Yike Bike - Electric bicycle minifarthing

Yiek!!

How safe is the YikeBike?
How stable is the YikeBike? How easy is it to ride?
Having the handle bars at the side looks weird – surely it must feel unnatural and unstable?
What happens when I brake hard?
Is the YikeBike street legal?
Do you need to use a helmet when riding a YikeBike?
How safe is the YikeBike?

One of the key aims of the YikeBike design was to make it very safe and safer than a bicycle:
Electronic anti-skid brakes give it smooth braking and a short stopping distance.
Built in brake lights and indicators mean you don't have to take your hands off to signal.
The rider is in an upright position to allow better visibility in traffic – easier to both see and be seen.
Short wheel-base means it is more manoeuvrable.
Speed limited so that it can never go faster than 20 km/h even down hill.
Super-fast acceleration to allow you to avoid trouble if necessary.
Distinctive sound so people know you are coming.
Built in lights that are on all the time, making you more visible to others.
The handlebars are at the side rather than in front so in the event of an accident or need for an emergency stop the rider’s head or body is not catapulted into an obstacle.


How stable is the YikeBike? How easy is it to ride?

The advantage of starting with a blank sheet of paper was that we could apply the necessary engineering principles to provide a very stable ride,right down to the tracking of the steering. The best way to see just how easy it is to ride is to look at the videos of people riding for the very first time. Most people learn in the first few minutes that they lean differently (and more intuitively!) than a when on a bicycle. After 10 minutes they can’t stop smiling. However, just like learning to ride a bicycle, we recommend you practice until you are very confident before going out into traffic or other congestion.
Having the handle bars at the side looks weird – surely it must feel unnatural and unstable?

With a bicycle you stretch forward to reach the handlebars – there is nothing inherently natural about that, it is just what you are used to. The upright position on a YikeBike is remarkably comfortable and safer too because it is easier to both see and be seen. At a top speed of 20 kph you are never going fast enough for wind resistance to be an issue (and the electric motor is doing the hard work anyway).
What happens when I brake hard?

The YikeBike is the first in the world to have electronic anti-skid brakes, giving smoother braking and a shorter stopping distance than a bicycle. It is likely that you will jump off the front of a YikeBike in an emergency braking situation – this is very easy as there are no handle bars in the way.
Is the YikeBike street legal?

YikeBike is currently going through a certification process in Europe. As far as we are aware it is neither legal nor illegal as it has not been designed to fit into existing definitions of a bicycle or any other vehicle. It has been designed to be safer than a bicycle and should be able to be used anywhere a bicycle is used.
Do you need to use a helmet when riding a YikeBike?

You should use a cycle helmet riding a YikeBike if you would use one riding a bicycle. Being safety conscious, we would certainly recommend an approved helmet for any ride-on vehicle.

How fast does the YikeBike go? 
How long does it take to charge the YikeBike?
How much does it cost to charge?
How tall/short do you have to be to ride the YikeBike? Is the seat adjustable? Is there a weight limit?
What is the turning radius?
What is the battery life and cost of replacement?
How quickly does it fold?
How do I carry things on a YikeBike?
Does the YikeBike come with a lock?
Can I have a colour other than black?
With no mud-guards am I going to get wet or dirty riding in the rain?
How heavy is a YikeBike?
What are the folded dimensions of a YikeBike?
How far can YikeBike go?
How fast does the YikeBike go?

The YikeBike is electronically limited to 20 kph, even down-hill. It accelerates to top speed in just a few seconds. 
How long does it take to charge the YikeBike?

This depends on the amount of battery discharge, but a typical time would be 20 minutes for 80% charge.
How much does it cost to charge?

It depends upon your electricity supplier, but in most cities the cost to charge would be less that €0.10 equivalent.

How tall/short do you have to be to ride the YikeBike? Is the seat adjustable? Is there a weight limit? 

The YikeBike can comfortably be ridden by anyone from 160cm to 195cm (5’3” to 6'5"). There is no need to adjust the seat because you do not pedal – your height relative to the seat is only important to how much your knees are bent when riding. The YikeBike can comfortably take a rider (and personal effects) weighing up to 100kg. Beyond this weight we do not warrant performance. Over time we may make different sized ones - particularly for children.
What is the turning radius?

