- Volkswagen licensed e-bike introduces automotive-inspired safety tech. - Rear camera and radar system means riders don’t need to turn heads. - Smart glasses and helmet create fully connected safety ecosystem. Modern cars can watch blind spots, monitor traffic, flash warning lights and even call for help after a crash. Now Volkswagen wants your bicycle to do much of the same thing. Working with premium e-bike specialist n+, Volkswagen has unveiled a new range of licensed electric bicycles loaded with technology usually associated with passenger vehicles. Instead of chasing bigger batteries or more power, the focus here is making riders more aware of their surroundings while helping drivers better understand what cyclists are about to do. Related: VW Cargo E-Bike Punches Above Its Weight With 463-Pound Payload The headline feature is called Smart View. The system combines a rear-facing camera with radar sensors that monitor approaching traffic. A display integrated into the handlebar lets riders see what’s happening behind them without needing to turn around, while radar alerts warn when vehicles are closing in from the rear. It’s tech borrowed directly from the automotive world, where radar and camera-based visibility systems have become increasingly common. Bringing similar functionality to an e-bike makes a lot of sense, especially in crowded urban environments where cyclists and motorists are constantly sharing limited space. DRLs For Bicycles Volkswagen and n+ have also given the bike its own take on automotive lighting technology. A full-length LED strip integrated into the frame serves as a running light during the day. More importantly, it changes behavior depending on what the rider is doing. When braking, the lighting glows red. When turning, it flashes amber to indicate direction. The goal is to give other road users clearer visual cues about a cyclist’s intentions before they make a move.