The Whispa is an innovative, funky electrically-powered urban commuter using 100% electric energy that will change the way urbanites commute throughout the downtown core, as well as provide people with a fun new recreational option.

They are as quiet as a whisper, odorless and, of course, totally emission-free. Refueling is never needed, and you don't even have to push the pedals to ride it. The Whispa has revolutionized the personal commuter and freed its rider from the fossil-fuel bonds of conventional machines. Whispa's are equipped with a large-capacity battery and high-powered electrical motor for a long cruising range. And because it has its own charger, you can charge it up at your destination or remove the battery and charge it wherever your Whispa takes you. Traveling about in the city, to-and-from work, around your home, or at the cottage is now more convenient, environmentally friendly and economical than ever.

Buying a Whispa is literally as easy as buying a bike. In some cases, it's even easier!

No, you do not need a license! Anyone 16 year of age or older can both own and ride one in Ontario and anywhere in Canada. They are fully compliant with all Federal and Provincial road laws and endorsed by both the Ontario and Federal Governments as part of their program to promote novel alternative energy vehicles, especially within our increasingly congested urban centers. Now, the really cool thing is:

• You do not need any license
• You do not need any kind of insurance [i.e. motor vehicle liability insurance or otherwise]
• You do not need to take a written nor even a road test
• Nor, do you need a license plate
• Nor do you need to even register your Whispa

Awesome, huh! Hard to believe Government is making our lives easier. All you need is you and a CSA-approved bicycle helmet! If you can ride a bike, you can ride a Whispa! Now compare that to the hassle and cost both in terms of time and expense of buying and owning a gas-powered scooter. A Whispa sure makes Torontionians' busy lives easier:

• No extra costs in obtaining insurance, as well as the new restricted Class M license (also known as the "Moped license")
• No time wasted obtaining a Moped license - scheduling and taking a road test
• You never have to worry about having to having a license on you

You can buy your Whispa and take it on the road the very second you buy it. Of course, assuming the bike been charged and you have your bike helmet with you.

The only drawback is, in order to be classified as such, they are electronically limited to 32 km/h. However, do keep in mind this is significantly faster then the vast majority of people will ever average with their bicycles and that gas-powered moped are limited to 50 km/h anyway AND yet still require a license, insurance, license plate and all the other hassles mentioned above.

• All Whispa's conform to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act and are labeled as a "Power Assisted Bicycle that meets all the requirements of section 2(1) of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations". I.e. they are legally classified as 'bicycles' so that you don't require a license, but they are really scooters.
• All Police Departments in Canada have been made aware of this new class of vehicle, so they will know what a Whispa is when they see you driving one these nifty things
• You must however, obey all traffic laws, as you would on a bike, and you obviously can't drink and drive.

As Whispa's are legally classified as "power assisted bicycles" they therefore can travel anywhere a bicycle can, be in cruising down Bloor St. or Eglinton Ave. or even ambling along the likes of Highway 7 or Highway 27 for those loving further from the city center.

• You ride them on any major road in the same fashion as you would a bike.
• You can ride them on any trail or path where municipal by-laws also permit road or mountain bikes.
• You can not ride them on sidewalks - unless of course you going to park your bike somewhere
• You can not ride them on 'any controlled access' highways (basically those with an on or off ramp) such as the 400 series highways - i.e. the 401, 404, 407; the QEW or the Queensway in Ottawa or the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway.

Sure. But be forewarned, you may fall asleep reading this stuff.

As of October 3, 2006, Ontarians can now use power-assisted bicycles (also known as electric bicycles or e-bikes) on Ontario roads. The power-assisted bicycle pilot is authorized by Ontario Regulation 473/06. In this regulation, the legal definition of a vehicle refers to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle.

Ok, enough legalese - that stuff is so dry! I warned you.

Ontario Ministry of Transportation
New and Alternative Vehicles - Power Assisted / Electric Bicycles

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/index.html#power

Ontario Regulation permitting its use
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/060473_e.htm

Whispa's are clean, SILENT, inexpensive, cool, and or course, fun!

