One of the weirdest feelings is when you step onto one of those moving walkways, you know, you see them in airports. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s pretty much just a flat escalator that only saves you about 20 steps, but when you walk on it, your brain and body, how to adjust to that “Wait, why is my body moving faster than my feet?” feeling. Well, it turns out that those moving walkways are the perfect training wheels for what could be a new mode of transportation. That’s keeping it all in stride.
Update January, 2021:
A variant without an electric motor is also available, which can be considered as an alternative for more active use, the Current Coasters Foldable Kickbike Scooter:
Lopifit electric walking bike tech specs
| Tech specs | |
|---|---|
| Lopifit Bike Price: | 2895$ |
| Length: | 87.4” |
| Width: | 16.5” |
| Height of the handlebar: | 47.2” |
| Front wheel: | 28” x 1.1/2” |
| Rear wheel: | 20” x 1.75” |
| Gross weight: | 121.2lbs |
| Weight limit: | 300lbs |
| Maximum speed: | 15mph |
| Range: | up to 50mi |
| Engine: | Bafang |
| Voltage: | 48V |
| Power: | 350W |
| Battery: | LG Cells |
| Battery elec. Capacity: | 960Wh / 20Ah |
| Battery Weight: | 5 kg |
| Charger, Charging time: | 4 Hours |
| Brake, front and rear: | Disc Brakes |
This transportation device is not your run-of-the-mill bicycle and it’s not a scooter either. It’s actually a combination of both with a treadmill in between the wheels, it’s called the Lopifit and this walking bicycle was invented by Bruin Bergmeester to keep us fit and moving.
Bruin’s idea evolved while walking on a treadmill at the gym. If you’re bored with your treadmill in a boring fitness studio, why don’t you take it out?
Bruin took this idea, went online and bought an adult scooter, also called a kick bike. He cut the bike in half and welded a frame between the wheels; a frame large enough to fit a treadmill. Eventually, Bruin discovered that an electric motor could be incorporated to keep the treadmill running.
Why don’t you just go out and take a walk?
This is a bicycle. It can go faster, so you get more distance with this treadmill bike. It’s more interesting than normal walking. The bike first hit the streets in 2014 and now it’s taking off internationally with a growing ridership in Europe, the USA, and South America. It’s become a runaway success even in Qatar perhaps because regular cycling can be difficult in a row.
How to ride Lopifit bike?
Well, at first you put one foot on the kick bike. Then you kick-off and you started walking on the treadmill. When it starts rolling, there is a small computer on board that will activate the motor.
In a study, Lopifit found that 30% get into gear immediately. While 10% have major difficulties getting off to a smooth start. I am with the 60% who need a few minutes, I have to practice. It’s different than I thought. I lot faster than I thought!
So, I’ve planned all day off the city. You don’t need a license to drive a Lopift and helmets are not mandatory while practicing on a country road, but I suggest wearing one while you’re doing first miles. I find that I can stop walking and the bike still keeps moving.
After a while, I really get the hang of it, but I’m still drawing attention. I overtake most cyclists with ease, although I’m making no effort at all. Yeah, it takes some practice, but I certainly wouldn’t be able to enjoy my ice cream as much on a normal bike. This is possibly the fastest and at the same time, the most comfortable walk of my life. It was really big.
What’s inside and variations
It’s all powered by a rechargeable battery that will last about 37 miles. The bike can travel at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, so now you can tread lightly and walk sprightly while taking a hike on a bike.
Four colors are available for this bike: blue, red, black and green:
The main disadvantage of this Lopifit bike is its cost. It is really very high, especially compared to the top-end conventional electric bikes. You can check its price in the USA on Amazon
Due to the fact that the price is very high, perhaps one of our readers will be interested in creating a business for renting such electric bicycles in their city. I think many will be interested in trying a 10-30 minute ride on such a bike.
Andrew Moon. Gadgets reviews editor. Hardware geek, former professional overclocker with 15 years of experience.
andrewmoon.hw@yahoo.com
That is the weirdest treadmill bike I’ve ever seen! Only dutch people could come up with this kind of bicycle. Very interesting)
I’m interested to order a first lote of 50 Unit of Electric walking bikes to be sent to Santa Marta city, Colombia in South America.
please give me an estimation for this 50 units.
Regards, Wilmer Cabrera, +14034724939
What is the weight limit?
Hello! It’s weight limit is 300lbs
It would be interesting to see if eventually by walking on the bike it also recharges the battery to provide consistent transportation without the worry of having to plug it in.
Yep, that is a really good and obvious feature for that kind of vehicle!
Will there be a Lopifit treadmill that I can run on in the future? I would like to move a bit faster than 15MPH.
The future of this project in the USA is currently unclear, it is not known if they will make new models of bikes.
This is very cool. Can you tell me why I would prefer walking on it to peddling a bicycle?
For the same reason that people use hoverboards, electric scooters, etc. Just for fun)
Is there a way to continue riding this if you add a repositioning seat? I can’t stand for a long time. Yes the comment of the recharging battery is a must.