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JackRabbit 2.0 Is the Electric Scooter You Could Easily Mistake for an e-Bike

Two-wheelers are so popular right now that, even though not yet tempted to ditch the old car for good, you would still have a hard time choosing one for fun. With this one, you don’t have to, because it takes everything that’s good about e-bikes, e-scooters and other mobility solutions and packs it into a very fun, quirky… thing.
JackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more fun 7 photos
Photo: JackRabbit
JackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more funJackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more funJackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more funJackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more funJackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more funJackRabbit 2.0 is the mini-e-bike that promises to make your city adventures more fun
JackRabbit was first introduced to the market a couple of years ago and, even then, it defied easy classification. The first version looked like a misshapen bike with a smaller front wheel but acted very much like a scooter. Version 2.0, now crowdfunding on KickStarter, is even more similar to an e-bike and comes with several upgrades that will blur the lines between one and an e-scooter altogether.

JackRabbit 2.0 looks like an e-bike from afar, and resembles a toy of some sort from up close. If there’s a kid or a smaller adult on it, you could probably still mistake it for a bicycle when you see on in person. Technically speaking, it’s neither e-bike nor e-scooter, but both. 

JackRabbit 2\.0 is the mini\-e\-bike that promises to make your city adventures more fun
Photo: JackRabbit
Designed by former UC San Diego triathlon coach Tom Piszkin, JackRabbit takes the best from e-bikes, e-scooters and other available first- and last-mile solutions and delivers a new product. It’s an electric scooter with a 6061 aluminum monocoque frame similar to that on an e-bike and 20-inch (50.8-cm), fat tire wheels, but it doesn’t have pedals – just footrests.

“The JackRabbit takes the best attributes from the world of bicycles and the best aspirations from electric scooters,” the makers say. “The result is a new way to get around faster and easier than walking but with all the safety, simplicity, and convenience of walking.”

Basically, if you know how to ride a bicycle and are able to coast on one, you’d have no trouble with this quirky little thing. The biggest upside is that, unlike e-bikes, the JackRabbit is incredibly light – so light that even a child can lift it off the ground. It’s 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and weighs a mere 23 pounds (10.4 kg), battery included.

JackRabbit 2\.0 is the mini\-e\-bike that promises to make your city adventures more fun
Photo: JackRabbit
Adding to maneuverability is the fact that you can actually fold the pedals, so that it fits anywhere. JackRabbit can even fit in the backseat of your car, and can easily be carried up the steps to your apartment, into the store or you can even ride it indoors, where it’s allowed. At least, that’s what the makers are saying. To that end, it’s able to do 180-degree turns in narrow hallways.

Power comes from a 336-watt rear hub motor (nominally 300 watts continuous), which is linked to a Tesla / Panasonic 4.4-Ah battery in the top tube. The battery is swappable and delivers an average range of 12 miles (19 km) at full speed on a single, 2.5-hour charge. The thumb-activated throttle allows riders to select two speeds of traveling, with the fastest one being of 20 mph (32 kph).

JackRabbit 2.0 comes with an adjustable seat post with gel saddle, and a single rear mechanical disc brake. The makers plan to deliver a bunch of accessories as well to first pledgers, including a rear rack that can hold an extra 22 pounds (10 kg) of weight, a shoulder carry strap and a travel bag.

JackRabbit 2\.0 is the mini\-e\-bike that promises to make your city adventures more fun
Photo: JackRabbit
Though seemingly tiny, the makers promise that the frame accommodates riders between 4'10" and 6'3" in height (147 and 191 cm), and up to 240 pounds (109 kg) in weight. They also say that JackRabit’s motor is powerful enough to take you up hills with a 12 percent incline – or perhaps even more, depending on terrain and total payload.

In short, this sounds like the dream – and definitely the most fun – last- or first-mile solution. “Developed by a drove of gear heads and tech nerds, JackRabbit is lighter, more agile and safer than any other mobile option out there,” the makers say. “It’s as easy as a hop and a skip. Join the movement and jump on a JackRabbit.” Well, call us intrigued!

The plan is to give the 2.0 version to pledgers for as little as $500, with the retail version estimated at $999. Deliveries should take place before this year’s December holidays to customers in the continental U.S., so bummer for everyone else who was maybe giving it a thought or two. Fingers crossed it’ll go international after that date.

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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