Pushing the limits: Infinite Machine's Olto is barely a bicycle

So the Olto has pedals. And you can hypothetically pedal it, though I couldn’t find a way to do so without the electric assist. Using the phone app, you can switch between Class 2 (assist or throttle up to 20 mph/32kmph) or Class 3 (no throttle, assist up to 28 mph/45 kmph). But the seat is low relative to the pedals, and it’s so wide that there’s no way to rotate your legs without your thighs slamming into it. Instead, it’s meant to be kept in Class 2 mode and operated with a twist throttle. In this mode, you might as well stow the pedals. That involves reaching under the cranks to click a switch that disconnects the cranks from the drive system and then pulling the right crank away from the machine, at which point it will rotate freely. Two pegs can be extended from the Olto’s body to hold the pedals in their furthest forward position, where they serve as footrests. The maneuver is somewhat fiddly, but it can be done in less than a minute once you’re used to the process. As mentioned above, in scooter mode, the pedals rest on a small bit of metal that can extend from the frame or be clicked into the scooter’s body and held out of the way. Similar devices can extend out to serve as footrests for passengers, and there are handles under the rear of the seat for them to hold on to. I’m a bit over 6 feet tall (185 cm), and I found myself sitting far enough back that rear passengers weren’t an option. If you’re planning on carrying another person, this may be a concern. A plastic-walled well in between the cranks serves as the primary storage if you’re using the Olto for some quick grocery shopping or similar errands, but it’s not enough to haul much. Infinite Machine sells a basket and rack, but they are nonstandard—and expensive. The Olto’s display is pretty minimalistic, primarily showing the speed, the status of the lights, and directional indicators. If you want a clearer picture of the hardware, the machine is designed to be used in tandem with its cell phone app. There’s a clamp for the phone next to the screen, and a small hatch below allows access to a USB charging port; it has enough space to store long charging cords. If you don’t want to use your phone, the company provides a couple of NFC cards, and there’s a reader on the handlebars that lets you unlock it (you can link up to 10 cards to one machine). You can also use the phone app to set the machine to auto-lock when shut down with the NFC card. If someone manages to take off with your Olto, you can track its location. This is clearly the most security-conscious e-bike I’ve reviewed. Those are the pros. The cons include the boost button, which simply unlocks illegal performance. To get the most out of the Olto, you’ll probably have to invest in accessories that work only with the Olto and are quite expensive, compared to standard parts available from multiple suppliers. While nimble under power, it’s very awkward to move around when you’re not riding it. And while it was designed with urban environments and security in mind, it may need to be stored on the street in many of them, which might not always be a great option. This creates a bunch of trade-offs that can be difficult to optimize. As a cyclist, I think anything that gets people out of cars is a positive—even with its added heft, I’d much rather share the road with an Olto than a typically monsterized SUV or truck. But I’m less excited about sharing a busy bike lane in a crowded city with one, given that it has the weight to bump me out of said lane and into the traffic if it’s operated carelessly. I also recognize that the opposition to expanding bike infrastructure is fueled in part by bad behavior and the equipment that enables it, some of which is, shall we say, of questionable legality. So as much as possible, I’d like to see the hardware stay clearly within the legal lines. The Olto, by contrast, is designed to push right against them and, whenever the boost button is hit, cross them. So I find myself appreciating, and even admiring, the motivations of the people behind the Olto: getting people out of cars, taking full advantage of cycling infrastructure, and electrifying transit. But I’m less convinced that the Olto is the right expression of those goals.