The Daily Valet. - 10/13/21, Wednesday

✔️ Are Cities Ready for This?

October 13, 2021

Wednesday, October 13th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

An extremely fast e-bike both excites and scares me ...

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

VanMoof’s First Hyperbike

The new V series is designed to reshape our cities

I’ve called VanMoof “the Tesla of electronic bikes” in the past and now it sounds like the cycling company is introducing its own version of “ludicrous mode.”

The Amsterdam-based e-bike specialists announced plans Tuesday for its first ever hyperbike, dubbed the VanMoof V. The company—popular with celebrities and cyclists alike—said in a statement that the new, faster e-bike will “redefine city mobility for good,” and act as a car replacement.

The V will have a top speed of 31 mph in the U.S. and a price tag of about $3,600, according to the announcement. “We see a big customer group that’s very keen to go faster and go much further on the e-bike than before,” says VanMoof co-founder and chief executive officer Ties Carlier. “We believe this new type of high speed e-bike can become the default for city travel and can replace cars and scooters by 2025.”

The new bike has an all-new aluminum frame design with two-wheel drive, full suspension, larger tires for a smoother ride and a dual motor system with intelligent motor control. It will also feature Turbo Boost, KickLock for keyless locking and integrated Theft Defense.

Despite the extra capabilities and strength, it is still pedal powered. This means no throttle, so the rider keeps a very natural bike riding experience (one that is lost on a motorcycle). “It’s made for you to feel more like an equal part of traffic while on two-wheels,” Carlier told HypeBeast. “This is crucial for the joy but also for safety.”

Speed limits vary across cities and counties, and the e-bike will have matching integrated speed settings. As it develops the VanMoof V, the company plans to work with lawmakers and local governments on e-bike rules, including geofencing and speed regulations. Of course, when it can go this fast, should it be in the bike lane or out in the road? I sure hope it won’t be ridden like the annoying e-scooter people zipping dangerously in between people on sidewalks.

↦ Get It: VanMoof plans to start deliveries of the hyperbike in late 2022 and is offering invite-only reservations for $20 starting now.

Police Officers Resist Getting Vaccinated

COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death among American cops

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death for police officers nationwide, more than firearms and traffic-related fatalities combined.

And yet, police unions are fighting vaccine mandates, reports the New York Times, and in some cases threatening resignations or flooding systems with requests for exemptions.

Police officers have given a host of reasons for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19, including not wanting to be forced into it or skepticism over vaccine safety—even though the shots have proven to be largely effective in preventing severe disease and death.

But some officials theorized that the daily dangers of police work may also make an invisible virus seem less of a hazard, and vaccination less high a priority, for the police.

↦ Meanwhile: Moderna argues the FDA should authorize a half-dose of its vaccine as a booster.

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Record Number of Workers Walk Off the Job

More Americans quit in August than in any other month since 2000

One reason America's employers are having trouble filling jobs was pretty clearly illustrated in a report Tuesday: Americans are quitting in droves.

As the economy struggles to get back on track amid the pandemic, businesses are struggling to find employees—and workers are now discovering that they have leverage.

The Labor Department said that quits jumped to 4.3 million in August, the highest on record going all the way back to December 2000, and up from 4 million the previous month. According to the Associated Press, that's equivalent to nearly 3% of the workforce.

But with more than 10 million unfilled job openings, CNBC says it's clear that more workers are seeking greener pastures. It's also a sign that workers are showing new reluctance to return to lousy jobs, whether defined by low pay, abusive or hazardous workplaces, or limited opportunities for advancement.

FDA Authorizes First E-Cigarette

Citing benefits for smokers, but denying flavored versions popular with teens

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday authorized an electronic cigarette, saying the vaping device from R.J. Reynolds can help smokers cut back on conventional cigarettes.

E-cigarettes have been sold in the U.S. for more than a decade with minimal government oversight or research. Facing a court deadline, the FDA has been conducting a sweeping review of vaping products to determine which ones should be allowed to remain on the market.

Companies submitted applications for 6.5 million vaping and e-cigarette products, and the agency has rejected the vast majority. The FDA says its decisions center on whether the benefits of an e-cigarette product to adult smokers outweigh the risk of hooking kids and teenagers on nicotine for the first time.

However, the FDA denied ten applications put forward by R.J. Reynolds to allow marketing for flavored vaping products (think fruit, candy or mint). According to Newsweek, the agency cited the use of flavored e-cigarette products by younger generations as part of the reasoning behind their decision to deny the applications.

↦ FYI: R.J. Reynolds is the second-largest tobacco conglomerate in the United States, behind such brands as Newport, Camel and Pall Mall.

In Other News

↦ U.S. to Lift Canada, Mexico Land Border Restrictions in November for Vaccinated Visitors, Officials Say

↦ The Grammys’ Inability to Properly Categorize a Genre Strikes Again

↦ Prince Charles Says His Aston Martin Runs on Fuel Made From Wine and Cheese

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

This lucky elk

Why are they messing with ‘Home Alone’?

These strange radio signals

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