Electric motorbike The debate has been going on since Bike EXIF came out. The most common criticisms come from the way electric bikes are compared to traditional bikes; range, cost, and lack of vibration and noise. But what if we thought of them as a complement to their gas-powered counterparts, rather than a replacement?
Just look at the parking lot once COUNTRY BICYCLE in Cleveland, Ohio, to see how this electric vehicle company thinks this way. “We’re all motorcycle enthusiasts at LAND,” says founder and CEO Scott Colosimo. “On a good day, our parking lot looks like a motorcycle dealership with all kinds of two-wheelers.”
Scott is realistic about the fact that full electrification is still a long way off, citing battery technology and infrastructure as the biggest hurdles. So LAND MOTO deliberately plays the middle ground—harnessing the best of electric power with their flagship motorcycle, the District.
“When it comes to electric vehicles and gas-powered bikes coexisting, we see the strengths of both technologies,” Scott says. “Electric vehicles excel in urban environments and shorter commutes, while gas-powered bikes still have an advantage for longer distances. There is definitely overlap—and we’re working to expand the areas where electric vehicles can compete and excel.”
Designed, engineered and built at LAND’s 65,000 square foot facility in Cleveland, the LAND electric motorbike The minimalist aesthetic is both futuristic and practical. An angular tubular steel frame forms the chassis, supported by inverted forks at the front and Fox Float gas shock absorbers at the rear. 17-inch alloy wheels grip the road, with Magura brakes providing good stopping power.
Just looking at the District’s myriad details, it’s clear that LAND is obsessed with design. “Design is the District’s top priority,” Scott asserts. “It’s considered from a design perspective first and everything else is secondary.”
“For us at LAND, the most important thing is culture, mindset and skills; making sure we dig as deep as possible while understanding all of our options,” adds Evan Paint, co-founder and lead industrial designer at LAND.
“This often means additional work to validate ideas, concepts and features, and control key processes as much as possible. It translates into an enhanced final product that fits better with the overall design, connects the details and builds a kind of personality or soul into what we create.”
That commitment shines through in the way each component of the District, and each surface finish is well judged and complements the other. The tiny body is made from a fiberglass-reinforced PC-PBT blend or vacuum-formed ABS. The battery tray is an aluminum unit, as is the sleek one-piece speedometer and headlight bracket.
CNC machined details include the bars, handlebar clamps, and footpegs. The seat is covered in textured, molded vinyl, with a custom LED taillight tucked into the back.
A proprietary IPM radial flux motor is hidden beneath the battery tray, sending power via belt to the crankshaft, then to the rear wheel via chain. This setup eliminates suspension wobble under acceleration—and makes routine tasks like changing a belt or chain delightfully simple.
But the District’s smartest detail is the one you can’t see—its versatility. Its motor can run in four different riding modes, delivering power from 750W to 17kW, with top speeds ranging from 20mph to 70mph. That means it can be classified as an e-bike, an e-scooter, or an e-motorcycle, depending on how you configure it.
“We deliberately chose to position the District in this middle ground,” Scott added. “This flexibility is key for us—it expands our potential market and gives us more options when it comes to regulatory compliance. It’s also lightweight and incredibly fun to pivot.”
Starting at $6,995, the District comes in ‘Street’ and ‘Scrambler’ variants, each available in three standard colors. Options include ABS aerodynamic wheel covers, luggage mounts, crash guards, and an on-board charger. You can also opt for a 15- or 19-tooth front sprocket or a Gates carbon belt drive.
More importantly, you can choose the District’s total battery capacity, depending on how you plan to use the bike. The battery tray is designed to hold one or two of LAND’s proprietary 1.8 kWh batteries or one of their 5.5 kWh batteries. Those three setups offer ranges of up to 40, 80, and 110 miles, bringing the District’s weight to 198, 226, and 230 lbs.
By building a bike that’s light, nimble, fun, and adaptable, the LAND MOTO has managed to sidestep any discussion of electric versus gas-powered bikes. The County isn’t trying to swallow up highways or cross continents. District Street have to tear up the asphalt in the narrow streets of the city, and Scrambler District set for fast mud shooting.
As for what the Cleveland company is doing next, it is currently in the process of upgrading its facilities, focusing on expanding its CORE battery system. LAND not only manufactures its own bicycle batteries, but also outsources its expertise, supplying batteries and sharing data with other electric vehicle companies.
One of them is Bloom, a Detroit-based company that handles manufacturing and logistics for small LEV (light electric vehicle) companies. Bloom benefits from LAND’s battery technology, while LAND benefits from having its products tested, validated, and refined across a multitude of platforms.
“Developing our own battery technology and collaborating with other companies, like our partnership with Bloom, has been a turning point for our R&D efforts,” Scott said. “It allows us to see our technology integrated into a variety of applications, providing us with invaluable feedback and real-world data.”
“This constantly feeds back into our development process, helping us refine and improve our technology.”
This focus on the future almost guarantees that we’ll be seeing more products from LAND MOTO in the near future. Until then, the District Street and District Scrambler make for a great opening series.
Produced in collaboration with COUNTRY BICYCLE | Facebook | Instagram
