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A typical electric bike starts at $1,000and can top $10,000 or more. Even a cheap, low-quality model might cost $500. But a new attachment is designed to turn any bike into an e-bike for as little as $100. Clip, a Brooklyn-based startup, initially launched a higher-end version of the tech a few years ago, focused on commuters in the U.S. and Europe. Somnath Ray, one of the companys cofounders, had started riding his bike a couple of miles each day to work, and realized that switching to an e-bike would make him more likely to keep up the habit. But it wasnt safe to leave an expensive e-bike parked on the street. He also didnt want to get rid of the bicycle he already owned. The idea was: What if we could have something we could attach to the bike without any tools, within seconds? he says. When you get to work, youd carry the attachment inside. On the weekends, you could leave it off and ride your bike without it. [Photo: Clip] The Clip, with versions that now cost $499 and $599, is cheaper than most electric bikes. But the company wanted to make another option that was even more affordable. The new tech, called the Bolt, is aimed at global markets including India and consumers who otherwise likely couldn’t buy an e-bike. We want to make it really affordable for people who essentially use the bicycle as a lifeline, says Ray. Both Clip and Bolt use the same basic architecture: a friction-drive motor that attaches to the front wheel of a bike, with a roller that pushes the wheel to help boost your speed up hills or around cars. Pushing a button attached to your handlebars activates the extra power. But while Clip is designed to quickly go on and come off, Bolt stays in place. Only Bolts battery gets lifted out so it can be taken inside to charge (the battery charges within 30 minutes, and has a range of around 18 miles, depending on how often you push the button as you ride; if you need to go farther, you can carry an extra battery). In pilots, the company is now testing the system in cities like Bangalore and Kolkata. Consumers pay $100, around 8,000 rupees, which is about a third of the price of a typical e-bike in India. The battery is available via a subscription of $5 a month, so that consumers don’t have to pay for the cost of an expensive battery upfront. The startup will also sell the equipment to rideshare operators in the U.S. and Europe who want to upgrade their bikes, but dont have the budget to buy a new fleet of electric bikes. (They’ll pay $250 for each system, including the battery.) At a later point, it’s likely to also be available directly to U.S. consumers. Making the attachments, as opposed to complete electric bikes, is also better for the environment, since it takes fewer resources. The company is manufacturing the Bolt in a zero-emissions factory in Kolkata, with local assembly in India, Europe, and the U.S. It will also recycle and recondition batteries. There are already a billion bikes out in the world, says Ray. There’s absolutely no need to replace them all with e-bikes. We can put them all back into circulation at a fairly minimal manufacturing footprint.
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E-Commerce
Music is everywhereplaying in coffee shops, on hold lines, in Ubers, behind YouTube ads, and of course, in your earbuds while you work. Its so constant, we often treat it like harmless background noise. But the brain doesnt. Whether we realize it or not, music is processed across multiple brain regions tied to attention, memory, and emotionmeaning even passive listening can impact how we focus, feel, and make decisions. Background music is never truly in the background. It either supports or competes with your mental state. And that means we have a choice. In todays fast-paced work culture, where multitasking is the norm and focus is scarce, how we use music can either support or sabotage our goals. The good news? With just a little intention, your playlist can become one of the most powerful productivity tools you already have. Think about how youre listening to music Music is one of the most overlooked productivity tools. The key isnt whether you listen to music, its how. Theres a difference between active listening and what we call purposeful passive listening. Both are powerful, but for different reasons. Active listening is fully engaging with the musictuning into the melody, rhythm, harmony, or lyrics. Its nearly impossible to multitask during this kind of listening, and thats the point. Use active listening when you need to regulate stress, reset emotionally, or refocus. Breathing with a steady beat, or allowing a favorite instrumental piece to quiet your inner noise, can activate the brains attention and emotional regulation systems. Over time, practicing this kind of deep listening can even strengthen interpersonal relationships, as it helps reinforce our capacity to tune in to others. Purposeful passive listening, on the other hand, involves choosing music to support a task or shift your mental state, without fully focusing on it. This is not about letting an algorithm autoplay. Its about intentionally selecting tracks: maybe lo-fi beats while cleaning out your inbox, or ambient strings while brainstorming. This kind of listening taps into the brains default mode network, the system that activates during daydreaming, introspection, and idea incubation. Engaging the default mode network can help you step back from focused work and allow space for insight, creativity, and big-picture thinking. Music, when used intentionally in the background, becomes a bridge between tasks and a subtle support system for imaginative work. Turn music into a mental habit Music also plays a surprising role in executive functionthe cognitive control system that helps us switch between tasks, regulate impulses, and manage working memory. Background music can enhance learning outcomes by improving arousal and mood, which are closely linked to cognitive performance. Listening to familiar, patterned music while working can help