Panasonic Corp. has developed a new electric-assist bicycle modeled on the motorized bikes used to set the pace at Keirin cycling events in the Tokyo Games, the company announced Friday.
The new bike, dubbed the XU1, has been designed with a lower center of gravity than conventional sports bikes, making it easier for beginners to ride.
While an Olympic pacer bike reaches speeds of up to 50 kph, the XU1's electric-assist cruises at a more manageable 24 kph.
The company plans to roll the XU1 out on Aug. 5, with a suggested retail price of 251,000 yen.
At the Olympic Keirin heats starting on Wednesday, seven cyclists will race to complete six laps around a banked track. In the first three laps, cyclists must draft behind the pacer, before gradually increasing their speed in the second half of the race and sprinting to the finish line.
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