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An electric motor that can be clipped on to a bicycle could soon be the answer for Londoners put off pedalling by long distances and hills.

Weighing three kilograms and encased in a tough plastic shell, the Michelin-designed motor sits in a bespoke rear rack and has a range of 31 miles.

The tyre giant says the device will open up cycling to thousands of commuters who live in the suburbs, as well as the less able, the elderly — and those who just can’t face pedalling uphill.

The transportable motor can be unlocked in seconds. The first examples — due on sale in the capital next spring — will be complete, ready-made bicycles conceived in partnership with French cycle giant Mobivia, under their Wayscral brand and costing about 1000 (£880).

The retro-fit motors, including the tubular, 200-gram rear aluminium carrier that fits most bikes, will go on sale at 500 (£440) soon afterwards.

It will cost a few pence to fully charge the battery in three hours and Michelin is now looking for London dealers.

The combined battery and drive unit has a grooved pinion that locks into the rim of a new, tailor-made Michelin tyre — meaning there is no loss of power.

It is classed as an “assisted power” unit, so the rider still has to pedal, while benefiting from a boost. Riders will not need licences. The retro-fit kit will include the rear tyre and sensors, mounted near the front chain cog and connected to the motor by a wire, that will detect when the rider momentarily back-pedals, to turn the device on or off.

The Michelin drive unit, unveiled at its Movin’On sustainable mobility show in Canada, produces 250 watts and will propel bicycles at up to 15mph.

It uses a lithium-ion battery and works on bikes with hub or derailleur gears.

Product manager Geoffrey Lepoutre said: “The aim is to open up cycling to those who already have a bicycle, but perhaps they’ve been put off riding to work by feeling they’re not up to riding all the way into town. It’s simple to slot it in and out and lock it in place, in seconds, with the key that we provide.”

Jonathan Lynn, of Herne Hill Cycles, said: “It could make a big difference to those who so far haven’t decided to cycle.”