The Hydrofoiler XE-1 water e-bike by Manta5 finally sells in Australia

A miracle electric bike that you pedal across the sea and along rivers is finally launching in Australia.

Technology journalist at The Australian Chris Griffith test rides the Hydrofoiler XE-1 by Manta5, an electric bike that planes across water, at Devonport beach in Auckland, New Zealand.

A miracle electric bike that you pedal across the sea and along rivers is finally launching in Australia.

The Australian reviewed Manta5’s Hydrofoiler XE-1 e-bike in Auckland in February 2020, just before the pandemic struck locally. Since then about 2000 Hydrofoilers have been sold mainly on the US east coast but lately across the rest of the US and in Europe.

Now it’s our turn with Australia coming out of lockdown.

If the craze takes off, you may find yourself seeing cyclists pedalling along rivers, across lakes, and out from beaches.

Some epic journeys have taken place, such as an Hydrofoiler e-bike ride between the north and south islands of New Zealand on a single battery.

Australian distributor Future Movement’s Luke Bakhuizen today confirmed that with Australia now opening up, pre-orders were being taken for the Hydrofoiler and units destined for Australia will start to arrive in about three weeks time.

The Hydrofoiler looks a bit like a bike with its bike seat, handlebars and pedals. You have to balance as you would a two-wheeled street bike. Instead of driving a regular bike chain, the action of pedalling on the Hydrofoiler drives a small rear propeller that motors you along. Rotating the handlebars moves a tiller at front.

You need to develop the skill of getting onto the bike and getting going; that’s isn’t straight forward. It took me four attempts to succeed in Auckland.

Underwater set-up

You also need to be careful when steering. I found it easy to lose balance when turning and ended up in the drink.

There again, this test in Auckland was my first tryout, and I am an adventurer in my late 60s. Judging from the many videos online of Hydrofoiler, those who already ride regularly don’t have a problem.

I tried the Hydrofoiler at ­Devonport, across Waitemata Harbour from Auckland city. The day wasn’t ideal. The water was a tad choppy, the beach a bit rocky, but it was an epic adventure and I had eventual success.

Mr Bakhuizen said that when it comes to Australian regulation, the Hydrofoiler’s relatively low speed and motor output would fall below the threshold needed for licensing “but we do encourage people to check with the local authorities”.

Taking off on the Hydrofoiler

He said he had checked with NSW authorities and there were no general restrictions on use, but prospective users should check nonetheless. For example, in NSW there are areas where you can ride Jet Skis but you can’t ride them on Sydney Harbour; they were banned there by Bob Carr when he was premier 20 years ago.

Mr Bakhuizen said Future Movement would be checking with other state authorities to assist buyers.

Australia may not have the quantum of inland volcanic lakes where the Hydrofoiler excels in New Zealand, but Mr Bakhuizen says ocean beaches, calmer waters (such as Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne) and rivers would be suitable environments for them.

He argues the Hydrofoiler is probably as safe as a regular e-bike, in that you can’t be hit by a truck or by a swerving car as you would on the roads.

When I pointed out that, on the other hand, you could be chased by a big saltie croc, he said the Hydrofoiler should outpace it. “It should be fine if you keep pedalling,” he said. We’ll have to take his word on that.

He says cyclists, surfers and others interested in water sports are coming on board quickly.

The Hydrofoiler XE-1 electric bike by Kiwi start-up Manta5 will retail at $13,490 in Australia. More information can be found at Future Movement’s website.

The steering and buoyancy mechanism