Breathalyzing bike lock keeps tipsy cyclists from riding drunk
You'd be surprised by the amount of damage and havoc that an inebriated bicyclist can inflict just by swerving through traffic, ignoring stop signs or falling off their bikes into the paths of oncoming cars. To prevent this sort of thing from happening, the Alcoho-Lock from Japanese firm KOOWHO combines the functionalities of a breathalyzer and bike lock. It works on the same principle as the ignition locks DUI offenders are often required to install on their cars. You simply blow into a mouthpiece on the underside of the lock and wait for the device to measure the amount of alcohol on your breath. If it's below the legal limit, the lock releases and you can be on your merry way. If it's above the legal limit the Alcoho-Lock will totally rat you out, sending a warning text to a family member or friend telling them you're smashed. That contact will then have the option to remotely unlock the device on your behalf.
Besides being a narc, the Alco-Lock has a few other drawbacks as well. For one, you'll need to keep it charged -- a fully battery works out to about 40 breath tests -- and there's no word on what happens if the battery dies while it's still locked to your bike. Plus, it's $250. Yes, for an aluminum-clad bike lock. I mean, the nearly indestructible Kyrptonite Fahgettaboudit retails for less than half that price. And finally, unless you want to blow into the lock every single time you go for a ride, you're likely going to need to carry a conventional lock in addition to this one. So, what's the point?
