• Angry Birds Bounce


• Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD+


• Suika Game+


• Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets+

Funding for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is safe — for now. As Mike Albanese explains in the Plano Star Courier, two Texas state bills aimed at removing funding for the transit agency failed, preventing the loss of 5,800 jobs and a 30 percent reduction in service.

One proposed bill, HB 3187, would have returned 25 percent of a sales tax to area cities. That tax now funds 75 percent of DART revenue, so the loss would have been a significant blow to the agency. According to DART Director of Public Relations Jasmyn Carter, the agency is committed to addressing the concerns of member cities who say the agency does not effectively serve their needs. “Moving forward, Carter said the agency will be going through a system modernization program — DART Transform — to address its aging infrastructure, bring in new buses and light rail and many other system improvements.”

• Dallas
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit
• DART
• Public Transit
• Transit Funding

Imagine the ceaseless cacophony of New York City suddenly stopped. No sirens wailed. No cars zoomed. No subways rumbled beneath sidewalks. All eight million New Yorkers disappeared overnight. 

Now, imagine what would happen next. If no one’s around to sweep the sidewalks, weed Central Park, or turn the power grid on, nature would move in—and quick. Dandelions would spring up in asphalt cracks. Raccoons would move into abandoned apartments. Sidewalk trees would outgrow their planters. 

But just how swiftly would the city disappear beneath a curtain of green? We talked to architects and urban ecologists to map out a potential timeline.

With no one to maintain the power grid, the Big Apple would go dark within a few days. The Milky Way would illuminate Midtown as light pollution disappears overnight. Without air conditioning and heat, “you start getting weird temperatures inside the building. Mold starts to form on the walls,” says architect Jana Horvat of the University of Zagreb, who studies building decay. 

Some green energy projects in the city might stay lit for longer, such as the solar and wind-powered Ricoh Americas billboard in Times Square. Eventually, though, even the Ricoh billboard would go dark; not because the billboard would lose power, but because there would be no one to replace its LED lightbulbs. 

Without power, the pump rooms that clear out 13 million gallons of water daily from the subway would be useless, and the train tunnels would begin to flood. “Probably this water would result in [the subway] being, you know, occupied by new species,” says Horvat. “Some plants would start growing, some animals” would move in. Likely, species that already thrive in the subway—rats, cockroaches, pigeons, opossums—would be the first ones to take advantage of the human-free passages. 

Within the first month, the manicured lawns of Central and Prospect Park would grow wild and unkept. “When you stop mowing a lawn, you get a meadow,” says botanist Peter Del Tredici, a senior research scientist emeritus at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, who wrote a book on urban plant life. Within a month, dandelions, ragweed, and yellow nutsedge would start popping up in the now knee-high grasses of New York’s iconic parks. “First, it’s herbaceous plants, but then, you know, you get trees and shrubs and vines,” says Tredici. 

In a year without people, many of New York’s buildings would start to deteriorate. “The glass facades would be the first to go,” says Horvat. The single-pane glass on brownstones and family homes would be the most vulnerable, but in a decade, even the heat-strengthened glass on skyscrapers would start to wear down and crack. And once windows break, water gets in. “Then you’ll have plants start growing in there,” says Tredici. Apartments would transform into humid hothouses, the perfect habitat for mosquitoes, water snakes, fungus, and rushes. “It’s like a wetland on the second floor.”

Without maintenance, the asphalt streets and parking lots in New York would quickly degrade. Freeze-thaw cycles would create cracks. “Water settles in that crack, and then that’s all the plants need,” says Tredici. First, mosses would grow. Within a decade, young trees may even sprout. The London planetree, the most common street tree in New York, is particularly known for its resilience and fast growth rate, and any of its offspring could quickly find a toehold in a deteriorating asphalt parking lot.

Within a decade, the Statue of Liberty would also start to deteriorate. The statue’s copper plating would start to split, allowing sea spray to break down its interior steel skeleton. Steel “is a very durable material, but it is very prone to corroding if it comes in contact with damp conditions,” says Horvat: That’s bad news for New York, a city made from steel. 

In the decades since humans abandoned New York, a “novel ecosystem” would emerge, says Tredici. “It’s not going to look like anything that’s ever existed anywhere in the world.” 

Tredici points to Detroit as a case study. Today, crabapple trees—tough ornamentals native to the Central Asian mountains—blanket Detroit. “They actually will spread all over,” says Tredici, and after 50 years without humans, Central and Riverside Park’s crabapple trees would grow among a young forest full of London planetrees, honeylocusts, pin oaks, and Norway maples (the last three being common New York street trees). Nightshade vines and poison ivy would creep up buildings, and mosses and resilient weeds would cover the higher reaches of exposed windy skyscrapers. 

Among the greenery, more and more animals would call Manhattan home. Deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and wild turkeys would move in. Larger predators—coyotes, bobcats, black bears, and copperhead snakes—would follow. Peregrine falcons, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls would nest in hollowed-out buildings, while feral cats prowl the abandoned upper floors of apartment buildings, feasting on mice and birds.

Despite their futuristic look, the city’s newest spires, such as 10 Hudson Yards and 111 West 57th Street, would be the first to fall. These buildings rely on slender, reinforced steel skeletons encased in reinforced concrete. But when the power shuts off and water seeps in through these buildings’ glass curtain walls, these high-rises would rot from the inside out. 

The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building would likely outlast their younger rivals. Built to support much more weight than necessary (a safety precaution in the early days of skyscrapers), these giants’ steel frames are bolstered by thick masonry and interior walls. Ten Hudson Yards might last a century. The Empire State Building might last 50 years longer, but eventually even these historic titans would collapse.

