How CLIP Is Converting the World’s Bicycles Into E-Bikes in Seconds

A young woman wearing a helmet is pictured on a bike in a city block. — **CLIP’s affordable, rechargeable drive motor can be attached to the front fork of any bike to convert it into an e-bike without any additional modifications needed.** — CLIP

Years before CLIP became a globally recognized mobility innovator, CEO Som Ray was already envisioning how a simple, plug-and-play device could create an outsized impact in cities everywhere.

As CLIP’s team studied urban mobility and commuting patterns around the world, they saw the same challenges repeatedly: Most urban trips are short, billions of bicycles are already in circulation, and traditional e-bikes are often expensive and overbuilt for everyday needs. That realization shaped CLIP’s founding mission to electrify the world’s existing 2 billion bicycles rather than manufacture new ones.

As the only brand offering a five-second, zero-tools e-bike conversion solution, CLIP’s ambitious vision has earned it a spot as an Honoree in the 2025 CO—100 Global Stars category.

Reimagining urban mobility through an accessible design

CLIP’s core innovation is a plug-and-play device that instantly transforms any standard bicycle into an e-bike — no tools, installations, or modifications required. The product is a direct response to the disconnect Ray observed between typical e-bike offerings and real-world commuting patterns.

While most e-bike manufacturers compete to deliver bigger batteries and higher prices, CLIP instead focused on what most riders actually need. Ray noted that more than 80% of urban trips worldwide are under six miles, and millions of riders already have access to bicycles but not the budget or infrastructure required for traditional e-bikes.

“From the start, CLIP’s mission has been to make urban commuting cleaner and more accessible not just in one city, but globally,” explained Ray, a mobility designer from MIT.

That focus on accessibility began with a device that weighs only a few pounds, fits in a backpack, and costs a fraction of a standard e-bike.

As CLIP expanded, the team continued refining the product based on rider feedback and real-world use cases. Recently, they introduced a lower-cost version called BOLT, offered at around $250 or through subscription models, that is designed for low-income communities and emerging markets.

From the start, CLIP’s mission has been to make urban commuting cleaner and more accessible not just in one city, but globally. Som Ray, Founder and CEO of CLIP

A global footprint with local roots

CLIP’s global growth didn’t happen through scale solely, but through intentional action. As the company moved from prototype to production, Ray and his team understood that true global impact required being deeply rooted in the places they hoped to serve. That meant building a supply chain aligned with the same values as the product itself: efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility.

Ray spent two months in India establishing CLIP’s production pipeline, working directly with manufacturers to ensure the device could be produced both responsibly and at scale. Today, precision components are made in Coimbatore, final packaging takes place in Kolkata, and assembly happens directly in the markets where CLIP is sold across North America, Europe, and India.

Anchored by a zero-emissions factory and supported by community-based assembly sites, CLIP’s operational model mirrors its mission — global in scope, local in impact. The company’s approach has attracted international partners that share its vision. CLIP is built on the premise that a more sustainable, equitable, and accessible approach to e-bike design, manufacturing, and deployment is possible, whether in the streets of New York City, Paris, or Kolkata.

Building pathways to clean mobility worldwide

As CLIP’s global footprint expanded, so did its business model. In India, the company is partnering with Battery Smart — the country’s largest battery-swapping network — to pilot a $5 monthly subscription for BOLT. This, in turn, makes BOLT accessible in a market with more than 200 million bicycles already in use. A similar subscription program is launching in France with JCDecaux, and CLIP is working with World Bicycle Relief to bring BOLT to communities across Latin America and Africa.

To expand access beyond individual ownership, CLIP’s e-bike library model enables communities to share electric mobility devices with built-in training, local maintenance, and community support. The company will pilot its first library in 2026 across transit deserts in New York City, serving commuters with limited access to low-emissions transportation.

“By continuously aligning our technology with real-world needs, CLIP translates innovative ideas into inclusive, tangible solutions for urban mobility,” Ray said.

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