Luxury Electric Motor Bikes

Along with their hybrids and EVs, luxury automakers have been developing prototype e-bikes, like the Audi Wörthersee above. These aren't full-fledged motorcycles, like the Brammo or Zero, but they aren't just bicycles either:

Audi e-bike Wörthersee (above) is being marketed as a trick bike, but it could be a commuter. You can pedal the 46 lbs with no assistance, or you can let the bike squire you around at 30 mph, or if you can pedal hard enough, the electric motor will assist you up to 50 mph. Range varies from 31 to 44 miles.

Daimler also has their smart e-bike, starting at €2,849, or $3,700. They claim up to a 62 mile range, which is good because pedaling a 61 lb discharged bike would not be fun. One review says the standard 230W smart e-bike is difficult to pedal faster than 15 mph, but reviews of the 500W Brabus version list its top speed as 28 mph.

Lexus and Volkswagen showed slick prototype e-bikes (above) two years ago but there is little word on them now. The Daimler does seem to be for sale.

There are all sorts of e-bikes out there, especially in Asia, and as shown below, the simplest ones help you pedal easier or faster. But I see a continuum of motorized two wheelers from motor-assisted bicycles to full-fledged motorcycles like the Brammo and Zero. I rode a Honda 250 for several years, and had my share of near misses, so when a bike starts moving me way faster than I can pedal I start asking myself, How much rubber is on the pavement? How strong are the brakes? If that car turns left can I stop? etc.