Urban Transport
The Innervision recyclable bicycle concept
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Industrial Designer Matt Clark is taking what is already the world's most popular mode of eco-friendly transportation a step further with his recyclable Innervision bicycle concept. The goal behind the project is to reduce costs and streamline the manufacturing process by using pre-molded plastic components rather than aluminum tubes for the bicycle frame, producing a lightweight and affordable product for the cycling masses that could be made from, or turned into, plastic products. Read More
The Brudelli Leanster - remarkable car-bike fusion
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September 28, 2008 The Brudelli is a new variation on the motorcycle which takes advantage of a two-wheeled front end to offer a dynamic riding experience that delivers the leaned cornering of a motorcycle with the precision steering and traction of a multi-wheeled vehicle. The machine is all skin and bones – by basing the machine around a lean and mean KTM 690 Supermoto, it’s lighter than a car could contemplate at just 238 kg. When you have such little weight to push around, the 654cc KTM engine’s 47kW @ 7,500 rpm offers incredible acceleration courtesy of the 65 Nm @ 6,550 rpm midrange all the way to 170 km/h. The concept emanated on Norwegian gravel and winter roads but is very adaptable to all surfaces including tarmac roads, go-kart tracks and speedway tracks where even newbies apparently find themselves doing 100 metre controlled power slides in no time at all. Sounds good, heh! Available now at EUR 21,000 Euros (US$30,000) ex. VAT and ex. Works Hokksund. Read More
Run while you ride on the elliptiGO bike
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The elliptiGO glide bike offers riders all the best elements of running and cycling in one machine. Whilst running is an excellent way to improve cardiovascular health and general fitness, many runners are plagued with back and leg injuries due to the high impact nature of the sport. Similarly, bike riders often suffer from shoulder and back injuries and saddle-soreness. When you ride the elliptiGO you use the same biomechanics of running but the impact is reduced and the upright position is a much more comfortable way to ride as well as providing greater visibility in traffic. Read More
The CarvX four-wheeled carving recumbent bike
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Vehicles with a carving or tilting mechanism to assist in steering through corners make a lot of sense. We can attest to the validity of the theory following our test ride of the virtually undroppable Piaggio MP3 scooter and we've seen numerous design platforms that incorporate this approach including the VenturOne plug-in hybrid , the Xnovo three-wheeler, Brudeli's Leanster and the Lumeneo Smera. Human-powered carvers have also been spotted on the drawing-board, but we've never encountered a concept design that applies this principle to a four wheeled recumbent bicycle - until now. Read More
Kawasaki to build Japan's fastest train
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Plans announced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries could see a new record set for high-speed train travel in Japan. The design for the rail vehicle dubbed the “Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train” (efSET) is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 and its promised operating speed has been pitched around the 217mph (350 kmh) mark, quicker than the fastest trains currently operating on the country's high-speed Shinkansen network which clock around 188mph (300kmh). Read More
monovelo human-powered Monowheel
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If you happened to catch the spectacular closing ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, this image may look familiar. The gents in Country and Western inspired jump-suits are riding the monovelo, a human powered monowheel that is now being marketed outside China and is billed as the only vehicle of its kind available in the world. Those wishing to climb aboard will need USD$1690 and presumably, some very good balance. Read More
Toyota Winglet personal transport robot
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August 5, 2008 Toyota has been heavily engaged in the development of personal mobility devices and partner robots in recent years with a series of concepts such as the PM (Personal Mobility) Concept, the i-unit and i-swing , and more recently the armchair-shaped iREAL, which appears close to commercialization. Now the company has announced he development of the Segway-like "Winglet", a small footprint stand-up mode of single person transport that will cruise at 3.7 mph (6kph) at a range of up to 6.2miles (10km). Three models (which at this stage are simply designated "L", "M" and "S") are proposed: the larger version features a handle and weighs in at 12.3kg whilst the lightest of the two hands-free models weighs under 10kg but can only manage 3.1 miles at a time. All models share an impressive charging time of one hour. Read More
The Shweeb Human-powered monorail
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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
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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
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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
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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
Pulse Kick 'n' Go Xcelerator
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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
The Deus Ex Machina Wheeled Exoskeleton - new horizons in personal mobility
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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
Rare Tiffany & Co. bicycle up for auction
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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
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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
Svepa city bike
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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
Ingenious fold-up Swissbike
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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
Shape-shifting bicycles to redefine the urban commute
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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.
The Fietscafe/Pedalpub – pedal-powered party
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Electrobike Pi: your pedal power gets an electric boost
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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
Metroboard electric skateboard carves the pavement at 15mph
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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
The Matra MS1 “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle”
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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
Climb aboard the next-generation of personal transport: we ride Toyota’s I-REAL
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Gizmag leapt at the opportunity to take Toyota’s I-REAL personal mobility concept for a spin at the Tokyo Motor Show yesterday. “The seating position was remarkably comfortable and the joystick controls fell to hand immediately. Handling was surprisingly intuitive – when compared to other personal mobility devices such as the Segway, which is itself by no means difficult to master, the I-REAL was a breeze to pilot”, said Gizmag’s Mike Hanlon of his first impressions of the I-REAL. "Simply, it’s quiet, it’s very easy to use - it can be used at strolling pace and you can travel alongside somebody who’s walking very slowly and hold a conversation with them very easily, but when given full throttle it can sprint away much faster than a human being can hope to hit full pace running". Check out the I-REAL in this video. Read More
MotorBoard 2000XR: next generation electric scooter
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Continuing its quest to take motorized scooters out of the realm of toys and into the arena of genuine, eco-friendly, urban transportation for adults, Roth Motor Company has released the much anticipated upgrade to their fully portable 2000X MotorBoard. The new 2000XR motorized scooter retains a safety-limited speed of 15mph but boasts improved torque, range and hill climbing capabilities over its predecessor. Since the range began in 2002 with the release of the 1500X, the power has been doubled while the weight has been reduced with the latest model now capable of carrying an average sized rider (up to 250 lbs.) between 4-7 miles on a single charge.
Toyota’s i-REAL personal mobility concept nears commercialization
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October 11, 2007 One of the most exciting transportation developments in recent years has been the ongoing series of Personal Mobility devices we have seen from Toyota. It began with the PM (Personal Mobility) Concept, and was followed by the i-unit and i-swing concepts, and we have watched these developments with the parallel exploration of mobility, partner and guide robots, as the company has surged to become the world’s largest automotive manufacturer. Now the next installment in this exciting personal mobility series is here, with the promise of commercialization drawing tantalizingly close. And it looks like it "carves", meaning it tilts into a corner in the same way a motorcycle does! Read More
