Lyft removes e-bikes from service despite alarming reports of excessive braking

After reports of problematic brakes that sometimes resulted in biker injuries, Lyft removed its recently acquired network of electric bikes from three major cities. Citi Bike in New York, GoBike in San Francisco and Capital Bikeshare in Washington.

"After a small number of reports and as a precaution, we are proactively putting our bikes on hold," a spokesman for Citi Bike in Gizmodo said in an e-mail. "Safety first.

Citi Bike said the problem was with the front wheel braking system in the Motivate powered e-bike markets acquired by Lyft last year before it went public. Lyft plans to launch its own electric bike model soon.

Approximately 3,000 e-bikes are being taken out of service in the three regions, where Lyft also operates about 17,000 traditional bikes to share, reports Reuters. The electric bikes currently moored can not be rented, added the press service.

Citi Bike said in a blog post that the problem involved "stronger braking force than expected on the front wheel". As everyone who has ever used a motorcycle knows, braking with excessive force can force the rider to steal the handlebars or at least cause a fall.

This is exactly what happened exactly when Vice News tonight Correspondent William Turton, a former Gizmodo reporter, witnessed the problem:

However, despite having had "some cuts" in his face, Turton told Gizmodo in a text message that Citi Bike's "electric bikes" are the greatest creation of the modern era and that I will not be able to rest before coming back. "

Citi Bike spokesman said the company had used an outside engineering company to identify the cause of the problem, while striving to replace the electric bikes with ordinary bicycles so that 39, avoid service interruptions.

In the same blog, Citi Bike announced plans to roll out a new pedal-assisted bike model soon, saying that the new model "will be accessible simply by scanning a QR code and that, overall, it will be more fun to ride. "

Hoping that "pleasure" means "less risk of unexpected braking and possible injury".

[New York Times]