This Electric Bike Is the Chicest Alternative to Indego Bike Share
Photograph by Trevor Dixon.
Though bike-sharing is having a major moment in Philly, Benelli’s new electric model — the Italian brand’s first e-bike to launch in North America — gives you an excuse to keep your wheels to yourself.
The bike’s classic Euro-cool profile, complete with a luxe leather saddle and grips, belies the fact that this baby’s got some juice. A cleanly integrated 350-watt motor lets you power-pedal up to 20 mph; just flip a switch and place a magnetic key on the dash to activate the system. The removable battery pack, positioned low on the center of the frame for a balanced ride, gives you up to 40 miles at a speed of 20 mph on one charge; it takes about four to six hours to fully charge again.
A low-maintenance eight-gear internal gearbox lets traditional pedal-pushers easily maneuver through stop-and-start traffic. Even better? With a lightweight aluminum frame, the bike weighs in at 48 pounds, about 10 pounds lighter than most e-bikes. It’s perfect for no-sweat morning commutes, windy Shore rides, or (finally) whizzing past those hard-core Spandex-clad cyclists.
The Details: Classica e-bike, $2,100 at Philly Electric Wheels, Chestnut Hill.