create structure for the brain, making transitions smoother and sustained attention more accessible. Its why some people instinctively reach for a playlist before writing an email, prepping for a meeting, or transitioning into a different type of work block. And it goes deeper. Have a go-to song that gives you a burst of energy? Dont just save it for the gym. Drop it into the middle of your workday, right before a presentation, during an afternoon slump, or when motivation dips. When you use the same song consistently with a particular task, your brain starts building an association. Over time, the music becomes a cue, like a mental shortcut into a focused or energized state. Maybe its We Will Rock You before a big pitch, or River Flows in You for concentration. Music activates the brains reward system, releasing dopamine, the same neurotransmitter associated with motivation and pleasure. The more consistently we attach meaning to a song, the more powerful its effect becomes. Use music enough, and your brain doesnt just hear the notes, it knows what to do next. Sound can be a strategy Music isnt just something we hear; its something that actively shapes our brain states. When used with intention, sound becomes a strategy: for focus, for recovery, for creativity, or for connection. In a world full of noise, its not about turning the music off. Its about tuning in. How to use music more intentionally at work Create a 3-track playlist: one for focus, one for a reset, one to energize. Pair a consistent song with a task you want to build into habit, like writing, prepping, or unwinding. Avoid music with lyrics when doing language-based tasks like writing or reading. Use instrumental or ambient music to transition between meetings or block your day. Try bookending your work day with music. Use the same track to start and end, and signal your brain into a productive rhythm. With just a little intention, your daily soundtrack can become one of the most effective tools for doing better workand feeling better while doing it.
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E-Commerce
Spring showers might bring flowers, but they can be a real hassle when you’re trying to look presentable at the office. Many of the best raincoats are made by outdoor brands, which tend to focus on utility rather than aesthetics. But a rugged jacket that is perfect for hiking through the rain can really ruin a professional look. When you’re headed to work, what you need is a jacket that is sleek and minimal, inspired by a traditional silhouette, like a trench coat or a car coat, but made from high-tech waterproof or water repellent materials. And ideally, you can find one that is so elegant that you want to reach for it throughout the spring and fall, even when the forecast is clear. Fortunately, there are many beautiful rain jackets that fit this description that match many styles and price points. Here are some of our favorites. Best Performance Canada Goose: Cardero Rain Jacket, $895 If you’re looking for complete rain protection, the Cardero jacket offers 100% waterproofing, thanks to its fabric and seam-sealed construction. It features three layers of material to keep you warm (It is perfect for spring days when the temperatures hover around 30 degrees Fahrenheit.) But it is not bulky. It has a sleek, contoured silhouette, thanks to a drawcord on the interior that cinches your waist. The large hood will keep your face dry (and makeup from running) through even the stormiest weather. Most Effortlessly Chic Sezane: Hugo Parka, $365 The French label Sezane has developed a parka designed to fit perfectly with its vintage-inspired, effortless Parisian aesthetic. What makes this jacket sing is all the little details: the large buttons, the wide sleeves that can be rolled up and attached, the oversize hood. It is made from a breathable organic cotton, with a water-resistant finish so it will keep you dry in most conditions. (You may want to wait out the torrential downpour, however.) That said, it is so fetching that you’ll want to wear it throughout the spring and fall. Best For Travel Stutterheim: Mosebacke Lightweight Raincoat, $270 Swedish label Stutterheim specializes in raincoats, so it knows what it’s doing. The Mosebacke epitomizes Scandinavian style, with its a-line shape and oversized hood. It is designed to make it easy to move: The eyelets under the arms create ventilation and the drawstring on the hood ensures it stays on when it’s very wet outside. It is thin, which makes it easy to pack for unpredictable weather as well as for traveling. Best Value Everlane: The Anorak, $178 If you want a rain jacket that will get the job done without breaking the bank, we suggest Everlane’s anorak. Made of a lightweight fabric blend of organic cotton and recycled nylon, it is treated with a water-resistant finish. It has a large hood that is both practical and a nice design element. In keeping with the brand’s pared-down aesthetic, it features clean lines without any unnecessary details. For those who need a slightly more casual jacket to wear to work, this is a good pick. Best in Class Mackage: Winn 2-in-1 Classic Trench Coat, $1,190 For a classic trench style that will keep you both warm and dry, Mackage has you covered. The Canadian brand has developed a flattering, tailored coat that is full of versatile features. It has a removable inner liner that adds warmth, so you can wear it through the colder months of the spring and fall, when the weather falls to below freezing. (This liner is also washable.) The exterior fabric is water-repellent and features a rain shedder feature that wicks water away from your body. But apart from its functionality, it is just a beautiful coat with plenty of chic details that make it stand out: buttoned shoulder tabs, a statement belt, adjustable cuffs and buttoned throat latch. While this jacket is on the pricier end of our list, it is good value because you can wear it year-round.
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E-Commerce
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