Yakkay have come up with some great new styles - Paris in Red, Tokyo in Leaves and Beige plus a whole new peaked style called Cambridge, in natty stripes and crisp white.

All available to order online now

New 50cycles Newsletter - Demonstrator Scheme Launched, Zero Motorcycles test rides and new Casco Eyewear

Kalkhoff Demonstrator Scheme Launched There are now Kalkhoff electric bikes available for demonstration in around 50 locations across the UK. All models are represented and you can find the nearest bike to you using our clever search facility. If you'd like to find out where you can go for a test ride in your area, all we need is a postcode and we'll present a list of the nearest demonstrators. And if you decide to order, your demonstrator will give you a code that saves £5 when you order your bike. Find your nearest demonstrator now Already own a Kalkhoff? Then join the Demonstrator Club If you're already a Kalkhoff electric bike owner, we'd be honoured if you decided to register as a demonstrator. Every sale made as a result of your demonstration is added to your total (we track this through you unique demonstrator code, which saves the customer £5 when they order) and the higher the total, the bigger the reward you can claim. The picture shows some of the items on offer. Interested? Intrigued? Read more at 50cycles Kalkhoff Availability Thanks to a recent arrival from Germany, we now have the following models available for immediate delivery: Pro Connect with crossbar in Small 49cm, Medium 53cm and Large 57cm frame sizes. This is the latest model with 8-speed Alfine gears, B&M LED lights. Price held at £1795. Tasman with Crossbar 49cm, 53cm and 57cm frame sizes The new 2009 model Tasman is available with a crossbar for the first time. Hydraulic brakes, upgraded wheel locking system, suspension and a stylish finish. £1795 These are our among our most popular models and sizes and will fly out of the door in the coming weeks - as a subscriber you're the first to hear about this delivery. Zero Motorcycle Test Rides We now have a Zero X electric motorcycle available for test rides here in the UK. It's an amazing machine, as those who witnessed it take to the race track and demonstration area at Presteigne would agree. Maybe it's our superior British electricity, but the Zero X seems faster and more thrilling now than when we first raced it over in San Jose. Going from 0 to 60mph in less than 2 seconds, it runs off the most energy-dense Lithium power pack in the world and is built around an incredibly light aviation-grade alloy frame. It's a world class machine that you can test ride and order through 50cycles now. The Zero X will soon be joined in our showroom by the road-legal Zero S Supermoto bike (pictured left), which debuted for the media in London last week. You can book a test ride for either machine on our website or by calling 0844 800 5979. Casco Eyewear & Helmets E.motion Black & Gold Casco's E.motion helmets are brilliant and sales have been brisk. Specially-designed for Electric Bike riders, they've also proved popular with regular cyclists, including the Lee Peyton and Garry McKay who are just about to complete their 15 isle, 300 mile charity challenge Casco also offer a range of eyewear for cyclists. As someone who's had a bumblebee bounce off my eyeball while tearing along on an electric bike, I know how important it is to keep my precious peepers protected against airborne debris. We'll be posting more details soon, but here's a sneak preview of some of the styles we'll be offering. Prices range from £49.99 to £59.99, including UK delivery of course. If you'd like to hear when these are available to order online, please send an email and we will notify you the moment they appear. You can now follow events at 50cycles on Twitter That's it for now - thank you for reading... The 50cycles Team

Zero S electric motorcycle debuts in London

We went into London yesterday to take a first look at the new Zero S street-legal electric motorcycle from Zero Motorcycles. Founder Neal Saiki was on hand to introduce the new bike to the BBC, Financial Times and other media representatives.

We also had an opportunity to take a close look and try the Zero S for size ourselves. Great to get our hands on one. We'll have one available for test rides soon, to go with the Zero X that arrived recently.

It's a beautiful machine - futuristic, fast, efficient and unique. Watch this space for more information on test rides and availability.

Casco E.motion cycle helmets for pedelec electric bike riders launched at 50cycles

New for the 2009 Season: Casco E.motion pedelec helmets
These are gorgeous, definitely the best-looking and best-designed cycle helmets we've seen since the Yakkays arrived last year. Casco have designed the E.motion helmets specifically for electric bicycle riders. The result is a futuristic look, great ventilation, easy fitting and superb safety.

They're available in three styles and two sizes. Go to our Casco gallery to see larger pictures of each style, plus all-round views and what's on the inside, where your head will be. Limited stock for now, so first come first served. They're £120 each including UK delivery.

