kickstart the bromped bike?

[cwah]

Hello all,

You've probably seen I've much more often on the forum now. And because I'm not working now, I have PLENTY of ideas lol.

I really enjoy my Bromped, and use them almost every day:

I like to take them out whenever I can.

And they allow me to reach so quickly destination. I think I usually travel 7km distance in 15-20mn anywhere. Only the rain stops me.

For me it's the ultimate commuting tool, as it goes as fast as a moped, but I can carry it with my to my house and take it through stairs as I don't have a garage. I can bring it with me in the train. I brought it to Paris, then brought it back to London, and then paris, etc

It's so easy to park! and a breeze to cycle with it. It's faster than bus for sure, very often faster than tube and car.

I've been used it for 1 solid year at 20-30mph, under ALL weather conditions and ALL road conditions. Bike can handle the speed, and it's not as un-safe as people think. Like cars, I just ride at lower speed on more accidented road.

Of course, it needs to homologation to be classified as moped...


I'm thinking maybe to kickstart it? It would be to offer an electric brompton or Mezzo reaching 45km/h and weighing less than 20kg. I would ask for 50 000GBP goal to see if people are really interested.

 

[trex]

excellent idea, I'm in - just say when.

 

[Streethawk]

If you did get it off the ground, Brompton would refuse to sell you their bikes. They are known for doing that, sorry to rain on the parade

 

[cwah]

Thanks Trex!! I'm trying to see if people would be interested before going into the adventure!!

Streethawk, it doesn't have to be brompton. It can be a Mezzo bike (as mentioned), or even chinese bike or custom made bike. If it gets off the ground and there is demand, I can still adapt to have a small under 20kg moped I could carry anywhere.

Biggest issue is the homologation I think.

But before all, question is... are people interested in such thing?

 

[flecc]

Biggest issue is the homologation I think.

Whether there's interest or not, I'm sure there's no hope of getting it type approved as a moped. It would need far better brakes, lighting, stop light, indicators, horn etc for starters. Structurally I don't think the vehicle inspectorate would accept the long seat post and handlebar risers as being safe for long term roads use at up to 30 mph, and I've no doubt they would find fault with many other parts on strength and security grounds, including the fold arrangement..

 

[cwah]

Thanks for the feedback Flecc.

Lightning, stop light, indicator, horns are not a problem at all. I already have very strong lightning and had turning light:
[video=youtube;58tOY14lNy8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tOY14lNy8[/video]

Brake is a bigger issue as using disk brake will add un-necessary weight and compromise the fold.... a moped with pad brake shouldn't be such an issue

 

[cwah]

but... if there are interest, maybe it worth a try to get it approved? And find solution on points that needs to be corrected?

 

[ghouluk]

i think you lose one or two of the key ingredients by getting it classed as a moped...need for a helmet, MOT and insurance would make the comparison with a scooter harder to make.

i guess it boils down to what sort of price you are talking, and what sort of spec.

I think you'll struggle to be better value and more accepted than scooters for city use - even with the lower running costs and portability.

its a nice idea though, and good luck.

one thing i will say is having been through a couple of kickstarters, you need to be very defined about what you're selling, how it will be produced and supplied before registering, or a/ you'll be hit by a competitive kickstart almost immediately b/ you'll be at risk of people "misunderstanding" what you're offering.

eg are you selling a brompton? a mezzo? a dahon? chinese folder? a kit? all of the above...?
are your lights and indicators up to standard? will you pass the standard tests in all EU countries or just some?

the other thing with kickstarter is you'll need to offer something fairly special to get people to part with cash - either by selling the kickstarter ones at a loss, or uplifting the final product (which of course you can discount off RRP, but its such a small market currently that if you alienate ppl who've bought into the kickstarter thinking they have a bargain, and then the retail product is the same price or cheaper, your name will be mud.)

If you want to know more about the pros and cons of crowdsourcing for funding, drop me a msg.