A Massachusetts Institute of Technology lab has developed a motorized bicycle for older and less-fit people to get around the city of Copenhagen, the Boston Globe reports. Today, 37 percent of Danish commuters ride bikes to work or school. The city wants to push that number to 50 percent by 2015.
MIT's new design, the Copenhagen Wheel, isn't a motorized scooter. Instead, it's just a bicycle wheel with a tiny motor attached. The whole thing fits into any existing bike frame, and gives riders extra horsepower for climbing hills or traveling long distances, the report said. The battery pack recharges by pedal power and when braking, and is completely emissions free.
In addition, the device communicates with a smart phone when mounted on the handlebars, reporting on current smog conditions, traffic congestion, and the rider's overall exertion level and progress toward fitness goals, according to the article. It can also hook into GPS radios to notify the rider where nearby friends are, and send data to city planners to aid in designing future routes.
The MIT group is talking to several interested companies about producing the Copenhagen Wheel, and estimates its retail cost to be $500, the report said. Teaser video after the jump.