Several Czech companies joined forces to create a flying bicycle that has even been successfully tested a few days ago. No one would admit how much they loved E.T., though.
Humans have dreamed about flying vehicles for a very long time, now, but until recently it seemed like these would never become real. Volkswagen’s Hover Car is an unrealistic concept that might take several decades to develop. In the meantime, a few Czech tech companies decided that a flying bicycle will have to do for the moment, so they came together and created one.
At a first glance, this vehicle seems to be the result of an intimate relationship between a bike and a quadcopter, since it has a bit of both. Despite its ridiculous size, the flying bicycle is still very impressive. Using a simple bike might not have resulted in the same experience, so the companies decided to employ an electric one. In the video that you can watch below, a dummy rider was used for testing the bike. Considering that human riders are heavier, the results might not have been the same. Besides, heavy-duty batteries should be used for transporting human riders on longer distances. I guess that’s proof that E.T.’s bike was better, and that was more than 30 years ago.
In an interview for Ceske Noviny, Ales Kobylik, a manager with design and engineering company Technodat stated: “Our main motivation in working on the project was neither profit nor commercial interest, but the fulfillment of our boyish dreams.” It’s great that profit wasn’t their motivation, but since Czech bicycle manufacturer Duratec was also involved, it would seem that the latter considers expanding its range of products.
Below is the proof that the flying bicycle is actually lifting off the ground. I encourage you to watch the video, but turn down the volume, as the propeller whirring is nerve-wrecking. The video is not fake, as some people might assume, and the bike can actually be controlled. However, the speed is not that impressive. As a YouTube commenter said, if these were mass produced, there would be a lot of aerial traffic jams. Not their speed would cause problems, but also their size. Let’s just hope that someone finds a better way of making bicycles fly. If in the process they also manage to make them a tad quieter, then people might actually consider buying them.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtylFugOT_4&w=600&h=338]
If you liked this post, please check this foldable bicycle design and this animal themed bicycle designed by Jud Turner.
