Ikea to sell electric bicycle called 'Folkvanlig' (poll)

By Joseph Rose, Oregon Live

Is there any activity that helps people of all languages discover new curse words more than assembling Ikea furniture?

Well, put on your bike helmet and get out the swear jar: The Swedish-based home furnishings company is getting into the bicycle business.

Meet the Folkvänlig, an $1,000 electric bicycle that it hopes will get more commuters out of their cars in cities worldwide. The product's name is derived from the Swedish words for people and friendly.

Here are the details (or "detaljernas"):

• The frame, which holds the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, is aluminum; the front fork is steel.

• The electronic "pedal assist," which gives riders a boost when they start to run out of gas, er, steam, is powered by a 250-watt motor with a range of 37 to 45 miles. (Not bad at all.)

• A Shimano transmission provides six different "driving" modes.

• It's 60 pounds, which is typical for e-assist bikes.

• All of the bike's parts (including the mysterious extra piece that will inevitably be left over after you've assembled it) come with a two-year warranty.

• There are models for men and women.

• Ikea Family members get a $150 discount.