This Week in the Mercury

So You Think You Can Arabesque?

Film

So You Think You Can Arabesque?

First Position: Dancing Kids with Bloody Feet!


Geek Out

Film

Geek Out

Devil's Advocate



  |  

Friday, September 30, 2011

Tech / Transportation PDX Police + One-Wheeled Electric Vehicle of the Future

Posted by Alex Zielinski on Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 9:44 AM

So much for authority figures on Segways. The Portland Police Bureau is about to step it up a notch — well, in a year. For a summer.

Meet the Micro-Cycle, the robocop-esque electric crotch rocket of the future!

The micro-cycle waits.
  • Ryno Motors
  • The micro-cycle waits.

PPB has signed a lease with local auto biz Ryno Motors to test out two of their spiffy, one-wheeled rides next year for a mere $1 each. The current prototype goes for $4,200 on the market. The electric micro-cycle (the name takes me back to fourth grade) can reach top speeds of 20 miles an hour and boasts a range of 30 miles. With a high-powered charger, the vehicle can power up in an hour and a half.

Ryno Motors created these electric vehicles with a seemingly undefined rider in mind. The lease with PPB, “validates the bike as being rugged and reliable and seen as having a useful purpose,” says Ryno CEO Christopher Hoffmann, according to Sustainable Business Oregon.

And the cops who've already had a sneak peek are pleased. “The most important thing for them is that when you stop, you put your feet down,” says Hoffman. Makes me wonder how cops stop on their bikes or motorcycles currently.

But — the futuristic fun doesn't stop here! The Sustainable Business Oregon article goes on to illustrate the wonders of this EV unicycle. I feel like a list would do them justice:

- The micro-cycle will be "the ride of choice by musician-cum-actress" Carrie Brownstein in an upcoming episode of Portlandia AND will be featured in a patent office scene in Portland's Leverage

- The micro-cycle design was inspired by a child’s video game

- Micro-cycle riders are at eye-level in conversation (this is creepy to me, maybe it's just the wording)

- This bad boy can be fueled by a laptop charger

Alright. I'll let the rest speak for itself. Prepare yourself, Portland.

 

Comments (13) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
UUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

MAKE IT STOP!!!
Posted by Graham on September 30, 2011 at 9:55 AM · Report
2
Come on Graham. We can ride it together! Piggyback! Yaaay!
Posted by Will Radik on September 30, 2011 at 10:01 AM · Report
3
So Portland cops are now going to be riding on fancier version of this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ0X43Ck8mg…
Lord have mercy.
Posted by noah.dunham on September 30, 2011 at 10:06 AM · Report
4
Chase 'n Mace

Motobacone

Scooty Fuzz Jr.

Posted by Commenty Colin on September 30, 2011 at 10:11 AM · Report
5
I think it was Darkwing Duck. There was a crime fighting, robocop looking duck that rode a unicycle. What was his name?
Posted by Chester Copperpot on September 30, 2011 at 10:15 AM · Report
6
@CHESTER COPPERPOT: YOU'RE THINKING OF GIZMO DUCK WHO WAS ON DUCK TALES. I'M NOT SURE IF HE WAS EVER A REGULAR CHARACTER ON DARKWING DUCK.
Posted by Graham on September 30, 2011 at 10:24 AM · Report
7
And his unicycle was built-in. Still, if you owned one of these....Halloween costume!
Posted by Reymont on September 30, 2011 at 10:33 AM · Report
8
Thank you, Graham, for setting Mr. Copperpot straight.
Posted by Denis C. Theriault on September 30, 2011 at 10:42 AM · Report
9
You don't see all those cops downtown doing trackstands on their fixies?
Posted by ($8239f8h248cerfehjf23@&*@ebdjhb23f237OCDBO#BD*(# on September 30, 2011 at 10:43 AM · Report
10
It is conveniently sized to allow them to bring it right into the Starbucks.
Posted by Number Six on September 30, 2011 at 10:47 AM · Report
11
I'd prefer my Triumph or my Cannondale over this any day...cute party piece novelty though.
Posted by Sportbikeorroadbike on September 30, 2011 at 11:38 AM · Report
12
That is quite literally a crotch rocket.
Posted by Abusive on September 30, 2011 at 11:45 AM · Report
13
Can't cops fucking walk? Walk around the neighborhoods, pick up trash. Trash Cops, tough on crime while cleaning grime.
Posted by Tom [______] . on October 1, 2011 at 3:53 PM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use