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Impossible: A tiny folding electric bike (pictures)

Your urban-commuting prayers may soon be answered if the Impossible folding electric bike delivers on its substantial Kickstarter promises.

Amanda Kooser
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
Amanda Kooser
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Impossible all folded up

The Impossible electric folding bike on Kickstarter promises to deliver an unusual two-wheeled vehicle that can fit into a backpack. The creative circular design lets it fold up into a package that is just 17 inches tall and weighs a mere 11 pounds. It could become an intriguing option for urban commutes.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Impossible bike's batteries

Even though it's powered by batteries, the Impossible bike still manages to keep its weight down to just 11 pounds. This battery pack is capable of propelling the bike for over 15 miles of range on a charge. The top speed is 12.4 mph.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Unfolding Impossible: Step One

The Impossible folding electric bicycle's creative design allows commuters to unfold it in a very quick fashion. First, the two sides open up to reveal the main part of the frame. The parts that look like the ear pieces from a pair of glasses will become the seat and handlebars.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Unfolding Impossible: Step Two

The next step for unfolding the Impossible electric bicycle involves moving the pieces that make up the handlebars and seat into place. The Kickstarter project is aiming to deliver an extremely lightweight and compact electric cycle.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Unfolding Impossible: Step Three

The Impossible electric bike has seat and handlebar pieces that telescope upwards during the unfolding process. The whole kit collapses down into a size that can fit into a backpack. The bike has already topped its funding goal on Kickstarter.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Unfolding Impossible: Step Four

The Impossible electric bike is ready to roll when its wheels have been folded outward and set into place. A cover designed to go over the folded bike is repurposed as a seat. The seat and handlebars are at the same height in order to spread the rider's weigh evenly out across the frame.

Related article: Impossible electric bike folds up to fit in a backpack

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Sold-out bike pledge level

This all-white Impossible electric bike proved to be a popular choice for Kickstarter backers, with all 50 pledge slots of about $379 selling out within the first few days of the project. Impossible has already surpassed its roughly $48,500 funding goal, despite some lingering questions about brakes, weight limits and handling.

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All-black Kickstarter exclusive bike

This all-black, carbon-fiber version of the Impossible electric bike is a Kickstarter exclusive, going for a pledge price of approximately $467 (about £297, AU$535). Impossible Technology, the bike's creator, expects to ship the lightweight folding vehicle in August 2015 after finalizing development on a proprietary electric motor.

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