It goes by many different names: the urban motorcycle, the two-wheeled personal EV, the electric moped or motorbike. However it’s described, it’s a vehicle whose time has come. They’ve long been a dominant presence in Chinese cities thanks to generous state subsidies and bans on petrol vehicles but in the west their take-up has been comparatively slow mainly because of “range anxiety”. However, as battery technology improves and innovation gathers pace, cleverly designed bikes are appearing on the market. They still might not be the best choice for heading up mountains or moving between cities, but the appeal of these near-silent, nippy, eco-friendly vehicles is extending well beyond the biker fraternity.
Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6
Price: from £6,000
The original Royal Enfield WD/RE – or Flying Flea – was commissioned in the 1940s by the British War Office as an all-terrain bike that could be dropped by parachute. Post-war, thousands ended up being used for urban commutes and this all-electric redesign sees it return to the city streets. Visually, it’s faithful to the original, including Royal Enfield’s uniquely styled girder fork and a teardrop tank in which you’ll now find a wireless phone charger. Its touchscreen interface, which works in the rain and while wearing gloves, can be used to select ride mode, plan routes and check range estimation. Charging is onboard – just plug in and power up – and there’s an optional removable pillion for two-seater riding.
