next generation electric bikes

Winner of an International Forum of Design award, the HMK 561 prototype pushes the limits of bicycle design. German Designer Ralf Kittmann has re-defined the function of the bicycle frame by allowing the one-piece carbon-fibre frame to distribute power from the motor without wires.

Built-in to the design are also some other fantastic features such as regenerative brakes that convert the heat energy from braking into electricity and in-built lights powered by the motor. We are led to believe that the frame is covered with a variety of isolated fibres that run parallel to each other and act as capacitors storing electricity for the bike, although I have my doubts on that one. The most important aspect of this bike is its aesthetic appeal, it just screams sci-fi chic and from now on is to be referred as the Luke Skywalker.

Electric Cars in Ireland

Selection of electric cars available from Renault

In an announcement by Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday, Ireland has set a goal to have 10% of all vehicles in the country running on electricity by 2020. The country is to become a test bed for the roll-out of electric vehicles and in an effort to get people to make the switch to electric, the public will receive a €5,000 grant towards the purchase of a new electric car. On top of this, electric cars will not have to pay vehicle registration tax. The grant will make the electric cars comparable in price to their combustion counterparts, but the real plus is tat they will run at 20% of the cost of a conventional car.

Yikes! Here comes the YikeBike

This innovation in urban transportation is definitely pre-destined to end up in the scrapheap of outrageous designs that people regard as simply a step too far. I mean, whats wrong with the bicycle, or even the electrically assisted bicycle? Segway's aren't cool, YikeBike is definitely not cool.

Biking & Google Maps

Google have started to add bicycle routes in cities across the US to their maps application. This is a fantastic innovation in my opinion and can be used to further promote cycling, whether it be touring or simply urban biking. With safety a major issue when it comes to biking, decent maps showing the classifications of bicycle routes can be used as a tool to highlight accident black spots and pressurize local councils to upgrade many of the substandard infrastructure for biking.

Innovative Bicycle Storage Solutions from Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang, designer of Cycloc Photograph: Luke Hayes/guardian.co.uk

"Bicycles no longer need to clutter entryways." Time Magazine

The theory that states that the simplest ideas are the best is proved in spades by the Cycloc – the brainchild of product and industrial designer Andrew Lang. That's not to undervalue its genius, which delivers a practical solution with an injection of edgy art installation style. So, what exactly is it? Put simply, the device is a cycle storage solution that dexterously solves the problem of bike storage in confined spaces.

Seoul Transforms Freeway Into a River (Video)

Cheonggyecheon stream in downtown Seoul

Below is an excellent 5 minute video from Fast Company describing why in 2003, city officials in Seoul decided to demolish a two-storey freeway feeding directly into the centre of the city...and replace it with a stream. I actually visited Cheonggyecheon when I was in Seoul last year and the river had seems like it was always there, and in fact it was. The demolished thoroughfare was built above the site of an ancient stream.

Copenhagen by Bicycle Exhibition

Postcard from 1950's entitled "Bicycle Traffic in Rush Hour"

We all know that Copenhagen is the best cycling city in the world, but what is the history behind its vibrant culture? Following on from the 1937 travel video of Copenhagen reported last year, here is some images from the 'Copenhagen by bicycle' exhibition currently running at the Museum of Copenhagen.

Electric folding bikes

With more and more electric bikes starting to appear everywhere, its not just your friendly Chinese neighbour silently whizzing past you on a CIE bike, electric folding bikes are quickly gaining significant interest. While earlier this month we had a look at PUMA's $1,000 folding bicycle, this offers nothing to the sweat conscious, suit-clad commuters. Those who choose to take their folding bike on the train or bus with them can breath a sigh of relief with the advent of electric powered folding bikes. Here are some fine examples found at Treehugger and RideThisBike. Thankfully smug looks will be keep at bay as it appears that these bikes won't be whizzing past toiling cyclists anytime soon.

Augmented Reality Mapping

In this very recent TED talk, Blaise Aguera y Arca takes his Photosynth technology one step further and incorporates the technology into   mapping. The really amazing advance comes at the end with the introduction of live video data into mapping thanks to a 4G mobile network.

Blaise Aguera y Arcas is an special kind of architect. He is an architect at Microsoft Live Labs, and the co-creator of Photosynth, an amazing piece of technology that co-ordinates online photographs of a physical object or place and arranges them into a 3d model that one can orbit about and zoom in and out to discover new levels of detail.

Kolelinia / Martin Angelov

Martin Angelov shared his funky concept for a new urban way of transportation dubbed “Kolelinia” with us . Kolelinia proposes that we ride our bicycles on a steel wire as a new type of bicycle lane. The idea was awarded first for the international “Line of Site” competition.