Meet the Faraday Porteur, the hippest electric bicycle on the market. Dubbed “the ultimate modern utility bike” by the Oregon Manifest, the Porteur will take you places you never thought possible on a bike. However, with a $3,500 price tag, is this bike’s juice worth the squeeze?
The Porteur is the newest electric bike—colloquially referred to as e-bike—on the market. E-bikes are gaining popularity in the hipster community, replacing bicycles, and in some cases even cars. The bike’s advanced boosting technology draws attention from bike-commuters who regularly climb steep hills with heavy loads.
Riders can activate the Porteur’s Boost Mode by flipping a switch on the handlebar. The Boost delivers pedaling assistance from a 250W frictionless motor located in the frame of the bike. This can propel you up steep inclines, which is extremely helpful when you are riding with a basket full of gear in the bike’s quick-release front rack. Since Boost Mode only provides assistance to pedaling riders, it doesn’t require insurance coverage.
Originally a concept bike, the popular Porteur has recently been made available in retail markets. Its retro frame, high-powered LED lights and Boost Mode make it a favorite among commuters. However, if you are commuting to work or school on a bike in response to high gas prices, odds are you won’t be welcoming the Porteur’s $3,500 price tag with open arms. But if you’re looking for an electric bike to reduce your carbon footprint, the Porteur may be the perfect fit. For a more economical option, consider combining biking with public transportation.