This sleek new electric bike keeps the battery hidden

A typical e-bike is immediately recognizable because of the extra-thick tube or bulge where the battery sits. But the designers of a new bike called the BER, wanted to make a more subtle version., “I wanted to conceal that it’s an electric bike,” says Danish designer Jens Martin Skibste, the cofounder of Biomega, the bike’s manufacturer. First, he says, the simple, minimal design just looks better. The design also differentiates the bike, the brand’s first for the American market, from other e-bikes on the road. [Photo: BER] An extra-slim battery The designers started with “the slimmest battery we could get that would actually take you somewhere,” he says. The battery, from a Taiwanese manufacturer, theoretically gives the bike 70 miles of range. That’s long enough for sprawling American commutes. (Skibste notes that he hasn’t yet tested riding it for 70 miles, and like electric cars, the actual range is likely to be a little less than the official number.) The bottom tube is just big enough for the slim battery to squeeze inside. The top tube is the same size—slightly thicker than normal—for visual balance. Other bike brands typically use standard tubes, and standard, bulky batteries. The shape of the bike references classic American cruisers, Skibste says. The lower height makes it easier to get on and off. [Photo: BER] Made from lightweight aluminum, it’s around 35 pounds, light enough to lug into an apartment or onto a commuter train. To make it easier to charge, the charging port sits under the decal on the front of the bike, rather than hidden under the frame, so you don’t have to bend down to find it. Lights are built into the handlebar and seat post. Instead of a chain, there’s a carbon fiber belt drive, making it easier to ride with office clothes. The bike, which will ship next summer, will retail for $2,500. Early preorders, available now, are $2,000 (one early customer will also win a trip to Copenhagen to experience local bike culture). [Photo: BER] Displacing cars with bikes The company wanted to make a bike for the U.S. because of the surge in demand for e-bikes. This year, the market may grow more than 10%. Over the next decade, sales may grow 150%. The U.S. is at the beginning stages of the trajectory that happened in Europe, where electric bikes now outsell regular bikes in several countries. By focusing on aesthetics, Skibte wanted to nudge more commuters to ride. When he founded Biomega in 1998, he aimed to help bikes displace more cars in cities by changing the perceived value of bikes. Urban infrastructure obviously also matters. The more bike lanes are built, the more people are willing to bike. But Skibte argues that it also goes the other way: If bikes are appealing enough, more people will ride, and more bike lanes will be built, setting up even more growth.