UK inventors create flying bicycle

UK designers Yannick Read, 42 and John Foden, 37 have spent two years creating an advanced prototype they call the Paravelo. This vehicle is capable of travelling at 15mph on land and 25mph in the air.

When cycling it tows a lightweight trailer which holds a powerful fan. When the user wants to fly, the bike attaches to the trailer, the flexible wing is unlocked and an electric starter motor starts the biofuel powered fan.

Mr Foden said “The inspiration for the project is that both Yannick and myself have always had a passion for cycling and aircraft of every type.” Mr Read added “Both of us have dreamt of flying and being pilots since we were kids. And one of the biggest barriers for flying is cost. It's expensive to train, it's expensive to maintain the aircraft. One of the beauties about the flying bicycle is that it is accessible. It is affordable.”

The couple need £50,000 in funding to complete the design. You can visit the Kickstarter page over here if you wish to contribute. At time of publication they have raised almost £5,000 with 58 days to go.

Kitguru says: Fancy flying into work? It may be closer than you imagine.

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