Motochimp: The electric monkey bike built for the city

Singapore based company Vanda Electric recently unveiled their latest creation, which puts a serious twist on a light-hearted classic and aims to redefine urban transportation.

The Motochimp is an emission-free monkey bike with a lithium-ion battery that boasts a range of up to 40km from a single 60-minute charge. It uses a standard three pin plug, which is neatly stowed in a small storage compartment underneath the seat.

At just over a metre long and high, its box-like design makes it easy to stow indoors, whilst its 750mm wheelbase is ideal for negotiating the twists and turns of a busy city at a safe top speed of 20mph.

Its light and durable body is made from stainless steel and aluminium alloy, with a smooth, attractive finish that comes in red, yellow or blue. Neat features include contactless digital ignition and a mini speedometer on the handlebars.

Monkey bikes were first popularised by Honda in the 1960s, with their best known model being the Z 50. Despite their humorous appearance, the low centre of gravity and small components of a monkey bike make for a surprisingly controlled and enjoyable riding experience.

The Motochimp is being launched this week at the International Industrial Design Fair in Shenzhen, China, and is set to retail for around £1,600 when it reaches Europe. You can find out more at the Motochimp website.

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