Advertisement
Canada markets close in 1 hour 24 minutes

  • S&P/TSX

    21,966.19
    +80.81 (+0.37%)
     

  • S&P 500

    5,104.92
    +56.50 (+1.12%)
     

  • DOW

    38,281.44
    +195.64 (+0.51%)
     

  • CAD/USD

    0.7318
    -0.0005 (-0.07%)
     

  • CRUDE OIL

    83.96
    +0.39 (+0.47%)
     

  • Bitcoin CAD

    87,423.83
    -760.55 (-0.86%)
     

  • CMC Crypto 200

    1,332.20
    -64.34 (-4.61%)
     

  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,352.30
    +9.80 (+0.42%)
     

  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,002.81
    +21.70 (+1.10%)
     

  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.6710
    -0.0350 (-0.74%)
     

  • NASDAQ

    15,928.32
    +316.56 (+2.03%)
     

  • VOLATILITY

    15.09
    -0.28 (-1.82%)
     

  • FTSE

    8,139.83
    +60.97 (+0.75%)
     

  • NIKKEI 225

    37,934.76
    +306.28 (+0.81%)
     

  • CAD/EUR

    0.6836
    +0.0015 (+0.22%)
     
MARKETS LIVE BLOG:

STOCKS RISE, LED BY STELLAR ALPHABET, MICROSOFT EARNINGS

Latest stubborn U.S. inflation reading will bring about more 'wait and see' from the Fed

The Ford E-Bike: An Interesting Urban Solution, but No Replacement for a Car

William Bias

Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) recently introduced its third electric bike, called the MoDe:Flex, as part of the company’s Smart Mobility initiative. This represents a follow-up to the two earlier models, the MoDe:Me and the MoDe:Pro, introduced in March, according to the company website.

Overall, Ford’s e-bike series represents a solution to a very urban problem: the long commute. It offers urban dwellers an easier and more eco-friendly way to traverse the city landscape. The MoDe:Pro can do the same thing for the commercial pizza or package delivery person. The e-bike lies at an interesting intersection between transportation and technology.

ALSO READ: The Worst Companies to Work For

On that note, the e-bike connects "seamlessly” with an app that supplies the rider with information regarding factors affecting the commute, such as weather, current parking costs and traffic patterns. In addition, it provides “health and fitness information.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The MoDe:Link software designed for smartwatches provides compelling hardware interactivity for the rider. It causes the handlebars to vibrate before coming to a pothole. The smartwatch also alerts the rider by beeping, according to Ford’s website.

The e-bike can be folded and placed on charge within a Ford vehicle, making it an easy complement to owning a Ford. With that said, the e-bike was never intended to replace a car or a truck, even in urban areas.

ALSO READ: States With the Fastest (and Slowest) Growing Economies

The e-bike would be most feasible for the urban commuter who travels only a few blocks to get to work or the commuter train and when driving a car or truck would only slow things down. In contrast, distance and speed limitations of the e-bike simply will not work for the rural commuter who needs to travel 30 to 50 miles to work.

Thomson/First Call has the mean analyst target price pegged at $17.35 per share, representing a 14% increase from its current stock price, as of this writing.

Related Articles