Is nostalgia the saviour of electric bicycles?

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.

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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.

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.

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