After a century, New York City would “become a forest,” says Tredici. A canopy of mature trees over a 100-feet-tall would replace the city’s skyscrapers. Soil would regenerate. Concrete, one of the world’s “strongest” construction materials, says Horvat, would dissolve. New York’s carefully manicured river parks, such as the Hudson River and East River Park, would transform into wetlands teeming with eels, egrets, turtles, beavers, and muskrats. 

But even as skyscrapers fell and forests grew, parts of New York would “survive for centuries in this ruinous state,” says Horvat. Cracked marble lions would stalk the forest floor. Soil and underbrush would obscure once-gleaming granite fountains. Rusted steel beams would jut out from dense root systems. Even without humans, pieces of New York would endure—a fragile legacy for the future to either uncover or forget. 

This story is part of Popular Science’s Ask Us Anything series, where we answer your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

The post In a world without people, how fast would NYC fall apart? Here’s the timeline. appeared first on Popular Science.

While the opposing team sat in heavy London traffic that eventually delayed the start of the match, the English men’s cricket team hopped on Lime bike share bikes to arrive at the stadium well before the game’s starting time.

According to an article in The Straits Times, England’s team decided to get off their own bus and rent bikes after traffic light failures and road closures caused major congestion on their route to the stadium. Meanwhile, the West Indies team captain, whose bus remained snarled in traffic for another half hour, commented, “We probably should have walked.”

• London
• bike share
• Bikeshare
• Lime
• Bikes
• Traffic

The Amtrak Borealis line, which runs from St. Paul to Chicago, surpassed ridership expectations during its first year, serving over 200,000 passengers as of April 30 (May numbers are yet to be finalized).

As Tm Harlow reports in The Minnesota Star Tribune, original estimates projected just up to 135,000 annual riders. But the line, which connects the two cities via a 7.5 hour daily trip, has proven much more popular. “In Minnesota, Borealis traffic by station, including total boardings and getting off the train, was 106,581 in St. Paul, 11,336 in Red Wing and 11,372 in Winona, according to Amtrak.”

Another Minnesota Amtrak line, the Empire Builder, also saw a growth in ridership, signaling strong demand for intercity trains in the region. Advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota is pushing for extending the Borealis line to St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes, and the Fargo-Moorhead area, as well as advocating for a Twin Cities-to-Kansas City line that would connect to other national routes.

• Borealis
• Amtrak
• Passenger Rail
• Trains
• St. Paul
• Chicago

In the age of quantum computing, AI everything, and literal rockets landing themselves, it’s kind of wild that sharing a file with a client still feels like an awkward game of “Did you get the link?”

That’s why we’ve been nerding out over Cloudbrand Team Cloud Storage, a white-labeled, cloud-based file-sharing platform with a twist: it doesn’t just store your files—it lets you build a branded, secure data exchange system that feels like it belongs in your digital lab.

Now available for a one-time price of $44.99 (regularly $588), this Dropbox and Brandfolder hybrid offers a full 250GB of lifetime cloud storage, complete with custom branding, secure access controls, and no recurring subscription to siphon away your funds like a slow data leak.

Cloudbrand’s backend runs on Cloudflare’s global infrastructure—a name you’ll recognize if you’re into web security and distributed systems. Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and clients don’t need to create an account to access files. Translation: fewer obstacles and more control over your files.

Each portal (you can build up to 25 of them) can be fully customized with your own logo, colors, and even domain name so they match your brand identity perfectly. Think of it like spinning up 50 secure digital satellites for each client, all orbiting around your brand.

Agencies (established and growing, freelancers, digital nomads, and basically anyone who sends large files and wants to look like they run a data fortress instead of a cluttered desktop.

If you geek out on clean UI, efficient systems, and turning everyday tools into pro-level gear, Cloudbrand is worth a serious look.

Don’t wait too long to act on this limited-time deal. Grab this Cloudbrand 250GB lifetime subscription for just $44.99 while supplies still last.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

_

Cloudbrand Team Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription

See Deal

The post This cloud storage platform lets you launch branded file-sharing portals like mini satellites appeared first on Popular Science.

Last time I posted about a Carhartt T-shirt deal, PopSci readers bought thousands of them. Right now, Amazon has the super-soft Carhartt Force pocket T-shirts even cheaper and in a whole variety of colors. Grab your size and color quickly, as some will likely sell out. Then, use the savings to go pick up an old-school Carhartt work jacket.

Carhartt

Typical Carhartt T-shirts are made of 100 percent cotton, but the Force shirts introduce some polyester into the mix to make them softer and much better at wicking sweat away from your body. That makes this an ideal shirt for wearing under a uniform or just when you’re working up a sweat. Ventilated side panels allow for optimal airflow, which makes a surprisingly huge impact on your body’s ability to chill out. I typically wear a Force T-shirt to the gym and a standard Carhartt T-shirt when I’m walking around.

Each shirt has a pocket on the front as well as a sewn-on Carhartt logo. The material provides UPF 25 protection from the sun, so this is a great option for people who spend a lot of time outside. They’re finished with attention to detail, including flatlock seams to make them look and feel better on your body. This is a fantastic T-shirt that doesn’t go on sale very often.

They’re available in both men’s and women’s sizes.

