Future bike revealed

Sky and Chris Boardman have combined to reveal their impression of the bike of the future.

Tommorrow's wheels here today

Sky, principle partner of British Cycling and former Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman MBE who is now regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on cycling technology have combined to create an artist's impression of the "Everyday Bike of the Future". Key features include a super-lightweight carbon-fibre frame, an ipod-style central computer system, completely spoke-less wheels and puncture-proof, self-inflating tyres. One of the most successful British cyclists of all time, Chris Boardman MBE, led the research and development team for British Cycling in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. e is a man renowned for finding the extra competitive edge technology can offer cyclists and his two companies, Boardman Bikes (developing bikes for all-levels) and Boardman Elite (creating new technologies for the world's best cyclists) service riders from grass roots to the elite levels of the sport.

New Concepts

This expertise makes him the perfect person to speculate on what the Everyday Bike of the Future might look like. Chris Boardman MBE, commented on the Everyday Bike of the Future concept: "I've had a huge amount of fun working with Sky on the project and seeing my thoughts brought to life in this graphic. Carbon-fibre is definitely the future of bike technology as it is strong, super-lightweight and malleable...it's like lego for adults and would help people store and transport their bikes. The lotus style-shape and spoke-less, centre-less wheels would make the bike as aerodynamic and easy to ride as possible and I can also see a time when bikes house a tiny battery-powered motor to help people with tougher journeys. "There would also be a removable, Ipod-style central computer system which could provide the rider with GPS, readings on distance travelled, calories burned etc. A central computer system might also house a thumb-print ID lock which would help prevent theft with both the central computer system and the battery assisted motor-unit would be powered by solar panels on the frame." "The most significant impact of the evolution of bike technology would be that it would encourage more people to start cycling by breaking down some of the barriers currently preventing them. That's what has driven my thinking with the Everyday Bike of the Future as a lightweight frame, battery assist and features such as self-inflating tyres will help provide extra encouragement for people to saddle-up in the future. Of course I could be completely wrong...but at least speculation about bike technology might encourage a few more people to take up the sport now."

Everyday Bike of the Future features

Carbon-fibre construction
Toughened carbon fibre would be used for the bike construction.
The construction would be low weight and lotus-type shape to make the bike as aerodynamic as possible (and potentially provide a large usable internal space).
Carbon-fibre is the ideal material to use for bikes as it can be moulded into any shape and is super-lightweight ('it could even be lego for adults').
Lotus shape would also leave a huge space in the middle of the bike which could be used for storage and to house a battery unit and a bike lock system Battery Assistance
Battery assistance would be available on the bike to provide motorised-support to the rider where necessary battery would be charged via solar cells embedded in