The VanMoof V Hyperbike: The Quest for a 31 mph E-Bike—and Why Faster Isn’t Always Better
Unpacking the VanMoof V’s bold speed ambitions and the debate over superfast e-bikes in urban environments.
Introduction: A New Breed of Urban E-Bike
The VanMoof V is making headlines as a flagship “hyperbike” offering car-rivaling performance and a suite of advanced technological features. With two motors and a projected top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h), it pushes the limits of what most riders, city planners, and regulators expect from an e-bike. But does the promise of replacing cars with ultra-fast e-bikes hold up to scrutiny—or is there more to consider?
VanMoof V: A Technical Overview
VanMoof, the Dutch brand famous for its minimalist and tech-forward urban bikes, has reimagined high-speed electric travel with the V. Its headline features include:
- Dual motors: One in each wheel for two-wheel drive and optimized acceleration and traction.
- 700Wh battery: Large, frame-integrated battery for substantial range.
- 31 mph (50 km/h) top speed: Significantly faster than the typical legal limits for e-bikes in most cities.
- Full suspension: Inverted front fork and rear setup for comfort on varied terrain.
- Thick tires and a new frame design: For stability at higher speeds and urban obstacles.
- Signature VanMoof tech: Turbo Boost button, automatic electronic shifting, Kick Lock (keyless, button-activated lock), and built-in GPS theft recovery.
These features, designed to enhance both safety and convenience, position the VanMoof V as a radical step forward in the integration of technology and performance in e-bikes.
Beyond the Bike Lane: The Vision for Car Replacement
VanMoof calls the V its first high-speed e-bike designed for road use, not just bike lanes. The brand’s ambition is to shrink cities, cut commutes, and replace private cars on short- to medium-distance trips. The V’s range and capability aim to address the “15-minute city” concept, enabling most urban journeys without needing a car.
Advocates see this as a sustainability win: e-bikes use a fraction of the space and energy of cars, create far less pollution, and do not contribute much to congestion. Features like automatic shifting and smart anti-theft tech are meant to lure drivers out of their cars.
Some key selling points include:
- Speed can compete with urban car traffic, especially in congested cities.
- No emissions at the use phase, and lower energy consumption than even electric cars.
- Reduced parking and congestion issues compared to automobiles.
- Potential to extend city dwellers’ travel range beyond public transit reach without owning a car.
Legal Limits and Urban Mobility Realities
Despite the promise, the VanMoof V quickly hits a regulatory wall. Most cities and countries strictly limit e-bike speeds for safety reasons:
- European Union: E-bikes are limited to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) for pedal-assist before being classified as mopeds or motorcycles—requiring insurance, registration, and often a dedicated license.
- United States: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are capped at 20 mph; Class 3 at 28 mph, and even these have geographic restrictions. Anything above this is often outright banned from bicycle infrastructure or subject to motorcycle rules.
- Other regions mostly follow similar frameworks, prioritizing low-speed e-bikes for shared paths.
The VanMoof V will have software-based speed-limiting based on local laws, but this raises questions about the value of the bike’s core feature—31 mph speed—if it is so often inaccessible.
Performance and Safety: Can a “Hyperbike” Work in City Streets?
What others are reading
Traveling at 31 mph on a bike—electric or not—fundamentally changes the physics and risks of urban riding. Many cycling infrastructure projects are based on bicycle speeds between 12–20 mph. Exceeding that raises several concerns:
- Reaction time: Obstacles, turning vehicles, and unpredictable pedestrians become much harder to cope with.
- Crash energy: At higher speeds, injury risk to the rider and others escalates exponentially.
- Infrastructure mismatch: Bike lanes, crossings, and traffic calming are not designed for vehicle-like speeds.
- Legal gray areas: High-speed e-bikes sometimes tempt riders to unlock illegal speeds or use roads and paths inappropriately.
Advocates for safer streets argue that cities should prioritize making slower streets for all traffic, not simply making faster e-bikes. Meanwhile, riders seeking speed may end up vulnerable if forced onto car-centric roads, while still lacking the protections of automobiles.
Tech Features: What Sets the VanMoof V Apart?
Despite the controversy over speed, the VanMoof V packs some impressive innovations. Its feature set is designed to address both convenience and security—areas where many competitors fall short.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual Hub Motors | Each wheel has its own motor for enhanced traction and dynamic control. |
| 700Wh Battery | Large integrated unit for extended range and fast acceleration. |
| Turbo Boost | Press a button for instant additional power—useful for hills or overtaking. |
| Automatic Gear Shifting | Seamlessly adjusts gears according to speed and terrain. |
| Kick Lock | One-tap (keyless) locking engages the rear wheel—a tough anti-theft measure. |
| GPS Tracking | Constantly tracks the bike’s location, aiding recovery after theft. |
| Front & Rear Suspension | Full suspension smooths out rough city streets and absorbs shocks at higher speeds. |
| Thicker Tires | More stable handling and comfort, especially at top speed. |
The blend of these features moves the VanMoof V into a category well beyond basic urban e-bikes, aiming for seamless transport that is part car, part bike, part smartphone.
