Moped gets in on the air-powered fun
Click on the image to watch a video of a prior air-powered bike
While we've seen plenty of air-powered cars, but this may be the first compressed air-powered moped that we've laid our eyes on. Created by inventor and TV presenter Jem Stansfield, the air-powered moped was created for a U.K. National Geographic channel documentary called Planet Mechanics. Compressed air is stored in a couple of carbon fiber tanks originally used by firefighters which can be refilled in just a few seconds using larger air containers. Once filled, the bike is capable of traveling at eighteen miles per hour for up to seven miles. That's not going to set any records, but for a quick little build using off-the-shelf parts, it's not too bad at all!
This air-powered moped is not Stansfield's first attempt at such a machine. Be sure to watch the video after the break for some more air-powered bicycle fun.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mattias 8:49AM (4/16/2008)
A great way of parasitizing gas stations.
"Would you mind giving me the air hose, please."
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rgseidl 9:37AM (4/16/2008)
@Mattias -
please engage your intellect. The pressurized air available at gas stations is designed to pump up tires. The pressure wouldn't be sufficient to fill a compressed air tank.
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GoodCheer 9:47AM (4/16/2008)
@ rgseidl
Please engage your sense of humor.
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scott 12:01AM (4/17/2008)
Glaringly absent are the simple details of tank capacity and pressure.
Equally frustrating is the non-relevant video showing some totally unrelated Rube Goldberg-esque rocketbike.
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Kevin Nugent 7:27PM (4/16/2008)
wow lol ugly but convienant although it encourages those to cruise on a bike rather than actually burn calories and ride a bike
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sick o jiggy 12:01AM (4/17/2008)
test post
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spitfire 6:43AM (6/29/2008)
don't be rude about his device, i think its a step in the right direction, and he should be encouraged.
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Greenstar 12:51PM (2/03/2009)
I was VERY easily able to find the "glaringly absent" pressure data about firefighter air tanks in 30 seconds using Google, (BTW it's 2200 to 4500 PSI) but then it wasn't MY purpose to carp and criticize a useful invention which I was too lazy to research, or too dull to imagine myself.
The range and speed of the vehicle would indicate to me that improved efficiency in air decompression should be easily available if not using off-the-shelf hardware, probably resulting in something that might well approximate MDI's claims for their air car.
The non-oil vehicle breakthrough might come soon.
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