An Extra-Powerful Electric Bicycle

It’s hard to give up the convenience of driving for more eco-friendly transport, but the high-tech S2 electric bicycle is designed to convert the wary. “If we really want to convince people who take their cars, we need to give them an alternative that is worth considering,” says VanMoof chief of product design and technology Job Stehmann. The S2 has pulled ahead of its field, with a top speed of 20 m.p.h. and a range of 37 miles on a full charge (via wall plug). An LED display is built right into the frame, showing riders their speed and more. An antitheft system employs a high-pitched alarm and locking mechanism, which can be unlocked via smartphone app. And a turbo button sits ready to provide an extra boost of power to get up a hill or escape a tricky situation. —Alex Fitzpatrick