Hasta La Ideas

The e-bike beat has been quiet for much of 2012 (despite Tony Pereira’s prediction)—sure, there was a BOXX talk and Audi’s trick bike, but recent projects have either been more pragmatic or altogether speculative.

The Faraday Porteur electric bicycle has elements of all of the above—and then some—and is now available for pre-orders via none other than Kickstarter. From a practical perspective, the electric bike is expressly designed for stylish-yet-sensible city-dwellers, worthy of its designation as the “ultimate modern utility bicycle,” its virtues duly noted by the Transportation Jury of the Core77 Design Awards, which named the Faraday Runner-Up in the category.

Yet the Faraday Porteur also hits that aspirational sweet spot: the thoughtfully-designed machine is no less than a dream bike, and it should come as no surprise that the Faraday Porteur won the People’s Choice Award when it debuted at the Oregon Manifest last September (back when it went by its first name alone).

The Faraday Porteur looks and feels like a high-end city bicycle, but it performs in a class of its own. The bike appeals to a broad range of consumers, from bike lovers to commuters, baby boomers, techies, gadget gurus, and anyone with hill phobia. Inspired by the classic European delivery bikes of the 1940s and 50s, the Faraday Porteur has been updated with state-of-the-art components and construction techniques. An integrated, all-weather computer manages the intelligent pedal assist system that senses the rider’s output and powers the front wheel. A ‘boost’ switch provides an extra surge of power, but only when desired. High-powered, integrated front and rear LED lights turn on and off automatically, and the batteries are hidden seamlessly within the frame. At just under 40 pounds (without the removable rack), the Porteur is light enough to easily carry up stairs or load on the bus.

The Faraday, v1.0, on display at the PNCA during the Oregon Manifest

Indeed, astute readers may remember that we chronicled the entire design/build process of the Faraday, a collaboration between IDEO and Rock Lobster Cycles, from concept to execution. Highlights from the seven-month journey include the brainstorming session in April and the decision to move forward with the electric assist in July—just over a year ago.

A first look at the integrated controller box, August 2011

The process and feedback have been so rewarding that lead designer Adam Vollmer recently left IDEO to found Faraday Bicycles. “Only a year ago we were documenting the creation of the bike on the Design/Build Chronicles for Core77. The reaction to the bike when we unveiled it at Oregon Manifest was tremendous, and it’s incredible to be launching Faraday on Kickstarter just a short year later.”

Paul Sadoff of Rock Lobster inspects the geometry as Adam looks on, September 2011

Check out the Q&A with Vollmer after the jump…

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