What if we told you that you can ride a bicycle that runs on a single wheel? No, we are definitely not joking – say hello to this Halfbike that features only a single big wheel and can be steered using a stick with the rider standing. According to the firm, it is small enough to be carried around easily when not in use and can also be the alternative to gym for many while offering a better view of the traffic.
The creators had raised funds on Kickstarter for the prototype version and they are all set for the second version now. The Arizona based firm said, “We took the core driving mechanism of a classical bicycle (a wheel connected to a crankset) but redesigned pretty much everything else. The result – a vehicle that trains your balance and reflexes in a new way.”
The standing position of the rider is a must for the Halfbike. “It brings you closer to natural walking and it’s the only way to control the vehicle with your whole body and not just your hands. Halfbike is a sort of an extension to the body that allows a smooth and intuitive ride. Riding a Halfbike gives you a different perspective to the city.”
The firm also said that their product, priced at $399, is not an alternative to bikes. They further added, “We’re in no way trying to convince you that a Halfbike is better than a bicycle nor that you should get one and throw away your trusty old bike. The two are so different that they’re actually hard to compare. The feeling of riding a Halfbike is really nothing like riding a bicycle.”
The inventor of halfbike, Martin Angelov, explained, “I started sketching different concepts for a simplified bike and soon reached a point where I needed to test these concepts in real life. For some of the early prototypes I used old bicycles and parts I found at the attic. I was amazed how well people reacted to the idea and that made me want to keep up. Along the process other people were drawn into the project creating a small team. After further development and experiments with various rider positions followed by even more prototypes, the desired level of control was finally achieved. What we have now is a patent pending new type of personal vehicle ready for the market.” How many of you are ready to ride one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZqBZnncNes