Bike Hugger 

The Copenhagen Wheel is in the news today with a report from the NYTimes, website, and a teaser video:

It’s a kinetic energy wheel that “captures the energy dissipated while cycling and braking and save it for when you need a bit of a boost.”

Photo: Copenhagen Wheel

The NYTimes article includes quotes from Steve Hed, whose skeptical of bikes with regenerative wheels

“Just the basic bike is so hard to beat … The latest thing now are the simple, fixed-gear bikes, so simple and light you can throw them over your shoulder.”

A power assist product that’s simple and light is something the urban bike category needs, and if it ships, that’s more great news from Copenhagen. What this means, is MIT has developed a bike that you ride around, it stores energy, and gives you a little boost when you need it to get up a hill or around town. The unit is controlled by your phone.

Also see the Cannondale Dutchess and our electric tag.