You are here: Home / Bicycles / Japan Invents the Electric Baby Bike

Japan Invents the Electric Baby Bike

October 26, 2012 by 11 Comments
Facebook Twitter Stumbleupon Digg Email Reddit Tumblr

Japanese baby seat e-bike

Looking every inch like something Margaret won’t let me put my baby on, the Assista mamachiri (Japanese for “Mama bike”, sorta) is a fully geared pedal-assist bicycle that – surely! – can be easily hacked to positively blitz through modern-day Chicago traffic at break-neck totally safe for babies speeds. It’s enough to make the great Nils Ferber (king of the bike-nutters) giggle.

Built and sold by a company called Bridgeport, some 300,000 Assista e-bikes have been ordered for the Japanese market, where things like this are dutifully ridden and the awesomeness of a multi-gear electric bike becomes about “efficiency” rather than “Wheee!”

Over-protective and fearful people (Margaret) should note that, despite its potential awesomeness, the Assista offers a throne-like ride for the younger occupants of the bike. The gov’t safety-spec. child seats include Formula 1-style head restraints, which protect the child in the event the bike tips over. The seats also include comfy footrests, and in the back seat, a handlebar for hanging on and “getting in the spirit” of things.

Without the rear seat, I must admit, it looks quite a bit “meaner”, but …

Japanese baby seat e-bike

… I have to admit, it could use some diaper bag panniers at rear. What do you think, readers? Is this just the thing to get your little tykes all jazzed up about being the next wave of “Premium Rush” bike-messenger types, or is this going to send them down that (allegedly) dangerous path towards scooterdom and motorcycling?

You’ve got a comment section, you tell me!

Source: Treehugger.

Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Filed Under: Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, International, Light Electric Vehicles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
About Jo Borras

I've been working in motorsports and tuning since 1997, with some the biggest names in the business. In 2008, the work we did on a hybrid/EV concept car attracted the attention of Gas 2 editors, and they invited me to join the team. I couldn't resist!

  • Jason Carpp

    Call me old fashioned, but when it comes to bicycles, I’ve always preferred peddling with my feet than have a motor pedal for me. Once I’m up to cruising speed, however, I wouldn’t mind the motor taking over.

    • http://importantmedia.org/members/joborras/ Jo Borras

      I think you’re missing the point of a pedal-assisted bike. You still *HAVE TO PEDAL*, it just makes pedaling easier. Think of it like an extra low gear, and it’ll make more sense.

      • Jason Carpp

        That makes sense.

  • http://MrEnergyCzar.com MrEnergyCzar

    The pedal assist bike I had was great, it smooths out the hills and you can go twice as far using the same human energy…..

    MrEnergyCzar

  • Dennis

    Ebikes are awesome! It’s not about not pedaling, it’s about going farther, faster. It’s about climbing hills you wouldn’t otherwise climb, carrying things you wouldn’t normally carry, showing up for work not looking like you just finished the Tour. You pedal MORE on an Ebike because you are MUCH more likely to use it than a regular bike.

    • Jason Carpp

      I’ve never used an electric bike before. It looks like fun.

    • http://importantmedia.org/members/joborras/ Jo Borras

      Well said, Dennis!

  • Pingback: Wilderness Survival Gear Photos Blog

  • Pingback: Daily Green Wrap-up 26.October, 2012 | GreenJoyment

  • http://www.tokyobybike.com/ Tokyo By Bike

    Bicycles such as this one capable of carrying 2 (and even 3 children) have been popular in Japan for decades. But as the price of electric bicycles comes down the electric versions have become more and more popular.

    A number of years ago the Tokyo Metropolitan Police department tried to outlaw carrying 2 children per bicycle, but for mothers who rely on the bicycle as their primar means of transport around the neighbourhood ignored the law and eventually police were forced to back down. Mothers in Japan NEED to be able to carry 2 children by bicycle.

    After the police backed down on that law measures were put into place to ensure that bicycles designed to carry two children met certain safety standards.

    There are hundreds of thousands of these bicycles in use all around Japan with very few safety issues. Give one a try, there is nothing better than having a conversation with your child riding up front while cycling!

  • Pingback: Bike Child Seats | Bicycles for Sale at Low Prices