When designer Adam Vollmer created the Faraday Porteur, he never intended for it to become commercially available. But, the bicycle stole so many hearts when it won the Oregon Manifest bicycle competition last year, that he decided to share the fruits of his labor with the rest of the world and subsequently, he founded Faraday Bicycles.
Merging the convenience of electric with the looks of a classic, the Faraday Porteur, manages to straddle the line between the two with grace. Thanks to lithium batteries cleverly hidden inside the frame, it looks like a traditional everyday rider, with only an on/off switch and an e-ink battery readout to belie its true nature.
Once you start pedaling, the bike will automatically match your power, and if you’re wanting to exert less effort, a tap on the boost button will provide a little extra help. Other features include LED headlights and taillights that are built into the frame and controlled by an ambient light sensor, and a large front rack that can hold 30 pound loads – more than enough to carry your dinner and beers from the grocery store.
The bicycle is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign which has a target of $100,000 USD, set for Aug. 11. It looks well ahead of schedule at the moment, with nearly $94,000 pledged with 17 days to go.
Be warned though, the Porteur does not come cheap, at $3,500.
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SÃle Cleary is a regular contributor to Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @silecleary.
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