A US startup lands in Taiwan to build “Just Right” Motorbike

In the lush, misty hills of Yangmingshan, I find Andrew Hall, the founder of Paka Electric, surrounded by a jumble of vehicle parts and accessories in his mud-splattered van. It's a scene of organized chaos, a testament to the countless trials and tests he's conducted in his quest to perfect his latest prototype. With hands-on dedication, Hall is assembling what he believes to be not just another motorbike but a new chapter in outdoor adventure.

Paka Electric, a startup working on electric motorbikes, is spearheaded by Hall, whose diverse background includes work with UN Habitat and World Bicycle Relief. Central to Paka Electric's design is the Pakalot system, an innovation born out of Hall's commitment to utility and inclusivity. This system’s open-source nature is an invitation – a call to bikers, tinkerers, and dreamers to join in and add their innovations to their demands.

But what's most striking about this motorbike is its cargo system, cleverly integrated into the frame. This isn't a proprietary, lock-you-in kind of design; it's straightforward, using standard strut channel components you can find in any local hardware store, which allows you to attach just about any accessory anywhere on the bike. Hall presented to us how quick and easy to assemble the additional seats and storage baskets with his own hands.

“As a family or as a worker, you can make your own motorbikes that fit you the best by adding on these accessories, with no limitation,” said the founder. Hall regards the motorbike as a platform for creativity, where the accessories, much like apps on a smartphone, are developed and shared within the community.

From Kenya to Taiwan: Andrew Hall is a veteran in the bicycle industry

In Taiwan, Hall discovered not just the high-quality bicycle manufacturing that the island is known for, but also a community eager to embrace innovation.  / Image Credits: Wend Wu

Andrew Hall's journey to founding Paka Electric took a pivotal turn during his tenure in Kenya with World Bicycle Relief. For a decade, this American immersed himself in creating heavy-duty, affordable vehicles in Kenya, a role that deeply influenced his approach to product design and development. His time with World Bicycle Relief as a Product Manager and in Operations in Kisumu, Kenya, from April 2010 to August 2016, laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

The experience in Kenya, dealing with commercial vehicles and heavy-duty tools, led Hall to a pivotal moment in his career: a transition to product development in Taiwan for the same company. It was in Taiwan, particularly in Taichung, that Hall discovered the high quality of bicycle manufacturing, a revelation that steered his path towards the creation of Paka Electric.

“As a guy who spent a decade in the bicycle industry, it’s always nice to be close to the supply chain, so here I am,” said Hall. In Taiwan, Hall discovered not just the high-quality bicycle manufacturing that the island is known for, but also a community eager to embrace innovation. Taiwan proved to be a fertile ground for Hall's vision. He found a community eager to participate in trials, early adopters who were influential in sectors like farming. This initial support was crucial, providing Hall with immediate feedback and a real-world testing ground for his prototypes. The Taiwanese customers, with their specific needs like carrying heavy loads over significant distances, shaped the development of Paka Electric's motorbikes. Hall designed them to be robust, with a 20kg battery capacity and a range of 45-60 kilometers, ideal for applications like last-mile deliveries.

What made Taiwan an even more appealing base for Hall and Paka Electric was the welcoming business environment. Hall and his family felt embraced by the local culture. The ease of interaction, the openness of small shops to new ideas, and their willingness to experiment were invaluable to a startup like Paka Electric.

Paka Electric's Solution for the US Market: The "Just Right" Trusty Trucker

Paka Electric's Trusty Trucker. This vehicle is designed to hit the sweet spot for the American outdoors market. / Image Credits: Paka Electric

Paka Electric's entry into the US market is more than just a business move; it's a response to a significant need. Over 150 million Americans - encompassing farmers, hunters, park rangers, land managers, law enforcement, and outdoor adventurers - make the outdoors their workplace and playground. For these individuals, the outdoors is not just a setting; it's an integral part of their daily life. However, their needs for outdoor transportation have long been underserved, with existing options falling short in various ways.

In the US market, the challenge is to provide transportation that's capable, safe, and affordable. Traditional four-wheeled vehicles, although robust, are often expensive, too bulky for narrow trails, noisy, polluting, and complex to maintain, often requiring a dedicated trailer. Conversely, two-wheeled options like scooters, minibikes, and dirt bikes, though more accessible, have their own drawbacks. They typically produce noise and pollution, lack sufficient cargo capacity, have fixed seat heights resulting in discomfort, struggle on rough terrain, have limited ground clearance, and cannot pull trailers.

Paka Electric's Trusty Trucker. This vehicle is designed to hit the sweet spot for the American outdoors market. It stands out as a friendly, clean, and quiet alternative that is adept at conquering challenging terrains. The Trusty Trucker addresses all the pain points of existing outdoor transportation options. It's designed to be robust yet flexible, capable of handling various terrains while providing enough cargo capacity for different needs. Its design considers the rider's comfort and safety, making it suitable for extended use in varied outdoor conditions. But what really sets the Trusty Trucker apart is its affordability. It's not just about being just another option; it's about being the "Just Right" option.

〔Original :Meet Global〕
https://meet-global.bnext.com.tw/articles/view/48025