So, Popcycle invited us to its Greenhills store to witness the launch of its new product, the Friend. It’s the first readily available electric trifold in the Philippines.

What’s impressive about this bike is the spec list. It rolls on 16-inch wheels with an integrated 250W motor in the rear hub that brings the speed up to 28km/h, more than enough for sweat-free riding. You also have a thumb throttle in case you want to speed up without pedaling.

The Friend has a 36V, 252Wh battery, with a maximum range of up to 45km. It’s quite impressive for a trifold, considering it features an electric motor, a seven-speed drivetrain, and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

The starting price is P65,000 for the unit only. If you opt for the range extender—which can triple the range up to 145km—that’s an additional P15,000 if you buy the unit in the same transaction.

The launch was intimate yet exciting. It gave me a different perspective as a car enthusiast as to how warm and welcoming people are in the cycling community. We also got to test the bike after the cool unveiling.

Thanks to a very compact package, you can bring the e-bike anywhere—such as a bus, a train, or a car—without needing to park. It ticks all the boxes for a hassle-free ownership experience, and offers flexibility in transportation choice.

I can see myself using the Friend in my daily commute without biking all the way from Las Piñas to Pasig. It’s definitely one of the bikes you should consider, especially with the benefits it offers. It’s lightweight, easy to ride, and highly portable.

You can check it out at your nearest Popcycle store. Could this be your new best Friend?