Whispa's are a great form of urban transport:

• They are convenient and very easy-to-use
• They require no license, no insurance, nor any special training
• You can park them anywhere
  • No need to ever search for hard-to-find downtown parking. Park it like a bike! Anywhere!
• Are much safer then any bicycle as they have the same safety features as a gas-powered scooter
• Allow you to quickly and easily defy Toronto's traffic log jams.
  • While the cars are stuck in slow or bumper-to-bumper traffic, you quietly scoot along you want and need to go - quietly and stress free

Whispa's are great for the environment:

• No noise
• No pollution
• No exhaust
• No fuel

Whispa's are a fun, affordable, and smart new way to get around town:

• They are practically maintenance-free
• Have unbelievably low energy costs - Just 3 cents per charge!
• Have extremely low operating and maintenance costs
  • No need to ever pay for expensive downtown parking
  • No need to pay for insurance,
  • No need to pay for a driver's license, and best of all
  • No need to EVER pay for gas!
• They look cool, funky and are fun!

The range is affected by the weight of rider, the type of terrain and the manner of driving, as well as the model. Generally, Whispa models with more powerful motors and the corresponding battery size to augment the increased motor size, deliver the longest range.

For an 80 kg (175 lb) rider on a flat road, the range of Whispa's varies between 50-60 km (31-37 miles) depending on the particular Whispa model.

Whispa's range in price from $1,450 CDN for the fun-loving and cool Zip to $1,550 CDN for the über-cool, sophisticated Whispa Sprint.

It all depends on the type of journey you have and how well you maintain your Whispa. Charge it up wherever and whenever you can - you don't have to wait until you've drained the charge - and you'll see the benefit in significantly longer battery life. Under normal usage, lead acid batteries last up to 350-400 full charges. If you ride your elcetrically-powered Whispa regularly to empty, the life cycle can drop to 200 charges. However with regular recharging the battery of a typical rider should last 2-3 years.

Depending on the model, a replacement battery costs between around $150 and can be ordered online through your Whispa dealer.

Yes, for six months.

1 year.

All Whispa models are equipped with sealed lead-acid batteries. While there are for kinds of batteries - namely, Lead Acid (PbA), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), and Lithium-ion, lead-acid are the most reliable, the safest and the least expensive. In fact, 95% of all electric-powered scooters produced in the world today are powered by lead-acid battery technology.

Yes, it's very easy. The battery can be charged in one of two convenient ways:

• By simply removing the battery from your Whispa and insert the battery charger into any regular outlet at location that is convenient to you - your home, work place, our the classroom
• By charging the bike directly by plugging a charger cable into the side of your Whispa.

Just plug it in. When the battery is full, charging automatically stops. Whispa's are equipped with overload current protectors to prevent overcharging.

The battery can be charged at any stage. For a longer battery life, we recommend you recharge after every ride or at least regularly.

Depending on the model 5-8 hours. However, as you should be regularly topping up the battery to extend its life, in actual use, recharging times should be considerably shorter for day-to-day use.

All Whispa dashboards have gauges that clearly indicate the power level of the battery in your Whispa. As in a gas-powered vehicle, a gauge indicates if the battery is full, half full or approaching empty. Whispa's operate in a similar manner. An indicator indicates if you are full, half full or approaching empty. When your gauge shows yellow, you have about 5-8 km (less then 5 miles) of energy left in your battery. Additionally, a warning beep will alert you that the battery is down to almost ten percent of a full battery level. The beep will become more consistent the closer it reaches the ten percent level, which is the lowest allowable level. When the gauge indicates red, immediate charging is necessary.

Practically nothing. Fully charging a battery cost about 3 cents. Looking at it another way, $1 will take you between 1800 km-2000 km (1000+ miles) on your Whispa*. Operating costs are essentially NOTHING! Sure beats anything gas-powered doesn't it!.

