Urban Transport
The Shweeb Human-powered monorail
Forget internal combustion engines, electrical power or even maglev systems - the Shweeb is a monorail for human-powered vehicles. It consists of two 200metre long overhead rail circuits that vary in height between two and four meters above the ground. Under the tracks hang high performance pedal powered vehicles. Between one and five vehicles can be loaded onto each track enabling teams to race each other or race against the clock. Conceived in Tokyo by designer Geoffrey Barnett, the adventure park ride he built in New Zealand is partially a proof-of-concept for an ingenious, high efficiency, no emission urban transport system. (read more...)
Bike-pack: the bicycle that folds into a backpack
This entry from Taiwan's International Bike Design Competition tickled our fancy; it's a smooth looking city bike that tucks and folds itself into a 5.5kg backpack or a nifty hand trolley so you don't have to leave it locked up anywhere. (read more...)
the ErockIT – 50 mph pedal electric hybrid motorcycle
The idea of an electric-assist bicycle has been around for some time, with Aprilia’s Enjoy the first really convincing argument that the genre had a future – now there’s another variation on the electric pedal-assist theme, but it’s much more a motorcycle than a bike, and indeed, it might be one of the quickest forms of inner city transport on the planet. The whole thing weighs just 110 kilograms and with over 45lb/ft of torque and 13bhp, it can top 50mph. Pedaling is required to get those figures, but they’re pretty awesome figures giving it 250cc motorcycle performance. This very exciting development in the inevitable move to electric two-wheelers will cost around EUR 25,000 (US$39,000) and will be available in limited quantities in 2009. (read more...)
Montreal's high-tech public bicycle system
June 23, 2008 Public bike systems are an environmentally friendly and practical urban transport solution, and in theory they benefit everyone in town, but sadly, most programs quickly fold when the bikes are routinely stolen or smashed by vandals. Montreal's solar-powered Public Bike System plans to use clever design, RFID and a membership system to see if they can keep a public fleet of bikes on the road. We wish them the very best of luck! (read more...)
The Deus Ex Machina Wheeled Exoskeleton - new horizons in personal mobility
One of the most inspired design exercises we’ve ever seen is the Deus Ex Machina concept by Jake Loniak of the California's Art Center in Pasadena. The Deus Ex Machina defines a new type of anthropomorphic exoskeleton construction that is somewhere between Tommy Forsgren’s inspired fuel cell, carving, free-spirited Hermes concept and an exoskeleton, with a touch of Toyota’s I-REAL personal mobility machine thrown in. The Deus Ex Machina's motors are powered by high-energy-density batteries with ultracapacitors for instant and substantial peak power. With it’s lithe build, it doesn’t weigh much and is quicker than almost everything on wheels to its 75 mph top speed. It’s also a lot faster than any exoskeleton up to now, offering near superhuman powers for the human form. This is worth looking at! (read more...)
Pulse Kick 'n' Go Xcelerator
June 13, 2008 When Razor scooters hit the scene in the 1990s, older folk were scratching their heads. Would people really pay that sort of money for a kick scooter? The answer was a resounding yes, and a fad became a craze and even a sport. But where the Razor line was picked up by young professionals to shorten their urban commute, the Pulse Kick 'n' Go Xcelerator is aimed directly at kids. (read more...)
Rare Tiffany & Co. bicycle up for auction
Most noted for high-end jewelry, Tiffany & Co. was also a creator of unusual objects in the 19th century. One such item, a silver-mounted lady’s bicycle, is set to go under the hammer at Bonhams fine art auction house in Manhattan on June 4. (read more...)
UnoMoto: the electric transport balancing act
May 27, 2008 A design that is best described as a two-wheeled unicycle, the UnoMoto takes a Yamaha R1 frame, side-by-side wheels and Segway-like gyroscopic technology and wraps it in a custom made body to create a very different kind of electric commuter vehicle. Though perhaps not as slick in the design stakes, the UnoMoto prototype is reminiscent of the radical Bombadier EMBRIO Concept but with even simpler controls. Except for an on/off switch all control is achieved through simply leaning: forward to accelerate, back to brake, and sideways to make a turn. Young Canadian design engineer Ben Gulak deserves our applause on at least three counts: it's compact, its green and it's thoroughly unconventional. (read more...)