The link above goes to the black shirt, but here are the color options on sale at the time of publishing:

• Black
• Basil Heather (green)
• Carbon Heather (gray)
• Carhartt Brown
• Engineer Blue Heather
• Forestry Green Heather
• Heather Gray
• Light Huron Heather (blue)
• Malt (beige)
• Navy (blue)
• Ray Flower (yellow)
• Rose Tint (pink)
• Saddle Red Heather
• Sage (green)
• Shaded Beach Heather (tan)

Carhartt

If you’re looking for a sweatshirt to wear all year, the Carhartt Force hoodie is also on sale for 25 percent off. It’s made of 60 percent cotton and 40 percent polyester with a kangaroo pocket up front and another hidden pocket for an electronic device. It has a basic logo on the front, and it comes in sizes up to 4XL with tall options chucked in there for fit. It’s great for chilly summer nights or days in the office when the AC is blasting.

• Carhartt Men’s Force Sun Defender Lightweight Long-Sleeve Logo Graphic T-Shirt $26 (was $35)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Midweight Long-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt $22.49 (was $30)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Sun Defender Lightweight Short-Sleeve Logo Graphic T-Shirt $22.49 (was $30)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Sun Defender Lightweight Long-Sleeve Hooded Logo Graphic T-Shirt $30 (was $40)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt $37.49 (was $50)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short-Sleeve Shirt $33.74 (was $45)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short-Sleeve Pocket Polo $26.25 (was $35)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Midweight Long-Sleeve Logo Graphic Hooded T-Shirt $25.24 (was $35)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Midweight Short-Sleeve Logo Graphic T-Shirt $22.49 (was $30)
• Carhartt Men’s Rain Defender Relaxed Fit Jacket $67.49 (was $90)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Sun Defender Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short-Sleeve Polo $30 (was $40)

• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Utility Pant $45 (was $60)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Cargo Work Short $41.24 (was $55)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Cargo Work Pant $45 (was $60)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Sun Defender Loose Fit Lightweight Work Short $37.49 (was $50)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Sweatpant $45 (was $60)
• Carhartt Men’s 106265 Force® Sun Defender Relaxed Fit Pant $45 (was $60)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Pant $45 (was $60)
• Carhartt Men’s Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Cargo Work Short $37.49 (was $50)
• Carhartt Mens Flame Resistant Force Loose Fit Lightweight Coverall $142 (was $179)

• Carhartt Women’s Force Sun Defender Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve T-Shirt $18.74 (was $25)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Sun Defender Lightweight Long-Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt $27 (was $35)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Sun Defender Lightweight Long-Sleeve Hooded Graphic T-Shirt $30 (was $40)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Relaxed Fit Tank $18.74 (was $25)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Relaxed Fit Midweight Long-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt $22.49 (was $30)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short Sleeve Shirt $33.74 (was $45)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short-Sleeve Pocket Polo $26.24 (was $35)

• Carhartt Women’s Force Fitted Midweight Utility Legging $45 (was $70)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Relaxed Fit Ripstop Work Pant $52.49 (was $70)
• Carhartt Women’s Force Fitted Lightweight Utility Short $37.49 (was $50)

The post Stock up on Carhartt Force T-shirts, shorts, pants, and hoodies with sun protection during this rare Amazon sale appeared first on Popular Science.

The tiny world of microorganisms is full of microbes competing in a major life or death battle. The tiny lifeforms compete for turf, gobble up some pollutants, spew chemicals at their foes, and will exploit terrain in order to get an edge and thrive. New research into this microscopic turf war found that bacteria can speed up by using fluid pockets that are shaped by nearby yeast cells. Hitching a ride with these moisture trails allows the bacteria to spread faster and swim further. The findings are detailed in a study published June 4 in the Cell Press journal Biophysical Journal and reveal a new way that microbes travel through plants, soil, and even our own bodies. 

“When studying microbial interactions, research often focuses on the chemical nature of these interactions,” study co-author and Cornell University microbiome engineer Divakar Badal said in a statement. “But we learned that physical properties also play an important role in how microbes grow and spread.” 

In the study, the team focused on the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. P. aeruginosa is a rod-shaped bacteria found in soil and human airways and has tail-like propellers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, or other parts of the body after surgery.

C. neoformans is a stationary yeast that can be deadly in those with weakened immune systems and lives throughout the world. Infections from this fungus can affect the different parts of the body, but causes lung or brain infections (cryptococcal meningitis) most often. 

The team watched under a microscope as the two species closed in on each other. The P. aeruginosa bacterium eventually swarmed into the puddle-like fluid surrounding the C. neoformans yeast. The bacteria cultured with yeast spread up to 14.5 times faster than when it was cultured alone. Additionally, isolated bacterial colonies quickly connected into continuous clumps. 

At a microscopic scale, P. aeruginosa is comparable to a grain of rice. On that same scale, the yeast is about the size of a grape. These larger yeast bodies draw in moisture from the surface, which forms a thin halo of fluid that acts as a temporary swimming lane. This lane allows the bacteria to bypass the usual physical limits of a dry surface. When the team replaced the live yeast with dead ones or glass beads, the same halo effect was produced, indicating that the puddles were driving it. 

“The bigger the obstacle, yeast and glass beads alike, the more fluid you have around it, and it’s better for Pseudomonas,” added Varsha Singh, a study co-author and molecular biologist at the University of Dundee in Scotland. “So, it’s leveraging what could have been an obstacle to move farther ahead.” 

[ Related: Bacteria wars are raging in soil, and it’s keeping ecosystems healthy. ]

The team also found that the spread of the bacteria ebbs and flows within the landscape that the growing yeast cells create. They built a model to simulate the interactions between both the bacterium and yeast to better understand the dynamics at play. The model indicates that faster-growing yeast species like C. albicans altered the fluid landscape more dramatically, affecting just how quickly bacteria could travel.  

