
Additionally, if riders forget where they parked, they can use their smartphone to see where their bike is via the Chipolo tracking system.<\/p>\n
Should you be interested, the Big Buddy Bike is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign<\/a>. A pledge of US$3,467 is required to get one, assuming it reaches production. By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
\nIt can be seen in action, in the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n ![\"YouTube\"](\"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-content\/plugins\/borlabs-cookie\/assets\/images\/cb-no-thumbnail.png\")
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Learn more<\/a><\/p>\n