GM Begins Selling ARIV eBikes In Europe

As uncovered by GM Authority, GM is getting into the eBike business. After asking fans to submit a name for the new subdivision, GM finally settled for the ARIV name. Back in February, The General announced pre-orders for Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Well, the bikes are now being sold in Europe as we write this.

The GM ARIV eBike models are two-fold – the compact Meld and the foldable Merge. They’re essentially the same bike, but the Merge can be folded, while the Meld can not. GM Authority discovered both names in 2018 as GM filed to trademark them with the USPTO.

With the Ariv Meld and Merge, GM is targeting urbanization trends in cities where the automobile is increasingly restrained. In fact, ARIV is launching in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands because eBikes have started seeing huge popularity in those markets.

Compact, fast, and agile, the ARIV eBikes were developed by GM’s Urban Mobility Solutions division based out of facilities in Michigan and Oshawa, Ontario. Their goal was to deliver “a fresh aesthetic combined with a lightweight design that is ideal for city and commuter traffic.”

“The crowdsourcing campaign allowed us to bring consumers into the development of our brand,” said Hannah Parish, ARIV director. “Combine that with our products and our blend of bike and automotive talent, and the result is a unique brand DNA.”

GM says that the ARIV team combined its automotive and cycling expertise to create an innovative eBike design that addresses the unique needs of urban commuters. In addition, GM’s extensive experience with electric vehicle motor software and controls greatly influenced the proprietary GM motor that was built from the ground up specifically for the ARIV eBikes.

GM did not specify battery capacity or power or torque levels of the motor, but did say that it “delivers top-of-segment power and torque for its size” while enabling speeds up to 25 kph with four levels of pedal-assisted power. The battery, meanwhile, charges in approximately 3.5 hours and can “provide up to 64 kilometers of ride time on a single charge.”

What’s more, the compact design of both models allows for easy transit and more convenient storage. The ARIV Merge folds easily, allowing customers to conveniently roll the bike on its two wheels while folded. The bikes also feature Walk mode, allowing customers to engage the motor capability to walk the eBikes up steep terrain more easily. Both bikes feature internal cable routing to deliver a modern and uninterrupted design.

The ARIV Merge and Meld come standard with safety components such as integrated and rechargeable LED safety lights in the front and rear for increased visibility, along with oversized brake rotors for ample stopping power. One of the key features of the ARIV Meld and Merge is the ARIV mobile app, which connects to the bike via Bluetooth. Once synced, the app displays real-time bike information such as speed, distance, remaining battery level, motor assist level, distance traveled and more. Additional features are planned for the app including a mode that will use a proprietary algorithm to help riders arrive at their destination sweat-free.

The bikes are equipped with a Quad Lock mount, a market-leading system to securely attach a smartphone to the eBike. An integrated USB port allows riders to charge their phones while on the go.

Pricing for the new GM ARIV bikes varies depending on the area where they’re sold. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the Meld model stickers for €2,800. In Germany, that price is €2,750. The retail price for the foldable Merge model is set at €3,400 in the Netherlands and Belgium and €3,350 in Germany.

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Follow these links for more GM ARIV eBike information:

• ARIV news
  • ARIV Meld news
  • ARIV Merge news