“I was absolutely blown away by how well our model predictions match the experimental results,” said Danny Raj M, a study co-author and engineer at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. “In a sense, the model is a virtual lab that simulates real behaviors. By changing the parameters, from growth rates to humidity, we can answer a number of questions.” 

According to the team, the implications of this research go beyond the model and lab. Bacteria and yeast coexist in plants, soil, water, and the human body. The ability to ride fluid films may be one of the factors that helps bacteria colonize these environments more effectively, especially if moisture is scarce. The team plans to examine the way that both species interact in the real world to learn more. 

“We tend to think of microbiology in an anthropomorphic way, focused on human lungs or the gut because we can relate to them,” said Singh. “But much of it plays out in the soil and other environments. That gives us a wonderful opportunity to explore new questions. I think that’s where the next frontier is.”

The post Watch bacteria ‘hitchhike’ and zoom around appeared first on Popular Science.

A new study from researcher Adam Wingfield sheds light on a concerning statistic in the U.S. trucking industry: roughly 4 percent of truckers operating on American highways don’t have a valid commercial driver’s license.

That number is based on random Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspection data, which collects information from 4 out of every 100 trucks traveling on a highway at any given time. According to an article in Freight Waves, “This issue transcends regulatory oversight, posing a serious threat to all who share the road with these massive vehicles.” The article adds, “Given the weight and risk of these vehicles, ensuring operators are fully trained and licensed is critical for regulators and the industry.”

Other data analyzed by Wingfield shows that more than 56 percent of inspected trucks had some kind of safety violation. “In the first quarter of 2025, trucking recorded 645 fatal crashes.” 

• Trucks
• Trucking
• Road Safety
• Traffic Safety

All sorts of interesting one- and two-wheeled vehicles crisscross the streets of my city, including an increasing number of affordable, portable forms of transportation. Spandex-clad cyclists take advantage of protected lanes, while electric scooters zip over sidewalks (and anywhere else). Occasionally, an odd unicyclist or one-wheeler breaks up the predictability. I particularly like to watch foldable e-bike riders who go from trail to train, transforming their personal transit into a cube to carry through a crowd. These now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t collapsible electric bikes offer power assistance for commuting or errands without taking up valuable real estate in an apartment or townhouse. These flexible options can often fit into an SUV or RV for extended outdoor adventures without the need for a heavy-duty and often expensive rack. We’ve rounded up the most reliable options—like our best overall, the Lectric XP4—so you can find the best folding electric bikes to match your riding style and needs.

• Best overall: Lectric XP4
• Best splurge: Urtopia Carbon Fold 1
• Best cargo: Tern Vektron S10
• Best trike: Lectric XP Trike
• Best value: Ride1Up Portola

I’m still hunting for my spirit bike, like the one in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. In the meantime, I’ve owned and tested many different bikes—electric and not, folding and not—on my commute. I’ve combined this experience with that of the PopSci team and conducted extensive research into expert and customer reviews to select the models on this list. 

An electric folding bike must balance having enough oomph to make it to work and back, while being easier to store and transport than a full-sized e-bike. Collapsible models tend to have shorter wheelbases, lower standover heights, and an upright riding position so you can see clearly in traffic or on crowded paths. Wheels are usually 16 to 20 inches in diameter, which results in feeling more of the bumps and cracks of the road. Skinny tires will be faster rolling and lighter, but high-volume, wider tires can help absorb the road chatter. In general, folding electric bikes for adults tend to be rougher than other cycles.

If you ride other bikes a lot, folding e-bikes take some getting used to (as do all ebikes, but we can help with that). Petite riders may feel more in control of their more diminutive stature, while taller riders may feel like a clown on a minibike. The sharper turning radius is ultimately a win. Still, it can feel squirrely at first if you’re used to broader, more stable handlebars, and sometimes the gearing can make it feel like you’re pedaling furiously but getting nowhere. Get a few miles under your belt, however, and you’ll find a new rhythm. 

To help you find the right foldable e-bike, prioritize which features are must-haves by thinking about where you want to ride it, how far you’d like to go, what accessories you might want to carry, and how small the bike needs to be for storage. With that knowledge, you’re ready to find your best folding e-bike from our top picks. 

Lectric

• Front oil suspension fork
• Rear rack that can hold up to 150 pounds
• Five levels of pedal assist plus throttle
• Front and rear 602 hydraulic brakes
• Integrated headlights and rear lights
• Front and rear fenders
• Removable battery
• External charging port
• Slime-lined tires to prevent flats
• Multiple mounting points for additional accessories
• 1-year warranty

• Long-range battery available for extra
• Well-organized, but external wires and cords
• Nothing to secure the bike when folded

• Unfolded bike: 66 inches long by 18.5 inches wide by 45 inches tall
• Folded bike: 37 inches by 17 inches wide by 29 inches tall
• Motor: 500W hub motor with 55Nm of torque (750W option available)
• Battery: 672Wh lithium-ion
• Riding range: Up to 50 miles using pedal assist or up to 20 using throttle only (Long-range 85-mile version available)
• Class: 1, 2, or 3
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Bike weight: 62 pounds without battery (7 lbs.)
• Carrying capacity: 330 pounds (combining rider and passenger/cargo)

Lectric is one of the OGs of foldable electric bikes, so much so that when I was riding one around town I’d nearly always get a shout or recognition from another Lectric rider. They’d chat with me at a stop or ride alongside me for a bit, and I can honestly say it’s never happened to me on another brand of e-bike. The Lectric XP4 finetunes what it’s learned from previous models for an affordable and fun ride with five pedal assist levels and a thumb throttle. Lectric added more juice to the 500W motor, which can peak at 1,092W and kick out 55Nm of torque.

