Segway’s new Myon e-bike will straddle the past and future

Segway’s humble e-bike lineup is about to get a new entrant.

The Ninebot-owned brand, previously known for its pioneering self-balancing scooters, currently sells just two e-scooters: The motorcycle-style Xyber and the low-stepping Xafari. And now it’s getting a third, the Myon, which it plans to make its official debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next year. But before that, the company presented two exclusive teaser images of the new bike Edge.

Segway describes the Myon as an e-bike for everyday commuter and leisure use that should feel more like a “traditional” bike than the Xyber and Xafari.

“We designed the Myon for every type of rider, from beginners to experienced cyclists,” Nick Howe, head of e-bikes at Segway, said in a statement. “It’s an e-bike that’s as suitable for daily commuting as it is for recreational weekend cruising. With technology that combines original Segway innovations with automotive-inspired features, we believe it represents a leap forward in terms of the rider experience on two wheels.”

Although we can’t see much in the provided images, we can see one interesting feature: the rear-facing radar. Segway says the Myon will include millimeter-wave radar to “enhance safety,” calling it among several technologies the company is sourcing from the auto industry. Segway says radar can help alert cyclists when cars are approaching, from what direction, and how close they are without having to take their eyes off the road.

“It’s like having eyes in the back of your head,” Howe said. “It helps keep you more aware of your surroundings without taking your eyes off what’s in front of you.”

The rear-view radar will have a 150-degree field of view with a range of 230 feet aft and 20 feet wide. It will contain a variety of alerts for the following scenarios based on the detected vehicle’s distance, location, and speed: Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane change warning (LCW) and Rear Collision Warning (RCW). If turn signals are in use while a BSD or LCW alert is active, the signal frequency will increase, prompting increased caution regarding any intended changes in direction. Riders will be able to customize alerts and adjust sensitivity in the Segway Mobility app.

Rear-facing radar is nothing new in the world of e-bikes, with many manufacturers including this technology in their models, either as a standard feature or as an option. Segway chooses the latter, selling its rearview radar as a paid upgrade for the Myon. (Pricing for this feature, as well as the bike, won’t be available until January 6th, the same day it goes on sale.) For its value, the Segway’s radar has a lower range than the rear-facing radar offered by Garmin and included in Specialized Turbo lineup (Segway 230 feet vs. Specialized 460 feet).

It’s great to see Segway continuing to build out their e-bike lineup. While the e-bike business is becoming more complex, more expensive, and… Some well-known players fall by the waysideIt’s encouraging to see established companies, especially those focused on affordable models, continuing to release fun and interesting products.