Latest news with #electricunicycle
CNET
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
I Tested the Inmotion V9 EUC, and It's Easily One of the Best Choices for Beginners
Table of Contents I Tested the Inmotion V9 EUC, and It's Easily One of the Best Choices for Beginners The Inmotion V9 is among the best grab-and-go electric unicycles (EUCs) available that I've tested. I say that as someone who's been riding wheels for years now and prefers them to e-bikes. They're not for everyone, but thanks to the V9's size, security features, focus on rider safety and reliable battery risk reduction, it's a fantastic option if you're ready to leave handlebars behind. Plus, at $1,299, or $1,099 when it goes on sale, it's a more affordable choice. Since I've been using EUCs for a while, I prefer larger models like the Inmotion V13, but they're not always practical for short runs and are not fun to carry, weighing more than 100 pounds. This is where the Inmotion V9 shines. Weighing just over 50 pounds, the V9 is not just on the lighter side overall, but impressively light for a model with a suspension system. The V9 has a 16x3-inch tubeless tire with a 60-millimeter (2.4-inch) travel air suspension. The main drawback is that the suspension needs to be pumped up to reach your preferred comfort and support level, and may lose pressure over time. Fortunately, the V9 includes a quality air pump with a built-in pressure gauge for accuracy. Riders must add air to both the suspension system's top and bottom, which can be inconvenient. Rear shot of the V9 Joseph Kaminski The V9 is an excellent wheel for beginners, with just enough kick to keep owners from getting buyer's remorse once they get the hang of it. The wheel can be powered on while tilted for rider protection and will autobalance once upright. It also stops spinning automatically if tipped over. A kill switch beneath the handle lets you lift the wheel while still powered on. Driving the V9 is a 1,000-watt motor powered by a 750-watt-hour battery. The estimated range is up to 37 miles, which will vary based on rider weight, speed and terrain. It supports riders up to 265 pounds. The wheel isn't loud but emits a gentle purr while riding. Charging with the included 2-amp charger takes around 5 hours, but Inmotion also offers a 10-amp fast charger that can get you back on the road in about an hour. Additionally, the V9 features both Type-A and Type-C ports at the rear for charging mobile devices. Joseph Kaminski By the way, the wheel comes fully assembled, right out of the box. Just top off the battery, and you're ready to roll. The V9 is also the first wheel from Inmotion to ship with a UL Certification. (UL Battery Certification is a safety standard confirming a battery has undergone a safety evaluation to prevent fire, explosion, overcharging and electric shock.) The V9 ride is nimble, smooth, has decent acceleration and is responsive. The tire is large enough for going down bumpy New York City streets, and the metal footpads are big enough for size 12 sneakers. The design has a solid and no-nonsense build quality, featuring rigid plastic panels over a metal frame. The wheel width between my legs felt just right for a comfortable ride -- not too wide, not too narrow. Joseph Kaminski The wheel gently tilts back to signal that you're nearing its top speed; it maxes out at 28 mph but can be set to a lower top speed if you want to keep it from going too fast for you. The wheel's display is simple and easy to read. The display shows your current speed in large numerals and the battery level, both as bars and as a percentage. While it's not a touchscreen like other Inmotion models, settings can be adjusted through the Inmotion app, which is also where you can track and lock the wheel. Regarding security, the wheel includes an eSIM with LTE support, enabling riders to track its location and remotely lock and unlock the wheel. This feature is free for the first year, with a subscription required afterward. Inmotion hasn't said what the subscription price will be. Joseph Kaminski For visibility, the V9 features a tiltable front headlight, customizable side lighting that can pulse or sync to music playing through its built-in Bluetooth speaker, triangular-shaped turn signals that automatically flash in the direction the wheel is tilted, and a rear brake light. For walking, the V9 has a sturdy trolley handle which may feel a little short to taller riders. All in all, the Inmotion V9 is an excellent choice for commuting, perfect for short trips, easy to store and offers a solid top speed for city riding. It fits comfortably between your legs on a bus and can be tucked into a car trunk for road trips. I love how these wheels are advancing while hitting a more affordable price.