The tires are fat-tire lite—20 by 3 inches with custom tread—which makes for a more cushioned ride with the front suspension fork. The improved Shimano Altus gearing and an in-house-designed torque sensor mean less furious pedaling than other models to get up to top speeds. Lectric lists the standard step-over at $1,300 (there are also step-thru and long-range variations), but you can often find it on sale for a grand—and yet, it still has hydraulic brakes, which are a rarity at this price point. The XP4 also comes stock with many nice commuter extras, like integrated lights, front and rear fenders, and a monster rear rack that can hold up to 150 pounds. Lectric offers a ton of accessories, including a passenger seat for light riders (e.g., kids). It now features a TFT LCD color display with a USB-C charging port.

For most people, the Lectric will meet their folding e-bike needs, but it’s not perfect. Lectric, more than many brands, makes you well aware of cords. While the wiring up front is well-organized, nothing is internally threaded. It folds at two points—at mid-frame and the handlebars—and it frankly takes some practice to align pedals, handlebars, and wheels just right. You’ll also need a bungee cord (or something similar) to keep everything nice and tight if you want to move the bike while folded (see below). But it does get small enough to go into a typical car trunk—not a Miata, let’s not get crazy. It is, however, a heavy 62 pounds (69 unless you scrap the battery).

Tony Ware

• Carbon fiber frame means exceptionally lightweight
• No assembly required
• Colorful, crisp display
• Short wheelbase means nimble handling
• Nice large chainring means it doesn’t feel like you’re peddling furiously
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Integrated headlight/tailight
• Front and rear fenders
• Removable battery clearly placed in seat post
• Very fast two-step fold, with magnetic fasteners to keep things compact during transport
• Latches feel rigid and secure when in play

• Carbon fiber isn’t cheap
• Max range may be more optimistic than realistic
• Carbon fiber absorbs a fair amount of road, but it can’t replace the comfort of actual suspension

• Folded bike: 800 mm x 680mm
• Motor: 500W peak rear hub motor w/ 42Nm torque
• Battery: 252Wh lithium-ion
• Riding range: Up to 40 miles
• Class: 2
• Top speed: 20 mph
• Bike weight: 29 pounds
• Maximum rider weight: 220 pounds

The Urtopia Carbon Fold 1 is a shockingly delightful but diminutive Shimano Altus 8-speed commuter that folds up fast and rides even faster. Thanks to its brightly painted carbon fiber frame and fork (the company’s signature material, Saffron Yellow colorway shown above), this bike weighs just 29 pounds. That makes it light enough to toss into small car trunks or an RV for road trips, camping, or other overlanding adventures. And makes it a dream if you live in a multi-story walkup and/or need to factor subway rides into your commute. Despite its compact build (which arrives fully assembled), it can support riders from 5’1’’ to 6’1’’ and up to 220 pounds in total weight, though taller or long-legged riders may feel somewhat cramped. 

Little details make a big difference: Built-in magnets keep the bike securely folded while you move it around—no awkward flopping. Heavy-duty latches lock it back into riding position. Cable management is clean. A central cutout serves as a handle and place to thread your chain so no one can fold the bike off its lock. 

Out on the road, the 500W peak rear hub motor and 42Nm of torque provide quick, zippy acceleration, allowing you to reach speeds of up to 20mph. Its low standover height makes it super-easy for frequent stopping and standing during city rides. It also has a short wheelbase, making it excessively nimble—great for dodging cars illegally parked in the bike lane and weaving through potholes, cones, or people staring at their phones. Plus, the TEKTRO hydraulic disc brakes are responsive. It’s surprisingly fun for something whose main function is to be practical. 

The 252Wh battery is cleverly hidden in the seat post (which can be fully removed for charging/storing … or to deter thieves, because a bike with no seat is just an extremely inconvenient scooter). It powers the motor, but also the color screen and integrated headlight/tailight. It feels like it’s designed for several short jaunts rather than significant mileage, however, as the published 40-mile range seems optimistic, especially on assist levels above Eco (Touring mode felt closer to the 20s). 

My version two wishlist includes a more sensitive torque sensor and a bigger battery, but for anyone short on space—or anyone who wants a travel bike without messing with a rack—the Carbon Fold is a blast. The Carbon Fold 1’s recommended retail price is $2,500, but it has been consistently on sale for $1,600. 

• Five levels of pedal assist with shift optimization
• Magura MT4 hydraulic disc brakes
• 10-speed Shimano Deore drive train
• Integrated headlights and rear lights
• Front and rear fenders
• Atlas V Rack on the rear that holds up to 60 pounds and accepts Thule Yepp Maxi and Dash RM child seats without adapters
• Chain guard stay
• Grip pad under saddle to use as a handle for shoulder carrying
• Removable battery

• Single-side kickstand
• Overall capacity weight is low for the format

• Folded bike: 33.7 inches long by 15.7 inches wide by 26.6 inches tall
• Motor: 250W Bosch Performance Drive Unit with 65Nm torque
• Battery: 400Wh Bosch PowerPack
• Riding range: Up to 63 miles
• Class: 1
• Top speed: 20 mph
• Bike weight: 48.6 pounds
• Carrying capacity: 275.6 pounds

The Tern Vektron S10 is a foldable e-bike for adults who aim to use it for most of their transportation needs, including shuttling kids around and hauling groceries. It’s also a folding bike that feels nearly as stiff as a non-folding model, thanks to the advanced welding techniques, gussets for the OCL+ frame joint, and custom forks. A telescoping seat post allows the frame to fit riders from 4’10” to 6’5”. 

