This afternoon I had the opportunity to meet up with the CEO of RideKick, Ken Schrader, right here in Mountain View! He brought along a prototype unit of the electric bicycle pusher design his company is releasing in Spring 2011 called the RideKick and I was able to take it out for a spin.
Over the past several years I’ve been following the evolution of this specific design from humble beginnings as the Bidwell Pusher up to what it is now and I’m happy to report that after extensive testing and questioning of the company founders that this is the real deal and it really works! I’m also impressed with the intentions and foresight of the people who are taking this product to market, a lot of thought was put in and it really shows.
Having the opportunity to touch the RideKick and actually see each of the components I’ve read and heard about was fantastic. So much thought went into this design! I have owned numerous bicycle trailers in my lifetime including the classic Burley and the modern Extrawheel Voyager and that has given me the opportunity to experiment with attachment mechanisms, safety features and overall ride quality. All things considered I feel that the RideKick is at the top of its game.
- The unit has a built in metal ring for use with bike locks and it’s strategically positioned at the head of the trailer arm so you don’t have to carry a huge chain.
- The storage bin has a built in combination code lock so you can leave the unit parked without worrying that someone might steal what’s inside.
- The on/off switch for the battery is located inside the storage compartment and has a built in flashing LED safety light so cars can see you more easily.
- For extra safety the RideKick comes with two reflective Velcro ankle wraps that will let cars know you’re there and keep your pants from getting caught in front chain loop of your bike.
- The unit is highly water resistant and has been ridden in the rain and
through puddles without fail and without dousing what’s inside. - There is a replaceable fuse mounted right on the control unit along with an error/power/charge icon for diagnosing problems.
- The electrical system software can be updated down the road using any standard computer and a USB cable.
- A built in female USB connector lets you charge or power your mobile device, light or anything else that accepts USB power!
- The battery is completely removable and self contained which means you can leave the RideKick in your garage or parked outside and just carry the small battery inside.
- The wheels on the RideKick are free-spinning which means you can coast without noise or drag. They also have tubes and are made of rubber like normal bike tires which provides extra grip and comfort when riding.
- You can pull the ridekick along with your hands (say if you just unloaded it from the trunk of your car or are walking out to your bike) and it pulls just like a piece of luggage (see beginning of video above).
- For maximum storability and space conservation you can tilt the RideKick vertical and it will balance on its end on two rubber pads designed specifically for this purpose (no worries about scratching the paint or having it tip over).
The list of features and benefits offered by this very affordable $549 product goes on and on and on… Even attaching it to the bike itself is a very simple process. The first time you mount the attachment piece you’ll have to take out your rear axle but from there on out the trailer connects in a snap and even includes a safety leash and locking pin. While talking with Ken I learned that users could order multiple attachment devices and additional throttle controls so hypothetically a family could have a whole garage of “RideKick-ready” bikes and then just pass the unit from one person to the next.
I’ve covered many of these details in past articles but here’s a quick breakdown on price and release info
- RideKick launches Spring 2011 and will cost $549.
- At some point there will be optional colored lids and different dimensions available including a lid with a flat top and rack for stacking stuff ala old-school station wagon.
- RideKick can reach top speeds of 19mph and with the Lead Acid battery it goes about 10 miles without peddling. The Lithium option will go 20 to 25 and weighs a bit less.
- Additional battery packs for Lead Acid are just $80 so you could leave one at home and one at the office in a sort of perpetual charging/use exchange.
- RideKick weighs 40lbs and the Lead Acid battery makes up about 19 of those pounds.
I’m excited to see this item hit stores and will definitely be picking one up. The design team really went the extra mile to create a product that is strong, efficient, smart and forward thinking. It rides well, doesn’t cost very much to own and still manages to prioritize safety. This is the perfect solution for people who want to keep their regular bike accessible but reap the benefits of an electric bike or trailer to get groceries, climb larger hills or fight the wind. It will motivate you to ride your bike more often and in turn you’ll be saving gas and living a healthier lifestyle. Great job guys!
