Lohner Stroler electric bicycles are designed to look like the small commuter motorcycles of the 1950s. And given the ubiquity of the retro-styled Vespa in today’s major European cities, perhaps the Austrian company is onto something.
If commuters are to be convinced the electric bicycle is more than a toy for weekends, the answer might be to disguise it as something older, smokier and nosier.
A narrow tank and whitewall tyres: Every inch the 1950s motorcycle
Lohner electric bicycles
The Lohner family has an illustrious automotive history including collaboration in 1900 with Ferdinand Porsche on the first electric car in the world.
After working on aircraft construction, propeller manufacture & electric trams, Lohner has turned its attention to the electric bicycle.
Made in Austria to order, and if appearance is anything to go by to a high build quality, it has an electric motor hidden in its back wheel, a battery under the saddle and an eight-litre storage compartment in its faux petrol tank. A full battery charge takes six hours after which it will whisk you along at 15 mph like all conventional electric bicycles.
In keeping with its motorcycle styling, the Stroler has built in mudguards and lights, but downsides includes an almost-moped like weight of 36 kg and retail price of £2,990.
Available in black, white, red, blue or silver. For more information, go to discoverdeliver.com
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Matt Hodges
With that “Tank” so high the saddle will have to be set very low so you can get feet to the ground without getting off the saddle. Therefore pedalling will be very difficult and inefficient. It is more an electric motorbike with pretend pedals to get round the rules.
Note the video – the riders did not pedal at all. Like that it cannot comply with the EEC Pedallec regulations.
Matt Hodges
Sorry that should be the second video.
Jaimes Lewis Moran
Below is a link to my blog on E-bikes, I’ve just done my version of ‘Is nostalgia the saviour of e-bikes?’
https://www.facebook.com/notes/electric-cruiser-bicycle-ecbs-blog/is-nostalgia-the-saviour-of-electric-bicycles/1659439570977561
Peter Soper
The saddle looks as though it would be ok to sit on but would quickly make you sore if you pedalled. I can see the appeal of the style, but wouldn’t want to try one.