Kalk AP now on Duty in Africa

“Electric Bush Bike Anti-Poaching”

The CAKE anti-poaching system, including the specifically engineered Kalk AP off-road bikes and “mobile solar panels-in the field charging power stations”, are now on duty in Africa.

CAKE, the Swedish electric motorbike manufacturer, has successfully delivered the first batch of electric anti-poaching bush bikes to Africa. The quiet and high performance Kalk AP motorbikes were delivered to rangers who are in the process of testing the bikes under the research and development department of the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC). They are now beginning to use the bikes in their quest to increase the efficiency, to combat poaching.

Background

Poaching has had devastating consequences for wildlife in Africa and is one of the primary reasons that some species face the risk of extinction. Anti-poaching teams have used gas-powered dirt bikes for patrolling because they are considered the fastest and most agile vehicles in the bush. However, these bikes are loud and alert poachers from miles away with the sound of their engines. The next big issue is that fuel is being brought to the field by helicopters or trucks which pollute and impact the environment.

CAKE presents a solution

In collaboration with the Southern African Wildlife College, the team at CAKE developed a bike built for the unique challenges of driving in the African bush, and the harsh environments it would encounter. The Kalk AP combines the proven off-road performance ability of the Kalk OR with a lightweight frame, sealed drivetrain, and more robust suspension. And since it’s almost silent it’s easier to move around without alerting poachers. A mobile solar charging station designed and produced by Goal Zero allows rangers to take the bikes deep into bush and operate far from the confines of both the electrical grid as well as traditional fuel supply lines.

“It’s great to see that the first batch of Kalk APs has made it to Africa, ready to change the game when it comes to fighting poaching in the most threatened wildlife areas. With fast, quiet and solar-powered driven bikes, we increase our chances of countering poaching and can truly make an impact in the region. This is only the beginning, we will continue to ship bikes to the SAWC in collaboration to partners they work with to strengthen their anti-poaching work”, says CAKE’s founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn.

Progress

It’s a dynamic progress with the rangers using the bikes, sharing the pros and cons with the SAWC’s research and development department which will facilitate constant improvements and tuning until the bikes are optimized for the specific use.

Even in these early stages when they get acquainted with these new machines, the rangers are praising the Kalk AP for its substantial advantages to the petrol-driven predecessors.

“The petrol bikes we’ve used previously have all been loud, heavy and expensive to keep running in these areas. The CAKE bikes are quiet, which makes it easier for us to approach poachers undetected. We hope this collaboration will result in more effective anti-poaching in our region and we are really excited to start using the bikes in the wild.” says Mfana Xaba, Anti-poaching Team Leader.

More bikes are on their way. Thanks to CAKE’s buy-one-give-one program, the limited-edition charity bundle, more bikes will be donated to help in the field to save more animals from poaching.

Donation program

To further strengthen the anti-poaching work, CAKE has set up a limited-edition charity bundle, offering the first 50 customers the option to buy one Kalk AP at a charity price, while donating another Kalk AP to the Southern African Wildlife College. Included in the donation is the solar-powered charging station and solar cells from Goal Zero.

CAKE will receive notifications and share ongoing achievements of the Kalk AP testing on a regular basis in the newsfeed on the CAKE website. Additionally, CAKE and Goal Zero will donate their profit margins from the sales of the Kalk AP directly to the Southern African Wildlife College and its partners, adding financial firepower to the fight against poaching in conservation areas.

To follow and further support the initiative, a line of garments is being introduced aside the bikes, where 5% of net sales will be reinvested to the SAWC and its partners to accelerate the progress: https://ridecake.com/en/products/ebb-merch/

The Kalk anti-poaching bike

As one of the most powerful bikes in the CAKE catalogue, the Kalk AP is designed specifically for rangers who spend their weeks in the African bush patrolling for poachers and illegal traps. Special features include 18"custom-made off-road tires, a rear carrier to attach arms or medical equipment and fenders made of natural fiber biocomposite material from Trifilon. The bikes are also outfitted with a powerful headlight from Silva for effective nighttime patrolling. Together with the luggage manufacturer DB, CAKE has developed a first aid kit to be transported on the Kalk AP and used in the field to treat injured animals.

For full specifications of the Kalk AP bike, click here.

To read the full story behind the project, please visit: www.ridecake.com/en/antipoaching

about CAKE

CAKE is a Swedish company with a clear mission to inspire towards a zero-emission society, by combining excitement and responsibility in its development of light, quiet, and clean high-performance electric off-road motorcycles. Its first model, the Kalk, debuted at Denver’s OR and Munich’s ISPO shows in January 2018 and has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 and 2020 Red Dot Design Award, IF Design Award, Automotive Brand Contest Award, and “Best in Show” designation by several outdoor industry publications. In 2019, CAKE launched the Kalk&, a street-legal motorcycle as well as Ösa+ and Ösa Lite, a utility platform with an integrated power station and off-road capabilities, which extended their award-winning streak. Kalk INK debuted in March 2020, with the street legal Kalk INK SL entering the line in April 2020. CAKE expanded into the race scene in November 2020, launching the Kalk OR Race and Kalk INK Race. In September 2021, CAKE released a convenient and light city moped, the Makka, expanding the user matrix further.