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The amazing bicycle powered by the sun

dailymail.co.uk — A solar-powered bicycle has been invented, which could soon take the strain off a commuter's legs and the environment. The bright yellow 'Cycle Sol' operates like a normal pedal cycle but has a canopy lined with solar cells overhead. When the user pedals, sun's rays charge up a battery which powers a small electric motor hidden in the back wheel.

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  • divinediva, on 09/26/2008, -2/+16Very interesting, can I have one to test please?
  • Hebefrenic, on 09/26/2008, -1/+9Sucks that I am from Sweden.. Raining all the time :/
  • juzsp, on 09/26/2008, -3/+22i think i'll be entering the Tour de France next year!
    • HarrisonBn, on 09/27/2008, -0/+11you'd still get owned.
    • Zera, on 09/27/2008, -0/+6Yep, the amount of power generated by that tiny amount of solar cells is barely enough to power a small RC Car. Maybe a hundredth what you would need to bike around. Plus, the added wind resistance of the "sail" part of the bike is more than enough to counter any gains contributed by the solar cells.

      The article also mentions that it can use batteries to store energy while the bike is parked... again, the weight of the batteries is not something you want to add to a bike. If your commute was a mile, and you let it charge all day, you might see some benefit. But a distance beyond that and the battery will be out of juice, and now you're just riding an ineffective, heavy, windsail of a bike that will make you beg for your Huffy back.
  • psud0, on 09/26/2008, -0/+12Well. you will need at least 200 sunny days a year to use this bicycle as your main transportation drive vehicle.
    • infinitexx, on 09/27/2008, -0/+8Unless you're capable of biking without the solar motor, which I assume most people who buy this would be.
    • RetiredExplorer, on 09/27/2008, -0/+4i think this is the only time i will ever say this but... good thing i live in the middle of the desert.
    • SunSparrow, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2Yes, we can more than meet that requirement here in Arizona. At least 300 sunny days :[
    • ivanov, on 09/28/2008, -0/+2Just come and live in Australia, mate. We're lucky to ever get rain, or cloud.
  • slabdigger, on 09/26/2008, -11/+6C'est crap. It's obviously photoshopped. After the Chevy Volt fiasco - (we can't make enough of them -give us money) - I'm sick of products being hyped before you can show a working prototype, or better yet, something to sell.

    and also - PEDDLE HARDER, YOU LARD ASSES! - man am I grumpy this morning.
  • leerayIG88, on 09/26/2008, -4/+33lazy....learn to power the bike yourself with your legs.
    • mickstephenson, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1I imagine peddling this thing will be more difficult, you can't apply your weight directly to the pedals, and the gearing most likely means peddling up hills will be more strenuous despite the motor assistance.
    • delfin1, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1yeah the picture looks too fake. The lady on the bike should be somewhat overweight.
  • lucy22, on 09/26/2008, -0/+4Great invention, we get alot of sun, but cold here. I want one , soon.
  • kyle415, on 09/26/2008, -0/+17Cool idea, but, man, is that ugly.
    • consonance, on 09/27/2008, -0/+4Are you kidding? Finally, I have the opportunity to look like a complete and utter tool while I bicycle. Suck it, cars!
      • Zuwxiv, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1AND, you can be green! Surely the energy it takes to produce the solar panels, battery equipment, and electric motor will be put off by all the bicycle emissions that you can avoid.

        I know my regular bicycle pollutes like crazy.
  • dupswapdrop, on 09/26/2008, -5/+6to bad this idea is illegal in most states.
    • MisterRik, on 09/27/2008, -1/+7Because?
    • boydrew, on 09/27/2008, -0/+7motorized bicycles are considered motorized vehicles and therefore must be licensed. some don't meet qualifications to be license-able. they must also be insured as per state law
  • mingleTwat, on 09/26/2008, -0/+8yep, I concur, it looks amazinly ugly.
  • mrgreenjeans, on 09/26/2008, -0/+15'And if the worst happens and it rains, the roof will keep you dry.'

