Panasonic bikes for aging adults

Posted on February 4, 2011 by .
Pin It submit to reddit

Panasonic announced a new, ultra low step through ebike with 20″ wheels targeted for Japan’s elderly population.

With the exception of their Panaracer bicycle tires,Panasonic pulled out of the American bike market over 20 years ago. Panasonic remains strong in Japan, however, selling Chinese-manufactured city bikes, folders, bikes for commercial use, and even a line of high end titanium road, track, CX, touring mountain and minivelo bikes that they call (amusingly enough) POS.

Panasonic Lithium ViVi 20" bicycle

Panasonic is the market leader in Japan for electric bicycles, and their latest ebike, dubbed “Lithium ViVi (リチウムビビ) SS20,” features an ultra low step through frame so stiff-jointed elderly adults can continue biking to the market. The electric assist motor and lithium battery have a range of up to 13 km (about 8 miles), which is plenty for a typical compact Japanese city. The frame geometry also allows for a flat footed stance while stopped. The Lithium ViVi SS20 will retail for 89,800円 (about US$1100).

Fenders, rear rack (25 kg capacity), headlight, taillight, chainguard and bell are all standard.

Via Akihabara News.



See also:

  1. Ultra Motor / A2B bankruptcy
  2. Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle
  3. "Ladies" bikes?
  4. Sanyo Eneloop Bicycle Review


  • http://topsy.com/www.cyclelicio.us/2011/panasonic-electric-bicycle/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention Panasonic bikes for aging adults » Cyclelicious — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by wegcr, Bradley North. Bradley North said: RT @cyclelicious Panasonic bikes for aging adults: Panasonic announced a new, ultra low step thr… http://bit.ly/i4VniH #cycling #bikes [...]

  • Anonymous

    At some risk, what age do they consider “elderly?”

  • http://www.cyclelicio.us/ Cyclelicious

    Well, my Japanese grandmother finally retired after she hit 80 or so.

    Sent from my Googaw

  • Anonymous

    I wonder if they will offer a bike rack which can hold my cane, or walker for when I arrive at my destination.

  • Anonymous

    You, sir, are VERY kind!

  • Adrienne

    This would be perfect from my mother, who is only 63, but has bad hips and lives in the desert where heavy exertion is impossible past 9:30 AM.

  • http://www.cyclelicio.us/ Cyclelicious

    Ade, Sun has an ultra low step thru frame bike for the American market.
    Not electric, though.

    Sent from my Googaw

  • Siouxgeonz

    You say elderly like it’s a bad thing? :)

  • Siouxgeonz

    You say elderly like it’s a bad thing? :)

  • Anonymous

    No, but I’d like to take a while to get there. ;-)