ICON E-Flyer: A Fusion of Vintage Design and Modern Technology

Reviving Classic Transportation with Innovative Solutions

With a deep appreciation for vintage design details, Ward and Davidge have always been inspired by the dawn of the motorcycle era. Their goal with the ICON E-Flyer was to revisit classic transportation design in a modern context. The result is a unique electric bicycle equipped with an EV system that offers up to 35 miles of sustained propulsion on a single charge. It also features regenerative braking, range LED, LED headlamp, and rapid charging.

The designers met at an event during the Pebble Beach car week, where Davidge was showcasing his first prototype electric bike. A mutual admiration for each other's work led to a collaboration and the development of the ICON E-Flyer. The bike is built with a hydroformed aluminum frame, billet aluminum and steel forks, and features Brooks England LTD leatherwork. It can reach speeds of up to 20mph in street legal mode or 36mph in race mode.

Ward and Davidge studied early motorcycle designs from the 1890-1920 decades and current offerings in the electric bicycle market. They identified two opportunities: the packaging of the EV elements looked like a science class project, and the price point was high. They decided to fit their bike with quality EV systems and achieved a more interesting and fluid integration of the technology. The cast aluminum center housing hides the battery and controller, with an external USB input for programming and charging.

The ICON E-Flyer was developed and created over a six-month period in California, with an additional year of research and pondering options. The project goal was to manufacture an electric cycle embodying the essence of American ingenuity and design, all strengthened by the best of today’s technology. The most challenging part of the process was packaging. The designers wanted to keep the classic aesthetic while integrating the best EV content and features.

This timeless electric bicycle, designed and built in California in low volume, marries vintage design with modern functionality. The ICON E-Flyer was awarded the Golden A' Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award in 2014, a testament to its outstanding design and innovative features.