Looking at it another way, the typical commute for most riders on a Whispa should be less then 2 cents.

* Based on 0.8-1.0 KHh to fully charge 1 battery and on an Ontario residential rate of $0.055/Kwh.

Whispa's are classified as bicycles in Canada and as such their speed has been electronically limited to 32 km/hr (20 mph) to comply with both Provincial and Federal vehicle laws. The benefit - No need for a license, a special scooter license, or insurance. The only thing one needs is a CSA-approved bicycle helmet. Do keep in mind this is significantly faster then the vast majority of people will ever average with their bicycles and that gas-powered moped are limited to 50 km/h anyway AND require a license, insurance, license plate and all the other hassles mentioned earlier.

Very easy. Whispa's have been designed for minimum maintenance.

Since Whispa's do not have an internal combustion engine, nor most of the mechanical parts normally found in gas-powered scooters - no transmission, no belts, no ignition plus, etc. - Whispa's are virtually service and maintenance-free and are very easy to maintain. They have been designed to be very simple and hassle-free. Modular-designed components make it extremely easy to replace a defective part and replace it with a new part. If the battery or motor need to be replaces, simply remove the battery or motor and replace it with a new one. Most owners can easily maintain their Whispa's themselves - should you need any assistance, any well-equipped bike store can help.

All Whispa's come with maintenance-free brushless motors.

Typically, the most common technical problem with a Whispa is a flat tire - which is as easy to replace as changing your bike tire. Of course, any bike store can also assist you if needed. Tires are inflated using a regular high-pressure bike tire pump.

For your average user, batteries will need to be replaced about every two to five years and the electric motor, every two to three years. Again, because of the modular design, this is a very simple task. So, your total cost of ownership over time should be very low.

When the driver turns the ignition key, beeps will immediately follow telling the driver that the scooter is ready to drive. There is absolutely no warm-up time needed. Just turn the key and you are ready to go. It can't be any easier.

Not a problem. We offer a complete line of parts from batteries to electric motors. Please see our website for parts and accessories. Expendable parts such tires, tubes, bulbs, etc. can also be found in just about any regular bike store.

Well, it offers a completely different and unique riding experience. Riding an electrically-powered Whispa is indescribably more comfortable than riding your typical load gasoline-powered scooter. The silence and the smoothness of an electric-powered Whispa are incomparable. No more revving engines, no more exhausts and no noise. Just Silence. Whispa's are absolutely whisper quiet! Other notable differences include:

• Whispa's have no clutch. Whispa's uses a direct drive motor built in the rear axel which provides for quick acceleration - 0 to 32km/hr in about 4 seconds;
• The low position of the battery pack shifts the electric scooter center of gravity low to the ground which makes it stable and easier to balance than a gas-powered scooter or even a bicycle
• In terms of power comparisons with a conventional gas-powered engine, a 500 W electrical motor is roughly equivalent to a 49 cc gas engine

The electrical motor is situated in the center of and build into the rear wheel. Why? Having the motor below you and at the rear of the bike allow for a lower center of gravity leading to better maneuverability and balance.

You could easily due so, but currently Ontario law requires that a electric bicycle to be ridden by only one person, with no passengers. It sucks, we know.

Weight is not an issue. Whispa's have been designed to carry between 100-170 kg (220-374 lb). Each scooter has its own load rating; please refer to the Technical Specifications for each particular model to find a Whispa scooter that meets your requirements. For example, the Whispa Sprint has been especially designed for larger and/or taller riders.

Whispa's are equipped with high torque brushless motor and CPU controller that estimates the pitch of the hill and increasing the motor torque accordingly. Depending on the model (motor size, and battery power), Whispa's can handle hills between 8-12 degrees. What does that mean? Well, your average gradient in the Rockies or Alps is some 6-8 degrees, so the streets of Toronto and Ontario are a breeze. While they can tackle quite steep hills, the power usage will impact range and speed.