50cycles survive Zero Motorcycles 24-hour electricross

14th April 2009 We survived the Zero Motorcycles 24 hour Electricross challenge 50cycles made a flying visit to California last week to take part in the world's first all-electric 24-hour motorcycle race in the sunbaked heart of Silicon Valley. Our bike lasted the distance, completing 879 laps or about 450 miles in the 24 hours, up to a mile of which was off the ground (yes, these bikes can jump!). The Zero X turned out to be an incredible machine, all we hoped for and more - a satisfyingly chunky 3kW battery pack, a motor that can be cooled by pouring water into it, a stupendous turn of speed and a lightweight, futurisitic design. Our riders loved it (that's Lloyd, pictured left, taking to the air on one of the final laps) and no doubt you will too when you come and try out our demo motorbike. We'll publish a full account of our trip soon - our initial reports and videos are already online on the 50cycles electric motorbikes website. New motorbikes around the corner The Zero X is only the first machine out of the Zero Motorcycles stable. Next up is the road legal Zero S offering the same instant torque and acceleration from a standstill, with a top speed of 60mph, a range of up to 60 miles and a total weight a touch over 100kg including onboard charger, it's a uniquely powerful all-electric Supermoto machine. We'll have both models available to see and test-ride soon. Read more on our website or get in contact with our Zero team. A $1,000 deposit reserves your bike and you can claim $50 off using promotional code MSR-UK-0101. Things can only get Twitter II If you visit our 24-hour race page, you'll notice that there is a twitter feed below the text and video. We update this several times a day. The moment something interesting or important happens at 50cycles, in the field of electric vehicles, or in the world in general, we will post it here first. All you need do is sign up to Twitter with your email, then find us at http://twitter.com/50cycles and click to say you want to follow us. We were all sceptical at first, but it's turned out to be worthwhile and fun to use, especially with something like Tweetdeck running. Actually, you don't even need to sign up oe login to see the news from 50cycles, take a look. Agattu F promotion continues Kalkhoff's Agattu F is the first electric bike in the world to feature Panasonic's new hub motor system. The Agattu F looks like an Agattu pedelec, rides like an Agattu pedelec and comes with everything you get - lights, mudguards, rack, suspension, built-in lock - you get with an Agattu pedelec. And it also comes with a European-style coaster brake as well as the usual excellent V-brakes. We have a small number of these bikes earmarked for UK customers left at the introductory price of £1395 - that's £100 off the current web price and £500 off the manufacturer's recommended price! Use promotion code agattuf100 when calling 0844 800 5979 or when checking out online. This offer is valid until midnight on 30 April 2009, or until we sell out of them! Specialist electric bike helmets from Casco We've had our eye on these new helmets - designed for electric bike riders and only electric bike riders - for some time. The Casco E.Motion helmets benefit from a unique sandwich structure (yum) making them extremely lightweight and comfortable, even in warm weather. Like our famous Yakkay helmets, they can be fitted with optional ear covers and come in two sizes: Small / Medium = 52 - 57 cm (20½ - 22½ inches) - head circumference Large / X-Large = 58 - 62 cm (22½ - 24½ inches) head circumference As Casco put it "Pedelec - the new lifestyle of cycling - fast, comfortably and sweat free from A to B" • New shape & function especially designed for the needs of pedelec cyclists • Extremely compact and attractive design by Casco with patent pending helmet technology • Ideal climate regulation all year-round (minimized risk of colds in winter and increased UV-protection during summer) • Optional earpads for cold season’s use • Comfortable high-quality interior • Easy fitting with ergonomic disc control • Features anti-theft ring for attaching to a lock. Available in three colour combinations, we're selling them at the recommended price of £119.99 including UK postage and packing. If you'd like to order or learn more, just send us an email (no need for a message, a blank email will do) and we'll notify you the moment we publish the details on our website. Kalkhoff Panasonic batteries perform very well in long-term battery test Finally, some great news from A to B magazine's rigorous battery testers in the current issue: "After six months of fairly intensive all-weather use, our Kalkhoff Agattu battery hasn't deteriorated at all. We estimate the capacity to be 272Wh today, which is slightly ahead of Panasonic's claimed capacity [260Wh] and exactly the same as when we tested it last October" This is excellent news for Kalkhoff pedelec owners - your batteries are all that we and Panasonic claim them to be and more. That's it for now - further news about the Zero motorcycles event and much more to come... The 50cycles Team

Zero Motorcycles Sets World Record This Weekend at 24 Hours of Electricross

Santa Cruz Company Makes History With All-Electric Vehicle Endurance Race

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles made history today, after hosting their 24 Hours of Electricross this past weekend. The event was the first international endurance competition for off-road all-electric vehicles and included teams from around the world. Setting several world records including a Guinness World Record, over 50 competitors raced for 24 hours straight, only stopping to change out batteries and riders. In total, more than 4000 miles were completed by the field of 10 teams. The winning team was HotChalks MDV and completed more than a 1000 laps and 500 miles.

"This event proved that electric technology can endure the same level of competition as their gas-powered counterparts, however, the power resources to compete are drastically different. The total cost to power all 10 motorcycles for 24 hours was approximately $100," said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder, Zero Motorcycles. "From New Mexico to Canada to the UK, teams traveled from across the globe to participate in this record-setting race and to be a part of history."

"The 24 Hours of Electricross, hosted by Zero Motorcycles, was the perfect event to showcase what electric motorcycle technology can accomplish. Our team worked very hard to win this race and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome," said Edward Fields and Bryan Stolle, co-captains, Team HotChalks MDV.

Created by company founder, entrepreneur and former NASA engineer Neal Saiki, the 24 Hours of Electricross took place in the heart of the Silicon Valley at the 408MX Motocross Track in San Jose, California. This grueling 24-hour endurance race tested the limits of both the competitor's skills and their electric vehicles as they battled it out to set a Guinness World Record.

Collaborative efforts between Zero Motorcycles, Blue Ribbon Coalition, California State and Private Parks and numerous industry sponsors have made this seminal event possible.

Event Sponsors: Hi-Ball Energy Drink, Fox Racing Shox, Alpinestars, We All Ride Motorcycle Shop, Scotts Valley RV, Custom Culinary Concepts, Watchwear.com, Acerbis, Bell Helmets, Tiger Balm, Akeena Solar

For post event coverage, please visit http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/electricross/.

We're also covering on our own site at http://www.50cycles.com/zero

Zero Motorcycles 24hr Electricross endurance race starts in San Jose

The 50cycles team is out on the track in the bright sunshine and dust of San Jose's 408mx motocross track. Ten teams are competing right now for the bragging rights of winning the world's first all-electric 24-hour endurance race. Pictured are Lloyd and Dan from 50cycles, the only team to join the event from outside North America.

We're posting regular updates from the race at

And here's the view from the 50cycles.com team's Zero X as 2009 Zero Motorcycles 24-hour Electricross Endurance Race starts in San Jose, California 4th April 2009. Watch the initial hair-raising laps of the first race of its type in the world. Hear that? No motor noise at all - that's just the wind and the sound of the chain.