The YikeBike's turning radius is tighter than a bicycle due to the smaller wheel base.
What is the battery life and cost of replacement?

The YikeBike has latest Lithium Phosphate (liFePO4) batteries that are good for at least 1,000 charges. We will share the exact details when they become available closer to the start of YikeBike production.

How quickly does it fold? 

With a bit of practice, folding takes less than 15 seconds.

How do I carry things on a YikeBike? 

The YikeBike is designed to be super small when folded up so does not have a carrier or pannier bags. You can use a standard backpack while riding. The maximum total weight of the rider and bag is 100kg.

Does the YikeBike come with a lock? 

No – because you can fold it up and take it with you there is no need to leave it outside where it can be stolen.

Can I have a colour other than black? 

‘Carbon fibre black’ is the only colour that will initially be available for a YikeBike. After initial production has begun we will look at different colours and options to accessorise your YikeBike.

With no mud-guards am I going to get wet or dirty riding in the rain? 

The main frame acts as a mudguard for the front wheel and the end of the frame does the same for the back wheel – so, no, you don't get wet or dirty from the wheels. All the electronics of the YikeBike are shower proof so you can ride in the rain.

How heavy is a YikeBike? 

The YikeBike weighs less than 10kg with a full battery and air in the tyres

What are the folded dimensions of a YikeBike? 

The folded dimensions are 150mm by 600mm by 600mm. The total folded volume is 40 litres. The folded YikeBike is considerably smaller than a typical folding bicycle and the fact that all of the mechanicals are enclosed reduces the risk of marking or staining clothing or furniture.

How far can YikeBike go? 

Currently the YikeBike can travel a distance of 9 - 10 Km.

Who can service my YikeBike?
Can I service my YikeBike myself or have my local bike shop do it?
What sort of warranty comes with the YikeBike?
Who can service my YikeBike?

The YikeBike has been designed to require very little maintenance. We are still finalising details of our recommended servicing plan but it will be a door to door service. We will arrange to pick up and return your YikeBike by courier so there is little effort required on your part. Please remember to keep the box that your YikeBike is delivered in so it can be re-used for servicing.
Can I service my YikeBike myself or have my local bike shop do it?

We don’t recommend this other than repairing or replacing tyres according to the procedures in the instruction manual.
What sort of warranty comes with the YikeBike?

Details of the warranty are yet to be finalised. You will also benefit from the consumer protections where you live.

If I reserve a YikeBike when can I expect to receive it?
How much will the Yike-Bike cost?
Which countries are you selling the YikeBike initially?
How can I test drive a YikeBike?
What is your privacy policy?
Is the reservation fee refundable?
If I reserve a YikeBike when can I expect to receive it?

The first 100 orders will be delivered early to mid 2010.
How much will the Yike-Bike cost?

The price for the first YikeBikes will be between €3,500-€3,900. We will finalise the price when your reserved production slot draws near.
Which countries are you selling the YikeBike initially?

UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and New Zealand.
How can I test drive a YikeBike?

Test rides are available at EuroBike in Friedrichshafen, Germany 2-5 September. If you are interested in finding out what it is like to ride a YikeBike, videos will be posted soon.
What is your privacy policy?

Your personal information is for internal use at YikeBike. We do not sell personally identifiable information collected on our website to other companies.
Is the reservation fee refundable?

Yes it is totally refundable up to the day you confirm your purchase (approximately two months before delivery).

What is the difference between a mini-farthing and a YikeBike?
How Green is the YikeBike?
Are there plans for other versions of the YikeBike, for example with more batteries and pedal assist etc.?
Will I be able to use a YikeBike in bicycle lanes?
Can I take a YikeBike on public transport?
How will it work in the rain, snow and cold climates?
Do you offer financing?
Are you looking for dealers or will there be franchise opportunities?
Are you publicly traded and may I buy stock?
Who sings the song "Feels so Good" in your video
Why did you invent the mini-farthing? Why does it look like this?
Can I license the mini-farthing design?
Who makes the YikeBike?
What is the difference between a mini-farthing and a YikeBike?

