Di Blasi Industriale
Encyclopedia
Di Blasi Industriale is an Italian
manufacturer of folding bicycle
s, tricycle
s, and moped
s, based in Francofonte
, Sicily
. The company's products are suitable for being transported by car, boat, or airplane, and are designed and manufactured entirely in-house.
in 1952, which by 1968 had evolved into a Zanetti-powered folding tricycle called the DIBLA 7 that was shown at the Turin Auto Show
as a prototype. Finally in 1974 Di Blasi began production of a folding moped with a Franco Morini motor and single-speed transmission called the R2 (also known as the "Paperino"). In 1979 the model R7 replaced the R2 and featured an engine of Di Blasi's own design as well as a multi-speed transmission. This moped has been continuously improved and is still in production as the R7E. It has been used by the Polizia Stradale
, the Traffic Police division of the Italian National Police
, aboard their helicopters. The R7 is sold by Di Blasi of America as the "Express." It is also used worldwide by a number of different "chauffeur" companies, who will drive it to meet the customer, fold it up and put it in the trunk of their car, and drive the customer wherever they need to go, such as home from a bar or party. One such company, Superbob, serves part of the Netherlands. In the southern US, Zingo Transportation
provides this service. In Australia the Di Blasi R7 has been imported, sold and run as part of their designated chauffeur service by Scoot2you Personal Chauffeurs originally on the Gold Coast and then in Brisbane and Melbourne and shortly in Sydney as part of their growing Franchise.
Also in 1974, the company introduced a folding bicycle called the Avia. The model Avia is notable for having featured the first folding pedals ever developed. The Avia evolved into the model R20 (1980), R50 (1984), R6 (1991), R4 (1995), R5, R21 (20" wheels), R24, and the R22. This bicycle series has characteristically been one of the most compact and easily-folding bicycles on the market. The company has also produced folding pedal tricycles since 2000: the R31, R32, and R34.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
manufacturer of folding bicycle
Folding bicycle
A folding bicycle is a bicycle designed to fold into a compact form, facilitating transport and storage. When folded, the bikes can be more easily carried into buildings and workplaces or onto public transportation or more easily stored in compact living quarters or aboard a car, boat or plane...
s, tricycle
Tricycle
A tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school-age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for...
s, and moped
Moped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
s, based in Francofonte
Francofonte
Francofonte is a comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily, southern Italy, located about 170 km southeast of Palermo and about 40 km northwest of Syracuse....
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. The company's products are suitable for being transported by car, boat, or airplane, and are designed and manufactured entirely in-house.
History
The founder of the company, Rosario Di Blasi, began development of a folding scooterScooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
in 1952, which by 1968 had evolved into a Zanetti-powered folding tricycle called the DIBLA 7 that was shown at the Turin Auto Show
Turin Auto Show
The Turin Auto Show is an auto show held annually in Turin, Italy. The first official show took place between 21 and 24 April 1900, at the Castle of Valentino, moving to Turin in later years....
as a prototype. Finally in 1974 Di Blasi began production of a folding moped with a Franco Morini motor and single-speed transmission called the R2 (also known as the "Paperino"). In 1979 the model R7 replaced the R2 and featured an engine of Di Blasi's own design as well as a multi-speed transmission. This moped has been continuously improved and is still in production as the R7E. It has been used by the Polizia Stradale
Polizia Stradale
The Polizia Stradale is the national Highway patrol of Italy and is a sub-directorate of the Italian State Police.The Polizia Stradale patrols the 7,000 kilometers of motorways in Italy and the main highways and arterial roads outside towns...
, the Traffic Police division of the Italian National Police
Polizia di Stato
The Polizia di Stato is one of the national police forces of Italy.It is the main police force for providing police duties and it is also responsible for patrolling motorways , railways , airports , customs as well as certain waterways, and assisting the local police...
, aboard their helicopters. The R7 is sold by Di Blasi of America as the "Express." It is also used worldwide by a number of different "chauffeur" companies, who will drive it to meet the customer, fold it up and put it in the trunk of their car, and drive the customer wherever they need to go, such as home from a bar or party. One such company, Superbob, serves part of the Netherlands. In the southern US, Zingo Transportation
Zingo Transportation
Zingo Transportation, Inc. was founded in October 2005 by Atlanta entrepreneurs Jim Valentine and Charles Barfield.Zingo Transportation is a designated-driving service that uses the customer's own car to transport them to their home...
provides this service. In Australia the Di Blasi R7 has been imported, sold and run as part of their designated chauffeur service by Scoot2you Personal Chauffeurs originally on the Gold Coast and then in Brisbane and Melbourne and shortly in Sydney as part of their growing Franchise.
Also in 1974, the company introduced a folding bicycle called the Avia. The model Avia is notable for having featured the first folding pedals ever developed. The Avia evolved into the model R20 (1980), R50 (1984), R6 (1991), R4 (1995), R5, R21 (20" wheels), R24, and the R22. This bicycle series has characteristically been one of the most compact and easily-folding bicycles on the market. The company has also produced folding pedal tricycles since 2000: the R31, R32, and R34.