Mokumono Polder: The Most Local Electric Bicycle in the World?

By reducing the distance traveled by its components by 90%, the Dutch-made Mokumono Polder electric bike chooses local sourcing to go greener.

An electric bicycle is a good solution compared to a car for short distances, especially if you want to reduce your environmental impact. But it’s not the best. While muscle-powered bikes are the most efficient mode of transportation on the planet, e-bikes are less so. Because they have batteries, in addition to components that sometimes come from the other side of the world, in Asia.

The Mokumono Polder 100% European Origin Guarantee

This is where Mokumono aims to make a difference. This Dutch startup’s primary goal is to design a more locally sourced electric assistance bike. Its first model, the Delta, already halved the average mileage traveled by its components. Transparently, we can see that the motor, saddle, fork, or handlebars still came from Taiwan, about 10,000 km away. But its frame is manufactured on site, in the Netherlands, significantly reducing environmental impact. The Mokumono Delta can thus claim 4,221 km, compared to 8,500 km for a traditional competitor.

But this does not satisfy designers, who want to go even further with the Polder. Its production will be 100% European, and its parts travel ten times less distance. From 22,000 kilometers for a traditional model, the Polder bike requires only 2,100 km. To achieve this, the company decided to manufacture its own forks, handlebars, in addition to the frame.

Even the tires are sourced locally with Vredestein. For the rest, the motor Innotorq and the Gates belt come from Germany, the Brooks saddle from Italy, Hope Tech brakes from the UK, or the Miranda crankset from Portugal.

A VAE that comes in all colors

And the Mokumono Polder is also a very attractive e-bike. Notably because of its unique VTC look, with a rear 35 Nm motor integrated into the wheel hub and a removable battery placed at the top of the frame. It is also connected via Bluetooth, and can even be geo-located using “Airtag, SmartTag, or Tile,” according to the Dutch company.

Relatively lightweight at 20 kg in its battery configuration of 360 Wh (with a 540 Wh option), this bike offers a wide range of colors. An advantage of having a locally produced frame is that it allows for 40 color options, though an additional 250 euros is required.

This is on top of the Polder’s price of 2,590 euros, or 2,790 euros with the 540 Wh battery. Not so expensive when you compare it to the new Vanmoof S5. Mokumono has already opened preorders, with deliveries starting in September 2022.

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