A mini-farthing (www.minifarthing.com) is a new class of bicycle (like mountain bike, road bike, racing bike) and YikeBike a brand of mini-farthing.
How Green is the YikeBike?

Being electric, the YikeBike is very energy efficient and is as clean as the electricity you charge it with. Further, the YikeBike encourages the use of public transport use because it works so seamlessly with it. There is simply no comparison between taking a YikeBike or a car. Instead of talking 1-2 tonnes of stuff with you from A to B you only need to take 10kg.
Are there plans for other versions of the YikeBike, for example with more batteries and pedal assist etc.?

Once we have started delivering the YikeBike to market we will consider other options. The mini-farthing design is available for licensing to well-resourced companies to produce variants, refer www.minifarthing.com.
Will I be able to use a YikeBike in bicycle lanes?

The YikeBike does not fit within bicycle specifications, but we have designed it to be safer and more manoeuvrable than a bicycle so it should be able to be used anywhere you use a bicycle.
Can I take a YikeBike on public transport?

There are commonly specific rules and regulations around taking bicycles on public transport. There are no specific laws around a YikeBike. However, given the size of the folded form is smaller than many bags, you should go for it.
How will it work in the rain, snow and cold climates?

Like a bicycle the YikeBike works best in mild climates, but with care can be used any time you would use a bicycle. It is designed as a commuting device and we strongly advise you do not to try racing or mountain biking on a YikeBike.
Do you offer financing?

The details of any financing option are work in progress. We will have more information as we near full production.
Are you looking for dealers or will there be franchise opportunities?

Not at this time.
Are you publicly traded and may I buy stock?

We are a private company and not publicly traded.
Who sings the song "Feels so Good" in your video

Hera – a still mostly undiscovered super-star in the making. Check out www.herasings.com. Hera has a cameo in our promotional video as the person who gets the traffic ticket. Thanks Hera!
Why did you invent the mini-farthing? Why does it look like this?

We started with a blank sheet of paper and addressed the needs of urban commuting: light-weight for carrying; compact and clean for carrying and storage; decent size front wheel for bumps and curbs; better visibility through upright riding position; shorter wheel base for better manoeuvrability and electric drive to prevent working up a sweat. We also addressed a number of safety issues such as: shorter stopping distance (the YikeBike has anti-skid brakes), tighter cornering for emergencies, better acceleration, a limited top speed of 20kph and a riding position that is upright and unencumbered by handle bars in the event of an emergency stop or accident.
Can I license the mini-farthing design?

Yes, mini-farthing is interested in talking to well-resourced potential licensees and would be happy to share their ideas on potential variants. Check out www.minifarthing.com.
Who makes the YikeBike?

It is designed and currently assembled n New Zealand. We have sourced the best parts from around the world, including: Japan, USA, England, Germany, France and China.

Air ZIONIZER reduces fuel consumption

With the OIL WARS benefitting Israel and its huuuge
consumption of fuel for killing machines (tanks, trucks, jet aircraft
and navy warships and uboats)... why doesn't the Israeli Wehrmacht use the device?

Zion BADASH

WEBSITE__www.israel21c.org/bin/en.jsp?enDispWho=Articles^l2536&enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enVersion=0&enZone=Profiles

April 26, 2009

Israeli Whiz Kid Aims to Transform the Car Industry

by

Karin Kloosterman

If you could spend $208 on a small device that fitted to your car engine, saving you up to 40 percent on your gas consumption, the earth from pollution, and which also gave your car more power, you'd think it was too good to be true, right? Well this is exactly the promise of a new invention, the Z5, devised by an Israeli teenager Zion Badash when he was only 16.

After two years in the works, Badash started selling his device a few months ago, with road tests to prove it. Car manufacturers around the world are lining up for stakes in this wunderkind's new device.

Badash came up with the idea while he was walking down a smoggy street in Tel Aviv one day, and noticed all the pollution belching out of the cars. "That bothered me," he tells ISRAEL21c. He hadn't even started studying for his driving license at that time, and had no idea about the cost of fuel. It was the environmental cost of pollution that put his gears in motion.

Less fuel, more power, slashes emissions

"Especially being a young kid, I had no idea what was the cost of gas or the fuel consumption for regular cars," says Badash, now 18. "I realized if [the solution] comes before the combustion itself, the effect will not only be on emissions -- it will also affect emissions, save fuel and make the more car powerful," the young brainiac continues.

