Cyclists can benefit from a battery-powered assist uphill that recharges when descending

Dec 3, 2013 14:03 GMT  ·  By
Powered by a 48-volt rechargeable battery the Copenhagen Wheel converts a regular 26-inch bike into a powerful hybrid
   Powered by a 48-volt rechargeable battery the Copenhagen Wheel converts a regular 26-inch bike into a powerful hybrid

The Copenhagen Wheel was developed by a group of students from MIT, representing the new trend in sustainable urban mobility. The cycling pedal-assist accessory debuted in 2009 at a UN Climate Change Conference and is finally available for purchase and shipment.

The Wheel is powered by a 48-volt rechargeable battery, that converts a regular 26-inch bike into a powerful hybrid that can reach a speed of 20 miles (32 km) an hour. It is designed as a rear wheel made from a single piece that can be adjusted just by pedaling faster, compensating for the moments when you need an energy boost.

With the spicy price of $699 (€514) also comes a mobile app that tracks distances and calculates calories burned during cycling. The Copenhagen Wheel is currently available in a single-gear configuration and it will cost a bit more for the ones who want to acquire the multiple gear option.

The first 1,000 Copenhagen Wheels are hand-made and available for mountain bikes and road bikes with a standard of 26 inches (66 cm). The battery is lithium-ion and recharges automatically every time the biker rotates the pedals a quarter turn or descends a hill, according to Cnet News.

The name of the bike accessory comes from the world's most biker-friendly city – Copenhagen, that has the infrastructure and policies meant to encourage sustainable urban transportation like bikes. After studying ways of making bikes more accessible, the group came up with the idea to improve the biking experience by giving people an energy boost.

“Smart, responsive and elegant, the Copenhagen Wheel is a new emblem for urban mobility. It transforms ordinary bicycles quickly into hybrid e-bikes that also function as mobile sensing units,” according to The Copenhagen Wheel's official description. The Copenhagen Wheel improves one's bike by giving it an extra push whenever needed without additional wires, buttons or cables.