03:38, Monday 1st April 2024
Gocycle has released the first details about its new range of e-cargo bikes, including a child safety system that is inspired by the Halo technology used in Formula One.
The HaloCX is sold as a separate accessory and is designed to offer an extra layer of protection for a child travelling in a rear seat on Gocycle’s electric cargo bikes. Details are thin on the ground at the minute, but it appears to essentially be a guardrail that completely wraps around the seat.
While the brand hasn’t released full details on the technology, Gocycle has confirmed that its inspiration derives from the Halo safety system used on Formula One cars. Mandatory since 2018, the Halo is a protective barrier that is placed around the driver’s cockpit to prevent objects and debris from hitting the driver, while also protecting against other impacts. It has been credited with saving multiple drivers in potentially life-threatening situations.
The HaloGX appears to differ slightly by protecting the body rather than the head, plus it is constructed from carbon fibre rather than the titanium used in Formula One.
“Inspired by F1 and my own experiences with my son doing the school run on a Gocycle, HaloCX redefines safety and ergonomics for kids,” Gocycle founder Richard Thorpe said in a press release. “Crafted from carbon fibre, it’s lightweight yet incredibly strong. With no sharp corners or welded joints, smooth to hold and feel, it’s a seamless blend of safety and fun.”
Read more: The all-new Specialized Turbo Porto is a shape-shifting e-cargo bike
With a background in Formula One as a design engineer for McLaren, it’s not too surprising that Thorpe’s company takes some of its design inspiration from the motorsport. That’s also reflected in the overall design of the company’s new electric cargo bikes, the CXi and CX+, which both benefit from the British company’s new WingPillar frame design.
Gocycle hasn’t revealed too much about this yet, but it appears to be a new take on the, you guessed it, F1-inspired frames the company has been using for its folding e-bikes.
It has also stuck to other design philosophies, like the compact and integrated characteristics that also define its folding range. From a brief glance at the images, this means complete integration with no signs of cables anywhere, while the frames are foldable – this is unique and essentially opens up a new category of folding cargo e-bikes.
It’s an interesting take, although the 23kg weight will make it more difficult to carry the bikes around than regular folding bikes. They’re still comparably much lighter than most e-cargo bikes, though, and pack in a range of up to 80km. The maximum stated assistance is 20mph, but this will be capped in countries where there are maximum legal assisted speeds.
“At Gocycle we cook with different ingredients, with our OneDesignDNA® philosophy running through the core of every model,” Thorpe said. “Instantly recognizable as a Gocycle, the all-new CXi employs Gocycle’s kernel of patented innovations such as our side-mounted Pitstopwheels®, Gocycle’s F1-inspired monocoque chassis, enclosed Cleandrive® drivetrain and internal cabling.”
The bikes are currently in the pre-production phase but are available to pre-order now, with the CX+ selling for £5,832 and the CXi, very specifically, for £4,999.17.
Learn more about the bikes on Gocycle’s website.