Of course, more energy savings is "a big and important effect," he says, but it "wasn't my main concern."

Though Badash learned physics at high school and is already doing math at university courses, the knowledge he needed to come up with the special metal alloys in his device didn't come from either of these places. "I realized that there has to be something with all the technologies around us that isn't done, that could be," he says.

The device he developed changes -- for a fraction of a second -- the way air behaves when going into the combustion chamber. This change allows the engine to use air more efficiently, saving fuel and giving more thrust at the same time.

After developing the prototype of the Z5, Badash went on to found a three-man company. It's a family business run by Badash's brother-in-law Eli Mor, with headquarters in Tel Aviv and a manufacturing and distribution outlet in Turkey. The Z5 is now available through mail order via the company website, and already thousands of units have been sold so far.

Car manufacturers look to Badash

All of the world's large car manufacturers have been in contact with Mor, he tells ISRAEL21c. They are looking for ways it can be fitted directly into their vehicles. "Ford, Mazda, all the large companies have been in contact with us, and we are in talks with them," says Mor, who sees the environment as the main priority for the business: "This is the top of the work. We don't look at fluctuating gas prices."

What the alloy is made from is a secret, of course, and Badash admits he isn't quite sure how it works, but road tests on emissions show that it certainly does work. It can be fitted to new cars, or old ones, diesel, hybrid, buses -- basically any combustion engine, even power plants - says Badash, who is about to be recruited to the army.

"Using it in an open combustion chamber brings a maximum effect. You can see fuel consumption [go down] very clearly," he says. "It can be used everywhere. I am not exaggerating," says the teen convincingly, pointing to the company's website and recent emissions monitoring done by the authorities in Israel.

Fitted onto the air filter that goes to the combustion chambers, the Z5 is as easy to use as changing a tire. And for $208, this teen may be onto something that could revolutionize the auto industry. His brother-in-law seems to think so. He thinks Badash should win a Nobel Prize for the Z5.

Rex says : I'm guessing that the mesh simply zionizes the air... an ES generator would be cheaper.

WEBSITE__www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1236764183420

The Jerusalem Post ( 15 March 2009 )

Here Comes the Z5

by

Eheud Z. Waldoks

Zion Badash, 18, from Savyon, has invented a device to reduce emissions from internal combustion engines in most vehicles by as much as 40 percent and significantly cut gasoline consumption.

The compact contraption called Z5 has no moving parts and can be easily self-installed in cars.

After two years of research and development, it went on the market three months ago - and by all accounts is selling like hot cakes.

"Some of the people who come to us want to reduce their emissions and others want to save money on gas," Badash told The Jerusalem Post on Friday.

While it is being marketed for automobiles, the Z5 will theoretically work with any type of engine, from huge electric turbines to home generators.

The initiative has been a private one, with no government funding contributing in any way, according to Z5 marketing director Eli Mor. Zion's father is securing the patent.

"We've started marketing the Z5 in Israel, Turkey, Great Britain, the US and on the Internet," Mor told the Post. "It goes for $208. We are also in negotiations with automobile manufacturers."

According to an IBA English News report on the Z5, a government-approved mechanic independently confirmed that the device reduced emissions in all sorts of vehicles, from trucks to cars.

The story of the Z5 began two years ago, when Badash was 16.

"I was walking down the street in Tel Aviv, noticing how hard it was to breathe and watching the exhaust come out of cars, and it really personally bothered me," he said.

"I came back home and thought to myself, 'Even after all of the technological advances, it still seems like an old movie with black smoke belching out behind the cars.'

"At that time, I didn't have a lot of knowledge about engines. I knew that there must be some problem with the engine's combustion [to have all that black smoke coming out] and I knew that an engine is about the combination of two elements: gas and air. I started looking into the gasoline side, but there had been lots of efforts to improve the gas - all sorts of additives - and none had really worked.

"So I started to think about the air side. I realized that if I wanted to change anything, I had to treat the air before it reached the combustion chamber."

From that initial brainstorm, after much trial and error, the Z5 emerged. In layman's terms, the device, built from a special alloy, improves the air flow into the engine in such a way that the combustion is much more efficient. By being more efficient, the car both uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions.

