A bike that helps kids 'to learn cycling in an hour'
London: Learning how to cycle may never
be the same again, thanks to scientists who have developed a
new bike that could help children learn to ride in one hour.
In fact, a team at US firm Gyrobike has come up with a
front wheel that senses when the bike is starting to keel over
and recentres it beneath the rider's weight -- it will replace
traditional stabilisers for those learning to cycle.
Known as the Gyrowheel system, is the product of
several years of research and could be in shops by next year.
"Gyrowheel is the only product of its kind. It will change how
people learn to ride bikes," CEO Daniella Reichstetter was
quoted by the 'Daily Mail' as saying.
The Gyrowheel system has three stability settings --
high, medium and low. As a rider's skills and confidence
improve, the stability setting can be adjusted.
The wheel is the same size as an ordinary one but,
instead of spokes, has a circular housing which contains an
independently spinning disc powered by a rechargeable battery.
When switched on, this inner disc speeds up and spins
independently of the outside wheel.
As the disc spins at high speed it creates a strong
force that keeps the wheel upright. So, for example, if the
bike begins to topple, the gyroscope compensates by leaning
the wheel in the opposite direction. It works in a similar way
to a child's spinning top, which is also a type of gyroscope.
California-based Gyrobike's marketing boss Ashleigh
Harris said: "Our prototypes knocked the socks off parents
whose kids tested Gyrowheel, and the real thing is ten times
better."
Bureau Report