Linky, the electric longboard that folds up into a (designer) bag, seeks €100,000 on Kickstarter and is almost 50% of the way there. During the campaign, the inventors (3 from Le Marche and 1 from Campania, average age 28) have been involved in numerous events in Florence, including putting in an appearance at Pitti Uomo 90.
Linky attracted as many looks as any crazy outfit at Pitti! | Model Leonardo Stoppioni, Photo Marco Badiani
Developed by a group of passionate travelers, the idea behind Linky is to have an environmentally sound method of transportation that can improve our experience of cities. The board is fun and easy to ride, even by non-skateboard types, and then can be folded up and put in a backpack when not in use. Targeted at commuters and travelers, Linky just may be the accessory of 2017.
Linky backpack for a picnic | blanket Lanificio B, wine Il Borro
A big part of their project is the development of a family of Italian designer backpacks that let you carry Linky – and other stuff – around, freeing up your hands and making Linky more portable than other longboards, foldable bikes or scooters. Working with a manufacturer in Le Marche who makes bags for luxury brands, there’s a sleek daily knapsack that fits your laptop and essentials, a bare-bones commuter bag, and a carry-on sized duffel, all in matching tones of bamboo, denim and eco-suede. The jeans fabric for the bags is made by Imatex, one of the most innovative denim producers, located in Abruzzo (Teramo). Creative director and CEO Fabrizio Annunzi says he’s enthusiastic to collaborate with the young inventors of Linky and to co-promote Made in Italy”.
Perfect for commuters – the voyager and minimalist bag | Models Sara Meucci & Claudio Guidotti, Photo Marco Badiani
The board itself doesn’t sacrifice performance. Linky weighs 4.9 kilos (10.8 pounds) and is made of high strength polymers from the automotive industry, carbon fibre, and a bamboo deck. You can ride 15 km (9 miles), and it charges to 85% of its capacity in just half an hour. It’s top speed is 30 km/h (18 mph), and it’s been tested to resist up to 160 kilos (352 pounds). One of the most important things for the design team is that Linky be safe to carry on an airplane, so it’s been engineered to respect IATA regulations for batteries in the air, either carry on or checked.
Linky the fashion accessory | Model Olympia in Milan, photo Marco Badiani
If their Kickstarter is successful (they’re aiming for €100,000) Linky’s founders intend to set up production locally in Le Marche, and make Linky using artisanal methods, entirely in Italy. The board, which ships with one of the custom bags mentioned above, will retail for €1200 bag excluded, though currently units are available at €899.
Linky at Pitti | Model Leonardo Stoppioni, Photo Marco Badiani
Curious? you can pre-order one on Kickstarter, or come test drive it in Florence on Thursday June 16 from 7pm onwards at the event, in collaboration with Yelp Firenze, at street-food space La Toraia and Pescepane on lungarno Colombo.