    Yeah, it rains sideways here in Houston.
    • DM01, on 09/27/2008, -5/+4Texas sucks anyways, move to a state that doesn't suck, like Montana
    • liquisoft, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2I also don't think rain qualifies as "the worst." Tornadoes come to mind.
  • Bluemanz, on 09/27/2008, -5/+28I would personally kick the ***** out of anyone I saw riding that.
    • delfin1, on 09/27/2008, -0/+7i would just give them a mean look.
    • funkyloki, on 09/27/2008, -0/+6I would just talk about them behind their back to all my friends.
    • Cofaloaf, on 09/27/2008, -1/+7I would just insult their personal style with the intent of lowering their self-esteem.
    • werries, on 09/28/2008, -0/+2I would just send a chain letter to every single one of everyone's grandparents, who would then forward it to everyone.
    • RichardCory, on 09/28/2008, -0/+2I just just be an e-thug and bitch about it on Digg like the little pussy I am.
  • AllenFresno, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1O yeah? Wait till you get stacked when it begins to rain.
  • spoonsman, on 09/27/2008, -1/+13Or you could just ride a regular bike and save the money you'd waste on this.
  • nubnub, on 09/27/2008, -2/+35Gayest looking thing on two wheels ever.
  • SilentRamble42, on 09/27/2008, -0/+7Make one that doesn't make me look like a tool and I'm sold.
  • HolidayCookie, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2Might as well, "You're doing it wrong".
  • Hindu_Wardrobe, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1Arizona needs these. Now.
  • bigsteve3OOO, on 09/27/2008, -7/+2Y must every environmentally friendly vehicle make the rider look like a douche bag? Y not make it look like a normal vehicle and be propelled by new tech?
    • SilentRamble42, on 09/27/2008, -0/+6Does dropping two letters from a word really save you that much time?
      • bigsteve3OOO, on 09/27/2008, -8/+2no just bait for retards to reply. thanks for getting caught in my net. u r a moran.










        please write back and tell me I misspelled moron please it is the next level and I think u r dumb enough 2 get there.
      • DM01, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1Nah, I think I'll just report you. GG
  • SzymonStas, on 09/27/2008, -0/+14Reminds me of South park
    • jer2eydevil88, on 09/27/2008, -3/+1**SMUG**
      • MOJIRA, on 09/28/2008, -0/+2No not that, he meant that one amazing future vehicle that you have to ride by getting as raped and sucking on the steering wheel.
  • Chexjc, on 09/27/2008, -0/+13Gee I didn't think riding my bike as it is was so environmentally damaging.
    • Capta1nA, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2It's not. Motor-assisted bicycles exist so that people can commute faster, and easier if there are a lot of hills on the way.
    • infinitexx, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1and it is indeed more environmentally friendly that a traditional motorized bike.
  • feenstrovski, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1I have an amazing bike powered by my feet!!! HAH!
  • Gojirra, on 09/27/2008, -0/+8The problem is, you would never bring this thing out in the light of day if you had any shame.
  • MisterRik, on 09/27/2008, -0/+4Bet that'd be fun in a stiff breeze!
  • Markers, on 09/27/2008, -0/+3Interesting concept, but I'll stick to my pedal-powered bike.
  • mtdna, on 09/27/2008, -0/+4That bike looks pretty neat, but is obvious vaporware (nice photoshop of the woman on the thing, by the way...).

    If you want to see one that is actually available, check out this thing some kid from Cal. State Long Beach put up on Instructables.com. It is a much more modest - but easily buildable - solar bike (it's a trike, actually). He says it cost US$900 to put together, including an adult-size tricycle, solar panels, batteries, etc.

    Check it out: http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Powered-Trik ...
  • Lacero, on 09/27/2008, -0/+5You need to lean forward for stability. This contraption looks like a recipe for wipeouts.
  • im2emo4myshrt, on 09/27/2008, -2/+1This is awesome! Imagine all the gas you'll save!
  • PintOfGuinness, on 09/27/2008, -1/+5Reminds me of Mr Garrisons bike he invented in the episode of South Park "The Entity", only his had dildos for handlebars and the saddle.
  • t3rmv3locity, on 09/27/2008, -0/+5Too bad the massive air drag created negates any power gained from the solar cells...
  • DarkProd, on 09/27/2008, -8/+2SLOGAN:

    "Go outside with no lag, and look like a fag."
  • Leopards, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2Doubt it would be much fun to ride in a head wind, or for that matter with crosswind gusts either!!
  • Puffles, on 09/27/2008, -1/+4There's only one problem with it: it'll be the #1 target for bicycle thieves.