If you live in a hilly area, the Whispa Sprint, Silencio, Breeze, and Serenity are your best options - however all the bikes can tackle pretty much any hill in Ontario with ease. The above bikes offer outstanding climbing ability and have been designed to handel 12 degree inclines at a load rating of 100kg - 140kg (220 lbs. - 308 lbs.).

Depending on the model, some Whispa's incorporate a three-tier security system to protect your Whispa against theft and tampering. Most models have a:

• Electronic anti-theft alarm system
• Motor lock that completely disables the motor assembly
• Rear wheel lock that prevents bike from moving forward

Those models equipped with the alarm system, the alarm emits a piercing sound should anyone attempt to move or tampers with your bike in anyway. To render your Whispa completely immobile, we suggest bring along a chain lock or bicycle lock and locking your bike to a fixed object.

No, you don't need to start the scooter by pedaling. To start your Whispa, simply turn the ignition on with your key or wireless key system, turn the throttle and off you go! The motors are powerful, giving you a quick, smooth acceleration – even when starting on the most hilly of terrains. Not a problem.

The pedals qualify Whispa's as a bicycles and make them usable under the same regulations as a bicycle - hence, no need for a license or insurance. Irrespective of the legal requirement, the pedals are fully functional, allow you to propel the bicycle forward just like your traditional bicycle when the motor is off and, in the worst case, do at least allow you to get around should your battery ever run out!

Absolutely! Whispa's are completely safe in the rain be it a drizzle or a near monsoon, something we'll fortunately never have to worry about in this part of the world. Both the electric system and the motor is completely sealed and covered. Additionally, due to its Direct Current (DC) source and 48-volt system design, there is no danger when the Whispa does get wet. Extensive testing and field use has proven these to be water resistant and very safe. However, one should be careful not to pour water directly into the charger outlet, the controller and the internal battery set when washing or cleaning to avoid damaging your Whispa.

Riding in the rain is safe, however, you should reduce your speed according to the conditions at the time. While it can be done, we would not recommend riding any scooter in snow or ice for safety reasons.

If you are interested in becoming a Whispa dealer or interested in our model range please see become a dealer.

Generally, the higher the voltage (V) and the current (A) a battery has, the greater the power and the longer it will travel. For example, a 48 volt / 14 A bike will travel about double the distance of a 48 volt / 7 A or a 36 volt / 10 A electrical bike. All Whispa's come with 48 V batteries.

The power of the motor is directly related to the voltage and the current of the battery as Power=Voltage x Current. So, an increase in either increases the power of the bike by an equivalent amount.

Without getting overly technical, it largely depends on the weight of the bike, and to a lesser degree weight and/or load you want to carry. Generally, the higher the wattage, the more power your Whispa will have. Lighter bikes, such as the Whispa Serenity only require a 400 W motor for optimum performance (acceleration and range). On the other hand, the 500 W motor of the much larger and heavier Whispa Sprint offers the same or higher levels of performance, while comfortably transporting even the toughest loads - theoretically up to 374 lbs! Even 'Shaq' could technically ride one of these things, although we are not holding our breath waiting to hear back from his agent any time soon nor can guarantee its range for the likes of Shaq.

No matter how big or small the motor is, it will not perform to its potential if the batteries do not supply enough voltage/current to match the motor's rated power - you don't want to under- or over-power the electrical system, otherwise the bike is not performing optimally. All Whispa's have been engineered to provide the optimal balance of both power/ voltage/current supply between motor and battery to optimize the performance of each bike.

All Whispa come with high-power, 'brushless' DC (HP-BLDC) motors. Brushless motors are more efficient, more reliable, noticeably quieter and deliver more torque (essentially, the force that causes the wheels to turn) than do less expensive 'brushed' motors. Brushed motors require regular cleaning of the motor. Brushless do not require any maintenance at all.

Note: The Honda Civic hybrid car also uses a BLDC motor to supplement the output of the internal combustion engine when the extra power is needed.