­­MoonBikes, maker of the world’s first electric “snowbike,” has launched its Connected MoonBike app that will be available for download for the Winter 2023-2024 season. The announcement was made by MoonBikes’ Founder Nicolas Muron at the CES 2023 Unveiled media preview today.

The French startup launched its snowbikes in the U.S. in 2021 to democratize snow mobility, and the only one of its kind on the market is now available in the U.S., Canada, and over 20 countries worldwide. The company says that it is creating a veritable revolution in the snow mobility market with bikes that emit zero emissions and are silent for an enjoyable nature immersion; easy to charge, transport, and store; and most of all fun to ride.

The app will enable users to track numerous aspects of their rides including trail maps, altitude, distance, speed, duration, and battery level. They’ll also be able to see other riders in their area and “follow” friends to view their personal best rides, join them on trails, and create a MoonBikers social club. Muron says he is excited about the sense of community that MoonBikes lovers will have access to within the app.

“MoonBikes is super focused on creating outdoor products that immerse people into their surroundings,” said Muron. “MoonBikes are nearly silent, emission-free, and leave virtually no trace in the snow. Thanks to its innovative features, our Connected App brings MoonBikers together to build a community with others who are passionate about the outdoors. The app also provides riders with even greater control of their MoonBikes, thanks to the detailed dashboard which gives real-time data on the MoonBikes’ performance.”

Users will also be able to gain more insight into their rides, the app awarding top riders with bronze, silver, and gold medals for performance that will be displayed on the users’ profile page. They will be able to “unlock’ different badges and re-do tracks to inspire faster times, speeds, and greater heights. Users can share rides and leave comments and compliments on one another’s pages and will be challenged to virtual races and events to meet other like-minded MoonBikers virtually and in person.

The company’s CES booth visitors can demo the app and are given the opportunity to preview the company’s first interactive virtual reality headset to experience the MoonBike through the snowscapes of the French Alps, Italy, and other beautiful destinations.

MoonBikes, the company, was created in late 2018 by Muron, a former aeronautical engineer at Dassault Aviation, who was inspired by his love for the mountains and a deep interest in technology and sustainability. The entrepreneur believed there was a genuine need for something different in mobility, so he created the world’s first electric snowbike to provide a new way to get around in winter.

The company raised $650,000 in pre-seed funding in 2020 with business angels and partnered with Michelin and Bosch to build the two first batches of MoonBikes in France to ensure quality and safety. In October 2021, MoonBikes closed a $5 million seed round. Headquartered in Annecy, France, the company opened its U.S. subsidiary in Boulder, CO, in September 2021.

The MoonBikes snowbike is one-third the size of the average snowmobile and gives its users the freedom of an e-bike with the power of a motorcycle. It is three times lighter than a snowmobile, weighing just 192 lb with a battery. Like a bike, it is narrow at just 28 in wide and can pass through doorways and be transported on a hitch carrier or in the bed of a truck.

The high-efficiency propulsion system was developed in-house and features less than 200 parts, no chain, and no belt, making the MoonBike extremely quiet with minimal maintenance needs. The direct drive provides 170 N⋅m of torque and has a 26-mph top speed. An optional dual battery doubles the range, with up to a 3-h range using the top PowerPack option.

Starting at $8900, MoonBikes come in three colors and are available in 20 countries and 10 cities in the U.S. They can be purchased via the company’s website, www.moonbikes.com.