Electric micromobility is flooded with standard step-through commuter frames, fat-tire cruisers, and fold-up sit-down scooters. Then there’s the Olto by Infinite Machine—a vehicle that looks less like a standard bicycle and more like a minimalist urban assault craft built specifically for modern city streets.
During a visit to Infinite Machine’s headquarters in Long Island City, Queens, co-founder Eddie Cohen shared the philosophy behind the company, the three-year engineering process behind the Olto, and gave a first-hand look at how it actually handles real-world pavement and cobblestones.
Born from City Frustration
Infinite Machine was founded by Eddie and his brother during COVID. Having grown up in Brooklyn, studied in Philadelphia, and lived in San Francisco, they realized standard e-bikes and conventional motor vehicles weren’t solving the true pain points of modern city transit.
“We thought really from first principles: how would we design kind of the ultimate bike lane vehicle?… In life, there is a tendency to kind of revert to the mean… to do something that’s very different takes a tremendous amount of activation energy.” — Eddie Cohen, Co-Founder
Prior to the Olto, the team engineered the P1—a 65 mph plated roadster inspired by their background riding motorcycles and Vespas. With the Olto, they distilled that high-performance engineering into an everyday, accessible platform that legally occupies the bike lane.
Design & Engineering: Industrial Simplicity
The Olto spent three years in development, focusing on clean lines and tight integration. There are virtually no loose wires visible across the frame. The front fascia and side stem are built from extruded, machined, and anodized aluminum—an unusually premium manufacturing choice for personal electric vehicles.
- Street-Legal Flexibility: Operates out-of-the-box as a Class 2 e-bike (up to 20 mph via twist throttle). It features a built-in clutch system that engages a pedal chain drive if you want pedal assist or need to pedal home on an empty battery.
- Performance: Hardware supports unlocking up to 25 mph (Class 3 mode) or 28 mph with pedal assist depending on local regulations, with a special pink-illuminated Boost Mode on the handlebars. It even includes a dedicated Reverse mode—a rarity among two-wheelers.
- Battery & Charging: A 20 lb, 40-cell (approx. 25 Ah) battery slides directly into the seat stem. It is hot-swappable, charges via a home dock, and leaves vehicle security systems live even when removed.
- Range & Rolling Chassis: Rated at 35 miles of real-world range in Class 2 mode. It rolls on 12-inch pneumatic tires (inflated to 32 psi) powered by a rear hub motor and stopped by motorcycle-style hydraulic brakes.
- Suspension: A hidden horizontal dual-shock rear setup paired with a front twin fork designed to eat up urban potholes and broken pavement.
Anti-Theft Obsession
For city riders, theft anxiety is the single biggest barrier to PEV adoption. Infinite Machine approached security as a core architectural requirement rather than an aftermarket accessory:
- Physical Steering Lock: Turning the bars hard left and holding power engages a mechanical lock that prevents the front wheel from turning.
- Motor Immobilizer: The rear hub automatically resists and locks up if unauthorized rolling is detected.
- Always-On GPS & Telematics: Vehicle location stays traceable via a smartphone app even when the main battery is removed.
- Keyless NFC/Phone Unlock: Walk-up proximity unlocking via phone or tap-to-ride NFC keycards.
- Frame Anchor Points: Dedicated steel lock-through cutouts on the chassis and kickstand keep U-locks secure.
To date, the company reports zero successful thefts across fleets operating on the streets of New York City and San Francisco.
Modularity & Passenger Utility
Despite its compact profile, the Olto carries two passengers using retractable foot pegs and integrated pillion grab handles.
It also serves as a modular platform. The rear subframe sports six load-bearing bolt mounts capable of supporting cargo racks, delivery crates, or coolers. The cockpit includes integrated USB-C and USB-A fast-charging ports, while accessory rails accommodate custom phone docks, cup holders, and even a modular Bluetooth speaker cradle.
Pricing & Availability
- Base Price: $3,495 (available in raw Silver or Matte Black anodized finishes).
- Custom Wraps: Factory vinyl options (Sand, Forest Green, Red) run an additional $500.
- Financing: Infinite Machine is rolling out options targeted at ~$100/month, explicitly aiming to undercut rideshares and monthly bike-share memberships for primary urban transit.
- Delivery: Units are fulfilled via direct pickup in NYC or shipped in rigid crate tubing directly to riders’ doorsteps nationwide.
The Olto isn’t just another generic e-bike with pedals glued onto a scooter frame; it’s a ground-up rethinking of how a two-wheeled vehicle can replace a car in the core of a dense city. Learn more or buy the OLTO.
