Shape-shifter Bike Transforms As Rider Pedals (from three to two-wheel)

[Dover]

The Associated Press
Updated: 7:42 p.m. ET April 29, 2005




INDIANAPOLIS - Who can forget the thrill — and terror — of that first solo bicycle ride: Mom or Dad letting go, the magic of two-wheeled freedom and, inevitably, toppling over in a knee-scraping crash?

Three Purdue University industrial designers who tapped into memories of their own childhood cycling misadventures have built a bike that ditches the training wheels but keeps rookies stable.

Called SHIFT, it slowly transforms from a tricycle to bicycle configuration as the rider pedals faster, then returns to trike formation as the rider slows down.

Lead designer Scott Shim hopes the design, which won top honors recently at an international bicycle design competition, can help children slowly gain the skill and courage to pedal off on their own.

Cont'd
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7683127/

[jpgray]

1. That's a really great idea

Kudos to the designers.

[Rick Myers]

2. Wow!!!

That's IMPRESSIVE design. The market would be LARGER than just kids, I'd think...

[politicat]

3. I want one for grownups.

Those of us who bike in heavy traffic are constantly dealing with stops and starts and stability issues. This would help immeasurably.

[wtmusic]

4. And it costs...?

That rite of passage won't fall anytime soon.

[intheflow]

5. I'd like to see some video of that.

I can't quite "see" it, though it sounds like a great concept.