Ingenious fold-up Swissbike
Despite the obvious advantages of having a bicycle which can be folded for ease of transportation or storage, a compromise in performance compared with conventional bikes is inherent in many existing designs - usually due to smaller wheel sizes, less than ideal seating positions and structural instability. Although we've uncovered some outstanding examples of innovative, lightweight collapsible bikes over the years, only a select few have offered a combination of full-size performance and fold-up convenience. Joining this group is the SwissBike, a civilian spin-off of a platform first developed for use in military transport and parachute airdrop by Massachusetts based bicycle manufacturer Montague Corporation. The range is headed-up by the flagship SwissBike XO - a full size mountain bike with 26” wheels that folds down to a 36" x 28" x 12" size in under 30 seconds via a quick-release system that doesn't require tools. (read more...)
Svepa city bike
The Svepa bike design employs a frame made from an intelligent combination of plywood and aluminum to create an elegant, practical and eye-catching city bicycle built for two. (read more...)
Shape-shifting bicycles to redefine the urban commute
May 5, 2008 Shape shifting designs that provide convenient portability and storage options and push the boundaries of people’s accepted ideas of the bike came to the fore at the recent International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC). The standout example was the third placed the Everglide concept, an innovative multi-purpose design that integrates a bicycle with a backpack. (read more...)
The Optibike OB1 electric bicycle: exclusive, long range, power assisted commuting
April 24, 2008 Optibike's 2008 range of electric-powered bicycles will be spearheaded by the limited edition OB1, the signature bike of Optibike Inventor Jim Turner. The key component of the Optibike system - the patented Motorized Bottom Bracket (MBB) which drives through the derauiller gear system to optimize acceleration and range at all pedaling speeds - is now oil cooled and delivers 850 continuous watts of power. Add to this carbon fiber handlebars, brakes, derailleur, chainring and cable ferrules, a customized paint job, GPS satellite navigation, plus a wireless PDA interface that provides real-time feedback on remaining range, battery charge and motor temperatures, and you have yourself one high-performance urban commuter. (read more...)
The Magic Wheel: the penny farthing of skateboards?
April 18, 2008 If you've ever dreamed of sailing down the footpath on a seatless unicycle with no pedals - and lord knows I have - you too will wonder why it took so long for the Magic Wheel to go into production. Thankfully, for ergonomic reasons, they've removed the seat post too. (read more...)
Sunny Day: fold-up solar-electric bicycle concept
April 17, 2008 Featuring an adjustable streamlined solar panel on the front stem, the Sunny Day compact solar electric bicycle design by Larry Chen recently took out the Grand Prize in the 12th annual International Bicycle Design Competition. (read more...)
Amphibious Bicycle Concept
April 13, 2008 One of the more interesting finalists in the 12th International Bicycle Design Competition was this amphibious bicycle. The Amphibian Bike concept is the work of Chinese designers Bin Yu and Jian Wang, and in our book, is probably the design with the greatest potential for humanity among the strong field. The big difference with this bike compared to all the other amphibious bicycle designs we have seen is that it can be used as an ordinary bicycle on land. When used on water using the inflatable wheels which fit inside the existing wheels are inflated. The Shuttle Bike is still the best amphibious bike we have seen, though the weight overhead when on land is significant. (read more...)
The Fietscafe/Pedalpub – pedal-powered party
The concept of a mobile pedal-powered pub began in Holland and now appears to be spreading, with franchises now appearing in America. It’s an ideal pub crawl conveyance, instant parade float, tailgating venue and all-purpose group activity. (read more...)
Snowboarding on the pavement: the T-Board
March 27, 2008 Rotating casterboards like Razor's RipStik and the Essboard are fairly well established as hyper-manoeverable alternatives to the skateboard, letting riders fishtail their way around and even climb hills without putting a foot down. Tierney Rides are now offering a totally flat casterboard with two fully rotating caster wheels - and the company claims its carving T-Board is the closest experience you can get to snowboarding on pavement. (read more...)
