Without pedals, gears, or a saddle, should the Fliz Bike be considered a bicycle at all? Part hang-glider, part Rube Goldberg device, the Fliz is composed of a lightweight frame that uses a harness to suspend the rider in between a set of wheels. Based on the concept of a velocipede, the German prototype was created to to encourage more cycling within an urban environment.
Like a blast from the past, the Fliz Bike harkens back to the days before bicycles were designed with all of the efficiency and convenience of pedals and a chain. German designers Tom Hambrock and Juri Spetter drew their inspiration from the “Laufmaschine,” a 19th-century precursor to the modern bike. To get the contraption moving, the rider must run or be coasting downhill. A five-point harness system holds the frame close to the user’s body while in transit, allowing the rider to gain enough speed. Once at a good clip, they can then rest their feet on the back wheel and use the handlebars to steer.
Hambrock and Spetter hope that the unusual construction of the Fliz Bike will make cycling more attractive and fun to encourage an alternative to driving. Already gaining speed, the cycle has won a Merit Award at the International Cycle Show in Taipei.
Via Eco Chunk
Something like this is already available commercially.
It is designed for people who can’t ride a bicycle because of injury or other issues.
glidecycle.com/
agree with prior commenter about the head in the hole, not what you want if there is trouble.
Nice job on the fabrication and execution.
I see this is a very interesting idea and truly creative. It is more of an wheel assisted walking or running than bicycling. Though the design is weird and far from ideal as it is now, it might be the next big thing since the invention of the bicycle you never know. Great job. I’m sure someone is paying close attention on this thing.
i like that it doesn’t need a chain or pedals, saves a lot of maintenance. it just looks bothersome to strap yourself in and out each time.
I like it. Bikes are too hard on your knees, butt and back, running can be too hard on your joints. This looks like pure fun. Even going uphill, you’d be able to use your full legs for propulsion. I like that your legs are always there for stability. I want to try one.
interesting, but i don’t think many would use this design where you would be strapped in like a child. A diamond frame (industry standard) without pedals would work, be more accepted, and cost less. Although a scooter would cost even less and could be folded. ^_^
I think it looks like fun. Also, as someone who has trouble w/an ankle making it easy to bike, but hard to walk, the idea of being suspended and using my feet but with the main weight off them is intriguing
Very innovative and fun looking, but ultimately, a solution to a problem no one had. I see this as a niche product, but never really gaining widespread acceptance.
Hazardous and useless. What’s wrong with regular bike? Even walking is better than that. It won an award?
Interesting but useless really.
Looks like a death trap. How do you turm your head to look over your shoulder ? I guesss defensive driving is not the norm on the auto bahn. Wouldn’t catch me strapped into one of those except at an autoshow in Taipei.
Looks uncomfortable. Like, maybe if a bike seat was really painful for someone they could use this, but holding your legs up like that, man. Plus, I could see myself jamming my toes right into the ground on this thing.
Why not just use a bike?
More efficient and currently cheaper.
Very weird invention. Bit like a chocolate teapot. Original…but useless.