Click above for more images of the electric bike train

Recently, while searching the net for the most interesting forward-thinking ideas around, we stumbled across a design for an electric bicycle which works sort of like a train. Sure, that sounds confusing, but a quick glance at the pictures below will likely make the concept easier to understand. While we in no way believe that a device such as this would make any real dent in global emissions or congestion, we do think that the idea has some merit for cyclists. Consider, for example, how expensive tandem bicycles are. With a vehicle such as this, a single rider can go his merry way alone or attach extra helpers bikes as needed. Additionally, the electric machine is collapsible, which should make it easier to store when not needed. Pretty cool stuff from designer Jiang Qian in China. A quick glance at his accomplishments makes us believe we're not the only ones impressed by his work.


[Source: Coroflot.com]

Click above for more shots of the Bi-Cycle tandem bike

What do you get when you combine two unicycles into one machine? A headache, if you ask us. And questions too. For instance: Who's leading who? With the Bi-Cycle tandem bike, the two riders face opposite sides of each other, leaving both seemingly in control of steering duties. There are no brakes, so stopping would most likely be accomplished when the tandem riders run into something... like the ground. A quick glance at the company website shows that somebody has spent way too much time figuring out how to make this contraption work, as various permutations appear to have been considered and abandoned along the way.

We're pretty sure that this machine is meant purely for fun though, so we can cut it some slack. Riding it, though, would be another story completely. I'm not sure that I trust anybody that much. If you want to see a video of the Bi-Cycle in action, follow past the break.