Aerovelo
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Volkswagen's long-distance EV, and more in the week that was
This week Elon Musk unveiled his long-awaited plan to establish a self-sustaining city on Mars - and he's targeting a ticket price of about $100,000 per traveler. Meanwhile, Volkswagen showcased a breakthrough electric car that will cost less and travel further than the Tesla Model 3 and the Chevy Bolt. Aerovelo shattered a world speed record by hitting 89.59 mph in a super-streamlined bicycle, and we spotted a swap-in wheel that turns any bike into an electric vehicle in 60 seconds flat.
The world's fastest human-powered vehicle just topped 85 mph (update: 86!)
It might look like a kayak on its side, but that vehicle above has just broken the human-powered land speed record. The pilot, Todd Reichert, managed 85.71mph in his "Eta" speedbike on Thursday morning, comfortably besting the previous record of 83.13. Reichert is the pilot for team AeroVelo, and is competing in the World Human Powered Speed Challenge, taking place in Battle Mountain, NV this week. The WHPSC is basically where cyclists put their knees where their mouth is, and attempt to beat the record for pedal-powered speed. The 16th event of its kind, cyclists have a 5-mile run-up to gain speed, before hitting a 200 meter speed trap on a stretch of road hand-picked for its flatness. The magic 200 meter stretch was even specially repaved with the annual event in mind.
6 amazing bikes that fly, float or go faster than cars
By Cat DiStasio, Inhabitat Staff These days, many people prefer two wheels to four. Folks opt for bikes instead of cars for the exercise, the maneuverability, the low environmental impact and the camaraderie among riders. It's the ever-changing design of bikes that grabs the world's attention, including those of us who aren't so steady on two wheels. Whether you're a diehard cyclist or you're skeptical of human-powered transportation, here are six incredible cycles that will leave you thinking bikes are a superior class of vehicle.
AeroVelo is trying to build the world's fastest bicycle
What do you do after you set the record for human-powered flight and bag the Sikorsky Prize by floating around in a pedal-driven helicopter? You break the human-powered speed record, of course -- at least that's what's AeroVelo has planned. The team has made a habit of engineering machines that make the most of the human engine, and their latest project hopes to give mankind the ability to ride bicycles at 87 mph.
AeroVelo's human-powered helicopter bags $250,000 Sikorsky Prize
We're sure AeroVelo team members think every sleepless night and pedal push are worth it now that they can add the prestigious $250,000 Sikorsky Prize to their pile of bragging rights. They've completely demolished all the requirements needed to win the human-powered helicopter competition during one of their recent attempts. Atlas, their flying contraption, stayed in the air for 64.11 seconds, flew at a max altitude of 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and never meandered beyond the designated 10 x 10 meter (33 x 33 feet) area. The University of Toronto's creation was locked in head-to-head battle with the University of Maryland's Gamera chopper for quite some time, but it's finally bagged the prize that had remained unclaimed for 33 long years. That's a tremendous accomplishment for anyone, especially for a project with humble beginnings, and if Leonardo Da Vinci were still alive, he'd extend a big congratulazione.
