BikeBiz

High performance engineering firm to bring Formula One technology to bicycle market

German bike manufacturer Storck Bicycle has joined forces with Cosworth Group, best known for its ties with the world of cars and motorsports, to develop an electric bicycle range.

The two parties expect the partnership to produce light, powerful and efficient e-bikes. Cosworth will bring technology from high performance industries – including Formula One – to the development of the e-bikes.

According to Cosworth, the increasingly popular commuter bicycle sector has seen a million extra bicycle units sold in 2010.

Andy Warr is responsible for the Storck relationship at Cosworth. He said: “Our diversification into developing clean technologies has identified cycling and more specifically the electric bike as an exciting area for Cosworth. Storck have a likeminded approach to technology and so our partnership will bring together some state of the art mechanical and electronic developments to create lighter, more powerful electric bikes.

“The economics of commuting are already changing for many people, reflecting rising fuel costs and we believe that there will be an increasingly large space for electric bikes in the transport market. The savings available by cycling are significant and electric bikes can make this option available to commuters who may travel distances that are considered too far to cycle.”

Ian Hughes, UK distributor for Storck RADAR bicycles, added: “We’ve seen strong growth in bicycle sales particularly for commuting purposes in the UK with over a million extra units sold in 2010. This has coincided with increasing interest in the electric bike market driven by rising fuel prices and changing lifestyle trends.

“Cosworth’s vast knowledge of high performance engineering will help develop more efficient and lighter electric engines, batteries and control systems along with other potential new applications,” Hughes said.