Ford has been hard at work to improve transportation based on the needs of its customers. Cars are occasionally a less advantageous means of transportation as cities become more congested and Americans gain interest in healthier commutes to work. Enter the Ford e-bike prototypes, which are full of tech and can be folded and stored inside your Ford vehicle.
Urban commuters
The MoDe:Me e-bike, co-designed with bike manufacturer Dahon, is the bike for commuters in highly congested areas, or where you’ll be moving among personal vehicle, bike, and public transportation. Yes, it can be folded up so it’s small enough to be carried onto the bus!
Commercial use
Ford has also designed a larger e-bike with some further capabilities to be stored inside its commercial vehicles, like the Transit Connect. The MoDe:Pro e-bike looks more like the standard bike you know and love — though much more futuristic. This model has the ability to store and stack special cases on the back for use by couriers, electricians, and the like.
Enthusiast bikers
The most recently announced model, and coolest looking, is the MoDe:Flex. The Flex has tons of versatility, demonstrated by its front and rear assemblies being switched to road, mountain, and city riding configurations. Ford has also stated that the Flex will be able to fit inside any Ford vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about some of its extra features taking up too much space.
All three models are equipped with motors and batteries that assist you as you pedal for speeds up to around 15 mph. There’s even a No Sweat mode that increases its assistance based on your heart rate, so you can arrive to work feeling fresh. They also include navigation integration with the iPhone 6, as well as safety features like small handlebar lights flashing if a vehicle is about to pass you, or the handlebars vibrating to alert you of an oncoming pothole.
Ford e-bike availability
All of these models are still prototypes, unfortunately, but these cool pieces of tech might end up at dealerships someday, sold side-by-side with all of your favorite Ford models.
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