New GM eBikes announced, available for preorder
The new eBike brand name – ARIV – was selected as part of a global crowdsourcing campaign announced last November.
“The crowdsourcing campaign allowed us to bring consumers into the development of our brand,” says Hannah Parish, ARIV director. “Combine that with our products and our blend of bike and automotive talent, and the result is a unique brand DNA.”
The brand includes two connected eBikes: the Meld, a compact eBike; and the Merge, a folding eBike. Engineered and designed in GM facilities in Michigan and Oshawa, Ontario, the ARIV eBikes are launching first in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, due to the popularity of lithium-ion battery-powered eBikes in those markets.
According to the company, its extensive experience with electric vehicle motor software and controls greatly influenced the proprietary GM motor that was built from the ground up specifically for the ARIV eBikes. The motor is claimed to deliver “top-of-segment” power and torque for its size, and enables speeds of up to 25 kph with four levels of pedal-assisted power.
The ARIV eBike battery was validated to safety standards similar to the company’s electric vehicles batteries. The battery can be charged in approximately 3.5 hours and provides up to 64 kilometers of ride time on a single charge.
The ARIV Merge and Meld come standard with safety components such as integrated, rechargeable front and rear LED safety lights for increased visibility and oversized brake rotors to increase stopping power. The eBikes were designed to address the needs of urban commuters, with features such as internal cable routing to yield a modern, uninterrupted look, while their compact design allows for easier transit and more convenient storage.
Both eBikes connect with the ARIV eBike app via Bluetooth. The app provides riding metrics such as speed, distance, remaining battery level, motor assist level, distance traveled. and more. Planned additional features include a mode that will use a proprietary algorithm to help riders arrive at their destination sweat-free.
Each ARIV Merge and Meld comes equipped with a Quad Lock smartphone mount. An integrated USB port allows riders to maintain their phone’s charge while on the go.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, the ARIV Meld is 2.800 € and the ARIV Merge is 3.400 €. In Germany, the ARIV Meld is 2.750 € and the ARIV Merge is 3.350 €. The eBikes are scheduled to begin shipping to customers in Q2 of 2019.
Preorders of the ARiV eBikes are available via www.BikeExchange.com.
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