Tern has a long history of making cargo bicycles that handle being loaded down well, and the Vektron S10 is no exception. The robust Atlas V Rack can hold up to 60 pounds, whether that’s groceries in some of Tern’s accessories or a child seat made by Thule or Dash. A Bosch Performance Drive Unit and 400Wh Bosch PowerPack, a pair renowned for high performance and quiet operation, power this cargo hauler. Other name-brand parts, like a 10-speed Shimano drivetrain and Magura hydraulic brakes, help account for the price tag of about $3,300. Make no mistake: The Vektron S10 expects to replace a car. Practically speaking, the overall carrying capacity for the bike is a little low at 275 pounds.

Despite being a cargo bike, the Vektron is a portable electric bike when you drop the seat post, fold the mid-point in the frame, and then the handlebars. At 50 pounds, it’s not the lightest but not the heaviest. Most Terns also have another advantage for storage: They can be tipped on the rack end to be stored vertically. 

• Three wheels expand the potential rider base
• Differential axle for smooth turning
• Five levels of pedal assist plus throttle
• Front and rear hydraulic brakes
• Two parking brakes
• Integrated headlights, rear lights, and brake lights
• Front and rear fenders
• A ton of additional accessories
• Removable battery
• External charging port
• 1-year warranty

• Three wheels mean wider turning radius
• Added accessories usually need to be removed before folding
• Ships with beginner mode, which limits the speed

• Unfolded bike: 63.5 inches long by 30.5 inches wide by 43 inches tall
• Folded bike: 38.5 inches by 30.5 inches wide by 30 inches tall
• Motor: 500W rear hub motor on the differential axle, 65Nm or torque
• Battery: 672Wh lithium-ion
• Riding range: Up to 60 miles using pedal assist or up to 55 using throttle only
• Class: 2
• Top speed: 14 mph
• Bike weight: 69.5 pounds
• Carrying capacity: 415 pounds

The Lectric XP Trike packs a ton of higher-end features into an electric tricycle that makes cycling more accessible. With a suggested retail of about $1,500, this Class 2 trike offers five levels of pedal assist and has a throttle to help with starts or offer breaks from pedaling. Lectric ships the trike in a beginner mode that slows acceleration and limits the top speed to 5 mph. This mode prevents people who haven’t been riding electric vehicles from jumping forward or going faster than they’re ready. Higher speeds can be unlocked, but this trike isn’t a speed demon. Top speed is 14 mph.

Let’s talk about the tricycle format. First, it has an incredibly low standover height of less than 14 inches, making it super easy to hop on and off. Lectric packed a 500W engine into the rear differential axle, which lets each rear wheel turn independently for smoother turning and enough torque to chug up big hills. All trikes can tip, though; expect to take turns slower and leave more room for stopping until you get used to the handling. The XP Trike also boasts hydraulic front and rear bikes, a surprisingly high-end feature for the price point.

And yes, this bad boy folds. However, it will take a few minutes and require removing most additional accessories. Considering that this is a trike, the 69.5 pounds is light for the form. Removing the battery will shave about seven pounds off. Folded up, the trike can fit in the back of minivans or SUVs, though smaller hatchbacks may need some extra finagling. The XP Trike accommodates riders from 4’10” to 6’4” who weigh up to 330 pounds. Plus, the bike can still haul another 85 pounds of cargo. Lectric also offers a ton of add-ons, like a seat with back support, suspension seat stems, and baskets. 

• Five pedal assist modes plus throttle
• Front suspension fork
• Dual-piston hydraulic brakes
• Front and back fenders
• Rear rack holds up to 130 pounds
• Integrated front and rear bikes
• Folding pedals
• Chainguard stay
• Short velcro strap to hold the bike together when folded
• 1-year warranty

• Long-range battery available for extra
• Well-organized, but external wires and cords
• Taller riders may find leg extension lacking

• Unfolded bike: 66.2 inches long by 19 inches wide by 44.4 inches tall
• Folded bike: 33 inches long by 19 inches wide by 29.5 inches tall
• Motor: 750W geared hub motor with 65Nm torque
• Battery: 500Wh
• Riding range: Up to 40 miles
• Class: Switchable to 1, 2 or 3
• Top speed: 28 mph
• Bike weight: 59 pounds
• Carrying capacity: 300 pounds

The Ride1Up Portola has a big ol’ motor—750W, the largest of this roundup. It also features a front suspension fork, 8-speed drivetrain, hydraulic brakes, and a muscular welded rear rack that can hold up to 130 pounds. These details are surprising to find on a folding e-bike and downright shocking to find on one that costs less than a grand.

The Portola offers a lot to like, especially at the price point. Sturdy 20-inch by 3-inch tires and a front suspension fork work together to keep the rider relatively comfortable. There’s only one frame size, which Ride1Up calls “one size fits most,” or in this case, means riders from 4’10” to 6’4”—though taller riders or long-legged ones note they’d like a little more extension when they pedal. 

