Researchers at MIT have done the inevitable, they have attempted to reinvent the wheel - or maybe more specifically the bike wheel. The tech behind this wheel is actually quite exciting including: a sensors for detecting speed, distance, and direction, which are sent via Bluetooth to the rider's iPhone. Also, the system has a built in lock that sends the owner a text when tampered with. Granted as fun as this technology is, that which makes this Copenhagen Wheel most marketable is its KERS, Kinetic Energy Recovery System. This mechanism recovers energy from braking to give riders help when going up hills or riding particularly fast through traffic.
Such high-tech implementations as your everyday bicycle wheel is quite a feat. The KERS system in particular could greatly help in gathering new adopters in the somewhat current slim market (granted I'm sure plenty of bicycle purist out there aren't too happy about it.) Yet such a system, would definitely have its benefits, especially if the bicycle is being used as a primary means of transportation, as in many cities.
I have started to note an abundance of electric and kinetic-energy type bicycles in the last few months. Hopefully the technology is able to keep the sector alive.
It is definitely a healthy, and environmentally friendly, alternative.
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