Metamind's Corner of the Universe

Ok, so it is the end of the day and I have decided to blog about a bike. Not just any bike. But, a bike that takes me back to my youth. Once upon a time, I was huge Flintstones fan. I specifically wanted a Flintstones car.

I even bought the die-cast car. As such, a group of German engineers have made my dreams come true. They have designed a bike that runs on foot momentum versus the conventional pedal driven source of power used with today’s bicycles. Known as “the Fliz” (wonder where they got the name?) “does away with pedals and instead requires the rider to run or walk to generate speed.

The “Fliz Bike,” it is actually based on the world’s first bicycle, the “Laufrad,” which also operated without pedals and was created by German inventor Karl Drais in 1817.

“The prior aim of developing FLIZ was to bring a completely new driving experience to everyone,” designers Tom Hambrock and Juri Spetter write on their website. “Its laminated, innovative frame with 5 point belt system provides a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking.”

Riders of the Fliz must strap themselves into a harness (the “5 point belt system”). After building up enough speed, they lift their legs onto footrests located near the bike’s rear wheel.

“The frame integrates the rider and due to its construction it works both like a suspension and like a top carrier whereas the belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position,” the designers write.

References

Pfeiffer, Eric. New pedal-free bicycle relies on running momentum. Yahoo News 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/pedal-free-bicycle-relies-running-momentum-174927166.html.