Do you know that electric bikes have a history of more than 130 years?

Since the 1990s, electric bikes with improved designs have entered the vision of the public, and have gradually become a new favorite of people in transportation.

Here we start with the birth of the first bike and electric bike, to know the history of electric bikes and understand the relationship between bikes and e-bikes.

 

BIRTH & IMPROVEMENT

In 1817, the inventor of the first bicycle Karl Von Drais created this new type of transportation to reduce dependence on horses (which are the main vehicle of the time). After several generations of improvements, bicycles gradually attracted the attention of the upper class.

Until 1885, the birth of the "safety bicycle" reduced the hidden danger of cycling. The decline in price and the improvement of the riding experience made it a public-oriented product.

"Safety bicycle" is the prototype of the first electric bike in the world.

In 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. submitted a patent for the first electric bike, which is battery-powered with a heavy hub motor mounted inside the rear wheel. Its battery was 10 volts and up to 100-Amps, but the battery and motor still slowed down the speeds of the bike. Therefore, this e-bike was not popular at that time. Despite this, Bolton's invention has laid the foundation for modern electric bikes, and become the pioneer of e-bikes.

（image credit: google）

In 1897, Hosea W. Libbey invented an electric bike with a double electric motor. He designed the motor at the outer end of the tires, which is the position for the pedal. Canceling the function of the pedal was controversial, but as a start of the mid-drive motor, this bicycle has a faster speed and a more stable body. Since then, many electric bikes have followed this motor design.

（image credit: google）

In 1899, a quite innovative electric bike was invented, with the motor powered by a roller that pressed against the rear tire. It used friction to drive the power to the wheel as a "friction drive". Compared to the above, it was more noisy and visible, even could not be started when the tires got wet. But it's still welcomed by some DIY enthusiasts because of the low price and simple structure.

（image credit: google） 

 

DEADLOCK & INNOVATION

Due to the popularity of fuel vehicles, and the weight problem of battery and frame has not been solved, the improvement of electric bikes has gradually reached a deadlock. However, ordinary bicycles in the same period are still popular with the public. Various manufacturers catered to people's needs and introduced various versions of improved bicycles as the market and times changed.

In the 1990s, people tried to design electric bikes in the form of providing auxiliary power by pedaling, which was also known as "pedal assist system (PAS)". Only by pedaling, can an electric bike provide assisted power to riders through the motor system. Therefore riders’ pressure of pedaling would be decreased, and the riding would be effortless.

In 1989, Michael Kutter invented the first "Pedelec (pedal electric cycle)". Before it, people focused on how to use the throttle for improvement, while he took a different approach to create an e-bike that could be started by pedaling instead of the throttle. In this case, some e-bikers regarded Michael Kutter as the father of electric bikes, yet the previous could only be regarded as the history of the invention of the e-motorbike.

（image credit: google）

The sensor and controller are made to provide the most important basic accessories for modern e-bikes. The gear, speed of riding, and battery capacity that we all know today depend on their cooperation.

The improvement of batteries is also the key to the rebirth of electric bikes. The evolution of electric bikes is slowed down by the heavy weight of the lead-acid battery. After the lithium-ion battery was widely used in 1993, electric bikes therefore can have lighter, smaller, and safer large-capacity batteries.

 

NOW & FUTURE

At the beginning of the 21st century, e-bikes were popular with the public for their environmental-friendly concept and economic value. It maintained a popular trend in the following 20 years. In 2013, FreyBike was established, and we devoted ourselves to designing and manufacturing electric bikes, building a brand that was welcomed by cyclists.

After 130 years of evolution, modern electric bikes are completely different from their position in history. It's the market trend to help people get an environmental-friendly, convenient and healthy lifestyle.

Compared with history, we look forward to its bright future. FreyBike will witness the progress and popularization of electric bikes together with cyclists in the future.

 

Again, We sincerely hope you can Free Ride& Enjoy Yourself!