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Horrendous moment 'deplorable' electric unicycle rider leaves girl, two, with fractured skull after being caught on CCTV weaving in and out of pedestrians
This is the shocking moment a careless electric unicycle rider left a two-year-old girl with a fractured skull and a serious brain injury after colliding with her on Felixstowe Promenade in Suffolk. CCTV footage shows Andrew Wickenden, 50, from Ipswich, riding on a single-wheeled electric scooter on Sunday, November 3, as he weaves in and out of pedestrians. The video then shows him zooming down the promenade as he nears a group of people walking in the opposite direction as him. The clip cuts out momentarily, which was when he collided with the toddler. The video then shows the vehicle strewn across the floor, while a man is seen confronting Mr Wickenden. The two-year-old is shown being held in her mother's arms. She sustained a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain and had to be rushed to hospital by ambulance. The man was given a suspended sentence and a driving ban after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Friday. But in a statement, the defendant said he was travelling at a speed 'less than cyclists' and close to a wall to 'minimise potential contact with others'. 'I am devastated and I've had sleepless nights' Mr Wickenden added in his statement. The court heard how Mr Wickenden had been riding a Bedgoden unicycle, which can only be used on private land. The victim's mother told the court that the incident left her daughter 'covered in her own sick' and 'head to toe in bruises and scrapes.' 'Seeing my daughter in a situation that I couldn't prevent was heartbreaking. Hearing the diagnosis of a fractured skull and brain bleed and knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do to repair', she added. The court heard the toddler recovered from her injuries, but her mother, who has not been named to protect the young girl's identity, told the court of the anxiety and distress she was left with after the incident. 'I couldn't sleep without her being close to me, I endured nightmares.' 'As a parent the last thing you ever want is to hear your child is in pain and suffering, especially from something so careless and preventable'. 'The emotional distress we have gone through as a family in such a small amount of time is awful. A feeling me, and my children, will never forget.' The court also heard that the child recovered from her injuries, but there were concerns about her long-term development. 'She is currently still undergoing a range of tests such as eye and hearing tests to ensure nothing has been damaged. The daily worry of what could happen as she grows is frightening, the unknown of how much this has truly affected her', her mother told the court. Mr Wickenden will spend 14 weeks behind bars and was also disqualified from driving for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. Acting Inspector Matt Dale, the senior investigating officer for the incident, said in a statement: 'This was an unusual incident where a child had suffered serious injuries as a result of a lack of due care from the defendant, riding a vehicle that is not legal on our roads or public spaces. 'This matter was easily preventable and could have had resulted in a fatal outcome. This should be a lesson to any person who possesses an e-scooter, electric unicycle or similar vehicle to ensure they know the law in relation to their use and to ride them legally in suitable private spaces with due care.'
BBC News
27-06-2025
- BBC News
Felixstowe unicycle crash left toddler with fractured skull
A mum said she feared her daughter had died after suffering a fractured skull when she was struck by a man riding an electric two-year-old toddler sustained the serious injuries after being hit on Felixstowe Promenade in Wickenden, 50, of Old Norwich Road in Ipswich, was given a 14-week custodial sentence, suspended for one year, at Ipswich Magistrates' to the BBC outside court, her mum said: "No sentence is ever going to be enough for what he has caused my daughter at such a young age." Wickenden was riding a Bedgode unicycle, which can only legally be used on private land. He had admitted causing serious injury by careless driving, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a court heard how boat builder Wickenden hit the toddler on 3 November 2024 while weaving in and out of pedestrians on the busy in a statement, the defendant said he was travelling at a speed "less than cyclists" and close to the wall to "minimise potential contact with others".He said he collided with the girl after she started running towards him, explaining he slowed down before "accelerating slightly to get out of her way"."I am devastated and I've had sleepless nights," his statement defence lawyer told the court "to say this is a terrible accident is an understatement" but Wickenden had shown "genuine sympathy and demonstrable remorse". The toddler was discharged from hospital after four hours but later "woke up screaming in agony" and started being "constantly sick", the court tests revealed she had suffered "substantial injuries", including a bleed on the brain."It's the last thing you ever want to hear, that your child is in pain or suffering," her mum said in a statement."Seeing my daughter in a situation I couldn't prevent was heart-breaking." The court heard the toddler recovered from her injuries but there were significant concerns about her long-term development as a result."I felt I was a failure as a mother due to not being able to protect my children," she mother said her daughter's five-year-old brother had woken up with nightmares due to the incident. Speaking to the BBC, the mother said she was in Aldi supermarket when she was told about the extent of her daughter's injuries."While I am not a very emotional person, when I got the call I broke down," she said."I had what I would describe as my first panic attack and I was sobbing. "I essentially thought she was dead."Wickenden's was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