The Portola initially starts with a 10.4Ah battery, but an upgrade to 13.4Ah is only $100 more. With five pedal-assist levels and a throttle, you might want the extra juice. The range is up to 40—or 45 with the larger battery. The e-bike also can be switched between Class 1, 2, or 3, depending on whether you want to limit or unleash a potential top speed of 28 mph. And here’s one very simple but very nice touch that many folding bike makers overlook: The Portola has a small velcro strap to secure the bike when it’s folded. It takes some fussing to get the wheels and handlebars just right, but folding bike owners frequently add their own bungees or straps because nothing was included. 

Usually, a search for an e-bike begins with sticker shock, especially if you don’t ride other bicycles. You can find budget electric bikes under $1,000, though models quickly get into the multiple thousands. Expect to find more powerful motors with more torque, larger batteries, and frames made of higher-quality, often lighter-weight materials as the price climbs. They’re like cars: You can find a reasonably priced, reliable model or spend serious bucks on high-end components, luxury features, and eye-grabbing designs. While the options may be daunting, there is a model out there to suit your tastes and budget, whether you’re looking for the best electric commuter bike or the best fat tire electric bike. 

It’s also worth checking whether your state offers tax credits or rebates for e-bikes to encourage adoption.

E-bikes occupy a weird space in transportation between traditional, aka “acoustic,” bicycles and mopeds. For the most part, electric bicycle owners need to wear helmets, but they don’t need special licenses, insurance, or vehicle registration. Most states recognize three different e-bike classes to help determine the literal rules of the road. Here’s the quick version: 

• Class 1: a pedal-assist system motor that stops assistance at 20 mph.
• Class 2: a throttle motor that stops assistance at 20 mph.
• Class 3: a pedal-assist system motor that stops assistance at 28 mph. 
• Some manufacturers blend these classes or ship a Class 1 that can be turned into a Class 3 with some tinkering.

Look into your state’s rules or check this guide for where and how you can operate your class e-bike. Sometimes, trails or specific parks prohibit certain bike classes. Around my city, various counties and neighborhoods put signs along popular bike paths to encourage slow speeds and trail sharing.

A great e-bike makes riding feel effortless, even when climbing a steep hill. Motors help riders go farther and faster through a pedal-assist system (PAS) or a throttle. A PAS e-bike can supply different levels of support using controls on the handlebars and sensors that detect how fast or hard you’re pedaling. Throttle systems deliver a quick burst of power without pedaling, more akin to a scooter or moped. Some bikes have both features.

But what makes for a good motor? Look for a combination of watts and torque. Watts indicate the motor output, while torque is the acceleration or climbing force. Higher watts and higher torque usually equal higher performance, but some manufacturers have unique tuning that eeks more torque out of lower output motors. Whether you need that is another matter. Flat commutes on paved surfaces don’t need high torque. Very fit riders might not need the power. Consider your fitness, the terrain of most rides, and how long those rides will be. 

The good news about an e-bike with a dead battery is that you can pedal. Still, most people don’t want to run out of battery. Published ranges are suggestions based on optimal riding conditions. How long the battery lasts relies on dozens of factors: rider and cargo weight, whether the route has hills, and how much assistance the motor provides. More help—or a lot of throttling—drains the battery faster. Commutes are easy to plan for; the distance doesn’t change. Freeform or unplanned rides can be dicier. A good rule of thumb is to plan trips well under the top end of the published riding range and charge the battery for every ride. 

Some models have removable batteries that allow for swapping a dead one out for another or extended-capacity versions to lengthen ride time. Generally, bigger batteries are heavier but provide greater peace of mind.

E-bikes—folding or not—can be a more earth-friendly way of handling errands and regular commutes than driving a gas-powered car. That said, e-bikes typically cost more than their unpowered counterparts (though those can get quite premium, as well). E-bikes also need to be recharged, so be sure you have a space with a convenient charging port or find a model with a removable battery. Eventually, batteries will degrade and need to be replaced. Like all bikes, they will need regular maintenance. While any bike shop can service many models, some have proprietary parts that may be hard to get. 

An electric folding bike has a few additional things to consider. All moving parts wear with use and repetition, including the folding frame of a collapsible electric bike and the bolts or clips that secure it. 

Check the model’s published range and know that the top-line number may be purely aspirational. How long a battery lasts depends on your weight, your cargo’s weight, the assist level being used, and the terrain. If you’re riding on flat land with no pedal assistance, that battery will last a good long while. However, using the highest assist level while going exclusively uphill into a headwind … well, expect the lowest end of that published range. 

People used to traditional or full-sized bikes may find riding folding models inherently less comfortable. Foldable models often have upright riding positions and some comfort features, but the smaller wheels and general lack of suspension mean you feel every crack, root, and bump. 

We’ve seen electric bikes weigh anywhere from just shy of 30 pounds to 90 pounds. Folding e-bikes are in the same ballpark, though you’ll find fewer of those 90-pounders. Sixty pounds is 60 pounds, but even unfolded, a folding e-bike’s smaller wheels and shorter wheelbase are easier to maneuver than most traditional bicycles or e-bikes. Folded, you don’t have to deal with balancing the weight or handlebars turning inconveniently. 

• Best overall: Lectric XP4
• Best splurge: Urtopia Carbon Fold 1
• Best cargo: Tern Vektron S10
• Best trike: Lectric XP Trike
• Best value: Ride1Up Portola

Folding electric bikes are a funny sort of transportation. They’re purpose-built to be easy to transport or store, which may mean some compromises in riding comfort. However, this category of bikes has come a long way, incorporating fatter tires, more suspension systems, and hydraulic brakes for superior stopping power and more options than ever before. Find the model that fits—literally—into your apartment, car, or commute, and enjoy the ride. 

