MIT Develops the Ultimate Lazy Biker Innovation - GreenWheel

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MIT Develops the Ultimate Lazy Biker Innovation - GreenWheel

by Josh Loposer (Subscribe to Josh Loposer's posts)
Feb 27th 2009 @ 8:00AM

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Gadgets and Tech, Health

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When it comes to bike commuting, two of the major benefits are lowering your carbon footprint and getting your daily exercise on your way to work, instead of sitting in traffic. Recently though, tons of inventors seem to be trying to meet the demand for those who want to bike without the sweaty spandex. Of the many power-assist ebike concepts that I've come across, the GreenWheel -- designed as part of MIT's SmartCities program -- is probably the most practical.

Instead of having to buy a whole new bike, you can simply bolt in a GreenWheel and start driving your old bike, instead of riding it. The only piece of the electric power system not housed in the wheel is the throttle, which controls the motor from your handlebars via a Bluetooth connection.

There's also no need plug your ~~lazybike~~ ebike into an outlet overnight (though it's an option), since the GreenWheel can recharge its Li-ion batteries from A123 Systems as you pedal. The range for the GreenWheel is 25 miles -- and that distance doubles if you pedal.

With a life expectancy of 40,000 miles, designer Ryan Chin says "you'll have to replace the bike before you replace the batteries." And he expects it to cost only a few hundred dollars.

[via Inhabitat]

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-01-2009 @ 5:05PM

Terry said...

Why all the disrespect for electic bikes? If it allows the other 99% of the population to get on a bike and get some excercise instead of driving their cars, I'm all for that. I have a regular bike and a great electric bike. While the regular one rusts on the side of the house from non use (because I live in the hills, it is to difficult to get back home on any ride), the electric one gets used 3 - 4 times a week. I end up pedaling around 90% of the time and get significantly more exercise than if I drove my car to the market, post office, bank, etc.

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