Battery-free bicycle lighting
March 21, 2008 In the pecking order of road users, bicycle riders are at the very bottom – the most vulnerable, slowest moving, least visible and most likely to die. So anything you can do to add to your visibility will help, and these new battery-free Pedalites offer 360 degree visibility. (read more...)
Genius rear shock bike control system
February 29, 2008 The Genius range of mountain bikes from Scott were designed with a variety of riding levels in mind, from crossing the Alps to a leisurely tour with friends. One of the standout features of the bikes is an adjustable rear shock system that is easily operated via handle bar levers. (read more...)
Safe Turn: the fully-automatic indicator for cyclists
January 22, 2008 Environmental and health factors have been a catalyst for increased numbers of cyclists in metropolitan cities with bike sales exceeding that of cars in places like Australia in recent times. With more recreational and commuter cyclists sharing the roads with automobiles it follows that rider safety - and technology that enhances it - is more important than ever. The Safe Turn Indicator is a compact (40 mm/1.6 in) and lightweight (19g/0.67oz) bicycle light indicator designed to fit your glove or wrist that consists of three LEDs which flash in a similar fashion to a vehicle or motorbike indicator and emit the same orange light. Using an internal tilt switch to pick-up the change in angle rather than motion-detection, the product differentiates itself from other indicators on the market by virtue of its ability to automatically switch on when an arm is raised to execute a normal hand signal for turning and remain flashing until the arm drops back down. (read more...)
Uniquely designed STRIDA folding bicycle collapses in six seconds
Portabilty, comfort, performance and strength - these are the key factors that come into consideration when delving into the world of folding bicycles. Using a unique design described as the "first completely new bicycle geometry in 95 years", the STRIDA folding bicycle appears to deliver on all counts. The STRIDA consists of a light-weight aluminum triangular frame that folds into a compact, stowable form in just six seconds with power transfer to the rear wheels via a silent, clean Kevlar belt, meaning low maintenance and no grease on your business attire when you arrive at the office. (read more...)
Easyglider adds electric drive to your rollerblades or skateboard
December 4, 2007 Around the world, dozens of small businesses are springing up and flourishing based on innovative, compact urban transport inventions that speed up the short commute while at the same time injecting a healthy dose of fun. The skateboard has evolved into electric powered versions as well as the twisting casterboard concept, mini-scooters are going electric and developing at a rapid rate, and next-gen mobility platforms like the Segway are changing the way people think about short-range transport. Now there's the easyglider, an external electric drive wheel that lets you zip yourself along at up to 20kmh on your rollerblades, skateboard, or a connected wheeled platform. (read more...)
Metroboard electric skateboard carves the pavement at 15mph
November 15, 2007 The electric skateboard is a bit of an oddity – it’s a logical step forward from a technology point of view, it’s a high-efficiency mode of transport, handy for short commutes, quiet, light, storable and probably quite a bit of fun. The latest to come to our attention is the Metroboard - capable of 15mph (26kmh) and controlled by a nifty infra-red handheld remote control, it’s one of the lightest units on the market. (read more...)
Electrobike Pi: your pedal power gets an electric boost
Electric/pedal power hybrid bicycles make a lot of sense as commuters. With a small amount of battery power to augment your pedaling efforts, you can achieve extra speed and distance while leaving a minimal environmental footprint and paying next to nothing per kilometer. The Electrobike Pi is a fine example of the state of the art: packed with nifty technology in a design marked by its distinctive arch frame, the Pi is speed limited to 20 mph when powered by the 36V/500 watt electric motor alone - slotting neatly under the maximum power and speed figures allowable in California without a motorcycle license - and you can travel around 25 miles without troubling the pedals. (read more...)
The Matra MS1 “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle”
Matra Manufacturing & Services (Matra MS) has turned its attention to the production of Light Electric Vehicles with the latest offering from a company renowned for its past achievements in the automotive design arena – including a stint in Formula One in which it won a world title along with wins in the Le Mans 24 hour race - being the MS1, a “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle” shown recently in Paris that is expected to hit the market in the spring of 2008. Powered by a 1kW Motor Wheel, the MS1 has its maximum speed limited to 28mph (45 kmh) in electric mode and can travel up to 62 miles (100 km) - depending on type of battery - on purely electric power… and if you run out of juice there is always the ever-reliable pedal-option. (read more...)