    Not too much of a problem in a small town, but I can't see you using this thing in a big city.
  • sfacets, on 09/27/2008, -0/+4A canopy. Very Aerodynamic.

    Of course no one will steal my $5000 solar powered motorized bicycle, right?
    • Cglass, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2You would obviously need a key to start the motor...

      ...that isn't necessary for it to move. Damn.

      He'll have to invent something for that too and get to work in photoshop so it looks almost real.
    • whiskeythief, on 09/28/2008, -0/+0Oh come on. This thing would be totally destroyed after one crash.
  • carve, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2This isn't a very good idea. Weight is critical on a bike. There is no need to drag your solar panels around with you everywhere you go. Not only will they not be worth the weight and drag, but they are at great risk of being stolen. A more practical and efficient solution is to put a grid-tied solar system on your house and then buy back surplus power at night to charge your electric bike. Or you can go the traditional route, simplify everything, and just get a nice road bike (NOT a department store bike)
  • Ramenhood, on 09/27/2008, -0/+5That wasn't Photoshopped at all.
  • Kristijan12, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2Because we can`t afford to move our legs...
  • rolf, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1Nice to see it's a recumbent. I like those a lot better.
  • Perk, on 09/27/2008, -1/+1pedantry Technically - all bikes are powerd by the sun... unless you're pedaling around between black smokers on the ocean floor. /pedantry
  • MrSquirrel, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1What is with the cheesy photoshopped picture showing it "in use"? Ooo, she's zipping right by that poor chump who's actually pedaling... the silly fool!

    And you can tell, because she's leaving little trails of motion blur behind her like crazy! But look at him! He's going so slow, he's not leaving any motion blurs behind him at all!

    And you can tell by the look on his face, how envious he is of this solar-powered bicycle that isn't in reality whizzing past him at the moment!
  • HarryRag, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1It might be good for someone who exercises a lot and has no need for exercising some more while cycling. It shouldn't replace regular cycling with your legs if you don't get enough exercise in the first place. People not getting enough exercise is a big problem. I use my bicycle a lot and I always end up sweaty when I arrive at wherever I want to be, which is annoying, so maybe this could be a solution for when I really don't want to sweat... or something. It could also be useful for people who might alraedy use a Segway because of some sort of disability.
  • mstrhorhay, on 09/27/2008, -0/+0instead of using a large open canopy, why not just slap on one of the new 3-D solar cells that kid on the west coast invented last week?
  • DeFex, on 09/27/2008, -0/+3very stupid.
    1 gust of wind and it would be in the ditch.
    small wheels give a nasty ride.
  • mstrebe, on 09/27/2008, -0/+2Okay, Besides being nothing more than a badly photoshopped picture of a device that clearly exists only as an idea and a set of CAD drawings, the PV cell on the top is only going to generate about 8 watts per hour in full tropical sun, based on the size dimensions shown and standard available PV efficiencies.
    Given the 1500 watts my electric scooter needs to roll me 5 miles with assistance from occasional kicking at 15mph, you can forget about ever seeing this thing in real life. It won't generate enough power to do anything.
  • NickLee808, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1Great! Now we can solve our oil problems without getting off our obese asses!
  • chrisp3d, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1thats really gay
  • juicegd, on 09/27/2008, -1/+0Creating a bike that runs off solar power is not all that environmentally friendly. A normal has less of an environmental impact to produce then something that is made of plastic. sounds lazy to me.
  • OpCzar, on 09/27/2008, -0/+1Solar powered bikes will not be popularized until electric bikes are - which for some reason people stigmatize.
  • Clbull, on 09/28/2008, -0/+1And what do you do if you're not in a region of the world where theres lots of sunshine all year?
  • diggerpleez, on 09/28/2008, -0/+1The last thing any of us needs more exercise anyway, right?
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