The URB-E scoots on campus

A student’s purchase of the new vehicle generated interesting reactions and a dive into the Risk Management rulebook.

Micah Kim, Managing Editor • January 22, 2019

Photo by Thecla Li/ THE CHIMES

With limited approved options for transportation on Biola’s campus, the URB-E has caught some attention for its unique hybrid of scooter and bike powered by an electric battery.

THE URB-E TREND

Senior philosophy major Melissa Sugeng brought the URB-E to campus in May of 2017, sharing in a trend that has carried over from the University of Southern California campus, near the company’s headquarters in Pasadena. Sugeng first received the URB-E when the price stood at $899. The price now stands at $1,099.

Sugeng first became aware of the invention through her friend.

“A friend of mine goes to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and her product design professor invented a foldable electric scooter / bike called the URB-E a few years ago,” Sugeng said in an email. “They have a partnership with USC and I see a lot of them on their campus. I also see a lot of them in Old Town Pasadena, where the store is.”

URB-E RULES

As the URB-E is a recent invention, the Office of Risk Management had to help determine its designation under vehicle regulations. Risk and Insurance Administrator James Yoon of Risk Management said the vehicle is considered a motorized bike. According to Sugeng, her URB-E was given a bike permit, so she can park it on the bike racks on campus. However, she added that Campus Safety only allowed her to ride on roads for automobiles. According to Campus Safety rules, “‘Electric assisted bicycles,’ which are considered bicycles, may park in bicycle racks.”

“I guess it would be more convenient for me to be able to ride the URB-E around Chase Gymnasium and bike trails,” Sugeng said. “It has a bike permit, but I can’t ride it on bike trails. It’s like a platypus.”

URB-E FEATURES

According to the website, the name URB-E comes from the phrase “Urban Electric,” because the device aims for a convenient transportation method in urban communities. URB-E is foldable, allowing it to be carried easily. The battery of the vehicle, called “Eddy”, is also able to be removed from the scooter and can charge mobile devices.

The odd-looking vehicle is a mix of the features of both bicycle and scooter, having a small seat but no pedals. Because of these complex features, Sugeng received interesting reactions on campus.

“A faculty or a staff… he walks up to me and says, ‘That’s an interesting scooter,’” Sugeng said. “Or a student would yell, ‘Nice ride!’ or some people would just stop and stare.”

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About the Contributor

Micah Kim, Managing Editor

Micah Kim is a senior journalism major who loves Radiohead, produces music, and admires people that can do a perfect backflip. Born in Pennsylvania, having South Korean blood in my pulsing veins and hacking my way through family missions in China, life had been full of complex colors that I could not name. Finding ways to express my way out of the constant stress I was in was always full of music until I found writing as my new set of crayons. Fortunately, I had one of the most amazing opportunities to explore my writing at The Chimes for about two years going from News Staff Writer to News Editor. Now as Managing Editor, I get to be involved with a more wide variety of journalistic skill sets like photography and design. I hope as an international multimedia journalist, I’ll be able to lead and guide our newspaper to become more diversely cultured and opinionated. Other than writing, I constantly put effort into tasting distinct music. Yet, my all time favorite band is and will be Radiohead. If you guys don’t enjoy Radiohead, too bad. You’re missing out.