How does a teenager with a dream and lots of will power actually create a product? Trial and error, according to Badash.

"We had an old large generator in our house that used to put out lots of black smoke. I started trying to put different metals into the air filter. Then I would measure the amount of gas used and try and gauge whether less black smoke was coming out."

"It took a long time, with a lot of trial and error, until one day I realized that I was actually making a difference in the amount of smoke coming out," he recalled. "Well, I was very excited when I realized that I had discovered something which worked. It's not every day that a 16-year-old invents something.

"I went to my father and we took it to the next level. We spent two years perfecting it, finding the right metals. Now we've started to market it."

The next step for this budding inventor and entrepreneur is one familiar to most 18-year-olds here: Badash will soon be drafted into the IDF.

Asked whether he had any other ideas up his sleeve, Badash replied with a laugh, "We'll start with this right now and see where it goes."

WEBSITE__www.z55555.com
WEBSITE__www.upsite.co.il

HOW IT WORKS

When this higher quality air mixture reaches the combustion chambers it:

- Causes more efficient engine combustion (burning more of the fuel)

- Provides more engine power

- Results in a quieter engine running at optimal engine temperature

- Gives you more miles per gallon (kilometers per liter)

- And emits less pollution, like harmful carbon gases

And as a totally inert solution with no moving parts, Z5 needs no maintenance or repairs for as long as you drive.

How To Install -- www.upsite.co.il/uploaded/files/693_71ed16ddaab938583dbb942cc1814c56.pdf

Price -- $208

WEBSITE__v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?adjacent=true&KC=A2&date=20090129&NR=2009013740A2&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=WO&FT=DWO2009013740

DEVICE TO IMPROVE THE BURNING INSIDE A FREE COMBUSTION COMPARTMENT

Inventor: BADASH ZION [IL] ; SAADY ILAN
2009-01-29
Abstract -- The present invention provides an air supply assembly for providing air to an energy heat converter, the air supply assembly comprising an air inlet opening; an air outlet opening; and a metal element positioned in an air flow path between the air inlet opening and air outlet opening, wherein, when air which flowed through the metal element is used for combustion in the energy converter, the thermal efficiency of the energy converter increases, the fuel consumption of the energy converter is reduced and/or the air pollution created by the energy converter is reduced. The present invention also provides a method for reducing fuel consumption of an energy converter and a method for reducing air pollution created by an energy converter, the method comprising passing air through a metal element and using the air for combustion in the energy converter.

Description --

"Metal element 200 (Fig. 3)... may be made of various kinds of metals, such as copper, with or without thin coating of other material such as silver, gold or the like...

"Metal elements may be made of various materials or combinations of materials. metal elements may include, for example, solid copper, solid copepr laminated with gold with thickness of, for example, 80 micrometers, solid copper with presensce of solid bulk of gold, copper coated with thin layer of solver [ sic -- silver ? ] and/or palladium and/or platinum or all of the above mentioned in other physical forms similar to mesh...

"From the... various types of test parameters it is clearly shown that the efficiency of the production of thermal energy... is improved from about 10% to about 50%. The overall pollution... of exhaust gases has improve in the range of about 20% to about 66% and the specific pollution [ SO2 / SO3, NOx, and CO ] are mostly in the range of 10% to 50% of improvement..."

WEBSITE__v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?adjacent=true&KC=A2&date=20080124&NR=2008010201A2&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_EP&CC=WO&FT=D

WO2008010201
SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Inventor: BADASH ZION [IL] ; SAADY ILAN
2008-01-24
Abstract -- The present invention provides an air supply assembly for providing air to a combustion engine, the air supply assembly comprising an air inlet opening; an air outlet opening; and a metal element positioned in an air flow path between the air inlet opening and air outlet opening, wherein, when air which flowed through the metal element is used for combustion in the combustion engine, the fuel consumption of the combustion engine is reduced and/or the air pollution created by the combustion engine is reduced. The present invention also provides a method for reducing fuel consumption of a combustion engine and a method for reducing air pollution created by a combustion engine, the method comprising passing air through a metal element; and using the air for combustion in the combustion engine.