This Ultralight E

Riding a bike is great exercise, but whether you're commuting to work or just peddling to the bar, weather, hills and general exertion might conspire to make you an unpresentable mess.

That's where the e-bike comes in. The peddle-assist function does most of the work for you, so you can just sit and enjoy the breeze.

That's all well and good, but it's not a new concept. This, however, is.

The Hummingbird Folding Electric Flax Bike is the world's first folding bike frame made entirely of flax plant fibers.

Hummingbird has a thing for lightweight bikes. Its carbon frame single-speed bikes weigh only 15 pounds, making Hummingbird the lightest carbon folding bike on the market. The UK-based company's Flax model is only 22 pounds, which is still a major departure from most e-bikes, which often tip the scales at 40 pounds or more.

The bike is powered by a 250-watt motor and a built-in battery, with customizable assist settings, so you can dial the help up or down. There is also a remote control to change settings on the fly, and you can engage the "boost" for a burst of speed before going up a steep hill.

When the motor's engaged, you can hit a top speed of 15.5 miles per hour and ride for 31 miles on a single charge. Yeah, you won't win many races at that speed, but you will get where you're going at a comfortable rate and won't be out of breath when you arrive. And if you need to maximize space, the bike can be folded and unfolded in just five seconds.

Because the Hummingbird Flax is made from plants, waste generated during the production stage is biodegradable. And when the bike reaches the end of its life cycle, it's less harmful to dispose of, since it will eventually break down and rejoin the earth.

Also, it's vegan. But we don't suggest seeing how it tastes.