The post The best folding electric bikes for 2025 appeared first on Popular Science.

What’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci’s hit podcast. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.

By Rachel Feltman

Dating back to at least the 1st century in various parts of the world, people have used birch bark as a writing surface. It’s soft and easy to scratch into with a stylus, and of course it’s easy to peel off the tree. 

In parts of Russia, there are so many old manuscripts preserved on birch bark that there’s basically a field of study devoted to them. As of 2018, archaeologists had found 1,222 specimens in Russia, and 1,113 of them were from a Medieval town called Novgorod. There’s very heavy, waterlogged clay soil there that probably protected the birch bark from oxygen and decay, but it also seems like it was an especially literate place for the time period. While some of these notes use Church Slavonic, most of them are written in a vernacular dialect and many recount personal matters and everyday happenings 

Less than 3 percent of the Medieval settlement has actually been excavated systematically. Some estimates suggest that more than 20,000 additional notes are waiting to be discovered. 

But the most famous of these birch bark writings come from a single prolific artist who lived there in the 13th century. He drew epic battle scenes and mythical creatures and even rather abstract works. His name was Onfim, and he was a 7-year-old boy. 

Onfim’s birch bark scraps show signs of schoolwork, with psalms and cyrillic alphabet exercises written out on many of them. But they also show doodles that are charmingly recognizable as the work of a bored kid at school. To learn more about Onfim’s adventures (and doodles), listen to this week’s episode of The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week. And if you’re interested in more charming historical scribbles, check out this repository of ancient graffiti. 

By Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian

I didn’t actually learn about eels for the first time this week—I’ve been obsessed with them for years. Back when I was teaching in the Hudson Valley, I used to take my students to help catch and count baby eels as they migrated upriver from the Sargasso Sea. 

These tiny, translucent fish are glassy and delicate, with eyes and spines you can see straight through—and yet they’ve already traveled thousands of miles. 

Eels are mysterious in almost every way: we still don’t fully understand how they navigate, how they reproduce, or why they live for decades in freshwater before transforming into long, lean, sex-obsessed creatures that return to the sea to die. 

On this week’s episode I talk about eels’ intersex biology, their magnetic sense of direction, and even the strange detour that eel anatomy took through the hands of Sigmund Freud. This story, for me, is not just about eels—it’s also about what their biology tells us about queerness, evolution, and the history of science itself. For more of this kind of natural history, check out my new book “Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature.”

By Sara Kiley Watson

Lightning strikes millions of trees every year, and for most of them, the outcome is grim: exploded trunks, scorched roots, or a slow, quiet death from internal damage. So when I heard about a tropical tree that not only survives lightning but actually benefits from it, I had to dig in.

This story takes us into the dense forests of Panama, where the towering tonka bean tree—Dipteryx oleifera—has evolved to attract lightning strikes and come out stronger after being zapped. These trees are unusually tall, with wide crowns that seem designed to draw bolts from the sky. When lightning hits, they shed pests. They also outlive their similarly-stricken neighbors, which allows them to claim more sunlight for themselves. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about lightning and forest ecology…and hints at how climate change could shift that balance even more.

The post A 13th-century schoolboy’s doodles show that kids have always been like that  appeared first on Popular Science.

Jealous of your family and friends with Costco memberships? Now you can join them. If you’ve never had a Costco Gold Star Membership (or had one that expired at least 18 months ago), you can get a Costco One-Year Gold Star Membership and a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* for only $65.

Visit any of over 500 Costco warehouses across the U.S. and find out why it’s worth it to shop at Costco. Once you’re in the door, look around for a wide range of bulk goods, quality groceries, clothing, jewelry, and so much more. Don’t forget to stop by Costco’s legendary food court for a range of tasty treats, including their legendary $1.50 hot dog meal.

The $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* can be used online and at these warehouses. Better yet, anyone over 18 who lives at the same address as the Primary Member can also get a free Household Card.

You aren’t limited to just shopping for Costco warehouse merchandise. You can also fill up your vehicles with bargain-priced gas at Costco Gas Stations, use Costco Travel, and Costco Business Centers. You may even be able to reduce your medical expenses with access to Costco Hearing Aid Centers, Costco Pharmacies, and Costco Optical**.

Here’s your chance to get a Costco One-Year Gold Star Membership and a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $65.

StackSocial prices subject to change

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Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + $20 Digital Costco Shop Card*

See Deal

*To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address and set up auto-renewal of your Costco membership on a Visa® card at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to enroll in auto-renewal at the time of sign-up, incentives will not be emailed.

Valid only for new members and those whose memberships (Primary and Household) have expired at least 18 months or more. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Not valid for renewal or upgrade of an existing membership. Promotion may not be combined with any other promotion. Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up within 2 weeks to qualifying members. Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Costco is not liable for incentives not received due to entry of an invalid address during sign-up. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at U.S. or Canada Food Court. Neither Costco Wholesale Corporation nor its affiliates are responsible for use of the card without your permission. Use the provided single-use promo code when entering your payment information. A Costco Gold Star Membership is $65 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $65 upgrade fee a year. Each membership includes one free Household Card. May be subject to sales tax. Costco accepts all Visa cards, as well as cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Departments and product selection may vary. (Note: You will see a $0.01 deduction on your membership cost after the promo code is entered. This indicates that your promo code has been successfully applied.)

**Services are provided to Costco members by third parties.

The post This $65 Costco Gold Star Membership comes with a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* appeared first on Popular Science.