News

The forever-dry bench (and other reasons to walk)

November 14, 2014

It is the most environmentally-friendly way to get about, great exercise, sociable and free, and yet almost two thirds of us walk for less than one hour a week. When asked why we walk so little, most cite lack of time, incorrect footwear and rain - concerns addressed by designers in a variety of novel ways. Making a stand on behalf of...

General News

Just another Ferrari-beating bicycle

November 14, 2014

The last time you felt your ride needed a boost, you probably stopped for a snack. François Gissy strapped a rocket to the back of his bicycle and clocked over 200mph. So fast was Gissy’s run, and so impressive his...

Cycling

Beating bike thieves: Making your garden shed bike secure

November 7, 2014

As winter draws in and many bikes retreat to the comfort of the garden shed, it's a good time of year to review your security. In the run up to Christmas, fewer cyclists may take to the roads, but thieves are as active as ever. It doesn't cost a fortune to make your shed more secure. Motion sensitive halogen lights cost less than £10, as do...

General News

Strati: World's first 3D printed electric car

November 7, 2014

It’s bodywork may look a little rough around the edges, and it would need a roof to cope with the British winter, but these failings can be forgiven because the Strati is the world’s first 3D-printed electric car. A group of engineering companies built the life-size, working 3D-printed prototype vehicle in 44 hours using a process called...

Driving

Fontus: self-filling bicycle bottle makes one pint an hour

November 6, 2014

Fontus is a bicycle water bottle that takes moisture from the air to create safe drinking water. Industrial designer Kristof Retezár has aimed the self-filling bottle at long-distance cyclists. In the right climatic conditions, Fontus produces at least one pint of condensed drinking water every hour. More information at:...

General News

Solar-powered cycle lanes are go

November 6, 2014

SolaRoad is new surface for cycle paths that converts sunlight into electricity and the first stretch, near the Dutch town of Krommenie, opens next week. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Solaroad The idea behind SolaRoad is simple: sunlight on the road surface is absorbed by solar cells and converted into electricity, which is used for street...

Cycling

All-round good idea: 360-degree LED bicycle light flares

October 31, 2014

As a bike commuter in Seattle, electrical engineer Pete Clyde admits there have been many days when he's opted to drive a car and sit in traffic because he didn't feel there was any cycle light on the market that made him feel safe. But rather than stay off his bike, he designed his own LED 'flares'. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Years of...

Cycling

Aura LED bicycle flashing light belt

October 31, 2014

In the Netherlands, most cyclists would no sooner attach torches to their cars than ride a bike without a good-quality dynamo, but we British are more likely to opt for LED lights - which now come in all shapes and sizes. The Aura is a nylon webbing belt with a flexible LED and fibre optic lighting system embedded within. It can be set to...

Cycling

Belt Scooter: Wearable transport

October 31, 2014

Now that smart phones allow us to carry the world in out pockets, the next step may be wearable transport - so says Hungarian industrial designer Adam Torok. His Belt Scooter is articulated so that it can be worn around the waist when not being ridden. [quote type="cycle_insurance"] Unless you are lucky enough to live a stone's throw from a...

Cycling

Zombie-proof bicycle

October 24, 2014

Bicycles are already the quickest way to get around town, but the chronic shortage of oil following a zombie apocalypse will render cars all but useless, so bikes will be the only way for survivors to travel. And just in case the average mountain bike is not up to the task, cycle insurance provider, the ETA, has built a zombie-proof bicycle...

General News