Challenges and Criticisms: Should We Build Ultra-Fast E-Bikes?
The arrival of “hyperbikes” like the VanMoof V prompts several debates beyond just technology. Urban planners and sustainable transportation advocates raise the following issues:
- Urban infrastructure is still car-dominated: Without significant protected bike lanes or slower car traffic, ultra-fast e-bikes often share space with vehicles moving at much higher speeds, increasing risk.
- Road safety is a public health concern: Higher bike speeds mean new injury patterns, potentially impacting riders, pedestrians, and liability rules.
- Access and equity: Premium hyperbikes may accelerate the gulf between affluent riders and broader city populations lacking access to safe, affordable transport.
- Policy confusion: As e-bike categories proliferate (Class 1, 2, 3, and “hyperbikes”), enforcement and rules become unclear, frustrating both riders and authorities.
These concerns are not theoretical: Many cities already struggle to enforce speed limits and vehicle eligibility on shared-use paths, and there have been increases in e-bike-related accidents as higher speeds proliferate.
Who Is the VanMoof V For?
VanMoof clearly positions the V for urban “power users”—commuters with longer distances, suburban connectors, or those seeking an alternative to a car but not willing to compromise on speed. However, purchasing a VanMoof V is an investment—it was announced at a price point of around $4,000, which places it firmly in the premium category.
Potential buyers might include:
- Urban professionals commuting 10–20 miles each way who want to entirely replace car trips
- Suburban residents who lack direct transit links to city centers
- Cyclists seeking the latest in bike tech and anti-theft measures
- Enthusiasts of fast, innovative personal transport options
Regulation, Market Rollout, and Future Prospects
When VanMoof unveiled the V, it was clear the brand was taking a risk by challenging legal and functional definitions of what an e-bike should be. The company planned for limited releases in select markets (Netherlands, Germany, UK, US, Japan, France), with assurances that software-based “speed settings” will keep riders within the law. Deliveries were projected for late the following year.
Yet, this bold approach raises open questions:
- Will legislators respond by updating infrastructure and classifications for e-bikes?
- Can buyers take full advantage of the hyperbike’s capabilities without frequent clashes with local road rules?
- Is the future of city mobility going ever faster, or do we need to rethink what speed, safety, and accessibility mean?
Comparing the VanMoof V and Standard E-Bikes
| Feature | Standard E-Bike | VanMoof V Hyperbike |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 15.5–20 mph (EU/US) | 31 mph (50 km/h) |
| Drive System | Single motor (usually rear hub) | Dual motor (front & rear/hub) |
| Suspension | Front suspension only or none | Full front & rear suspension |
| Tech Features | Basic assist, maybe app integration | Turbo Boost, auto-shift, GPS, Kick Lock, advanced theft deterrence |
| Market Price | $1,500–$3,000 | ~$4,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I legally ride the VanMoof V at 31 mph in my city?
A: In most places, no. Legal e-bike speeds are capped at 20–28 mph in the US and 15.5 mph in the EU. The VanMoof V will use speed restricting software to comply locally—its full speed is only permitted where regulations allow.
Q: Why would anyone want an e-bike that goes 31 mph?
A: High-speed e-bikes appeal to commuters replacing car trips, particularly over longer urban and suburban routes. The VanMoof V’s features aim to make these trips safer and more comfortable.
Q: Is the VanMoof V safe to ride at such high speeds?
A: Physically, it has features (dual motors, suspension, thick tires) designed for stability at speed. However, rider skill, traffic, and infrastructure play a major role—urban environments are often not suited to >30 mph travel on bikes.
Q: What makes the VanMoof V different from other e-bikes?
A: Its two-motor system, full suspension, premium build, and high top speed make it a unique hybrid. Its smart locking, GPS anti-theft, and app-driven features bundle cutting-edge tech for both performance and security.
Conclusion: Speed, Safety, and the Limits of Urban Mobility
The VanMoof V stands at the intersection of innovation and controversy. While its technology and performance set new benchmarks for what an e-bike can do, its existence also highlights unresolved questions about speed, infrastructure, and the goals of urban mobility. Ultimately, the VanMoof V is as much a catalyst for debate as it is a mode of transport—pushing us to reconsider not only how fast we can go, but how cities should adapt for everyone’s safety and sustainability.
References
- https://newatlas.com/bicycles/vanmoof-v-ebike/
- https://electrek.co/2021/10/12/vanmoof-unveils-31-mph-vanmoof-v-electric-bicycle-two-motors-full-suspension/
- https://www.blessthisstuff.com/stuff/vehicles/cycles/vanmoof-v-hyperbike/
- https://www.vanmoof.com/blog/en/the-vanmoof-v
- https://www.vanmoof.com/blog/en/vanmoof-5-series
- https://versus.com/en/vanmoof-v
- https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/vanmoof-electric-bike-06-04-2022/
- https://www.vanmoof.com/our-rides/s5
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
