Mono Wheel Bikes at Beijing Olympics (and Elsewhere)
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 08.26.08
Daily Mail photo found at Mixx
Maybe you caught sight of the 60 rather spectacular mono rimmed Light Wheels spinning around at the Olympics Closing Ceremony in Beijing on the weekend. And these weren’t the only homage that the Olympics paid to the bike. It was the first Games where BMX (bicycle motocross) was a sport in its own right, and if you looked carefully at the hand-over performance for London you might’ve have spied three cycle commuters accompanying the London double decker bus, including one on small wheel folder (was it a Brompton?).
Those Light Wheels were decidedly funky and were most certainly easy to see at night—at least from a side-on perspective. The official, somewhat overwrought, description of the bikes goes: ‘With a diameter of 2.008 meters, the "light wheel" gives off romantic and pure fluorescent light, resembling the structure of the Bird's Nest. When it revolves in the stadium like a beautiful light circle, it shows the collision of time and space and the human spirit of constantly surpassing oneself and never giving up.’
Image credit:Xinhua, found at Beijing Olympic Games
And on that 'never-giving-up' thing noted above, it is worth bearing in mind that the monocycle idea has been around for ages, as a trawl through the archives of the Museum of Retrotechnology clearly indicates, like this version from about the 1860's, to which those Beijing wheels bear more than a striking resemblance.
In 2007 Gizmodo (and others) were reporting on a replica (pic above) of one of these 130 year old monocycles that was being sold on eBay -- for $13,000!
Earlier this year Lloyd noted that designer Ben Wilson had developed his own modern version. We aren’t sure who made the Olympic models, complete with their lights, but we very much doubt you find them at your local bike dealer in time for Christmas!
More Beijing Light Wheel images:
Photos by Stu Forster and Jeff Gross of Getty Images found at Zimbio,
Jeff Gross/Getty Images from NYT
More TreeHugger on broadside Bike Lights
• Hokey Spokes
• Spoken Wheel
• Fossil Fool Down Low Glow
More TreeHugger on the Beijing Olympics
• Beijing Controls The Weather
• Gold, Silver And Green?
• Mini Pedicab Stunt
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- DIY Ice Tires for your Bicycle
- Free Bike Cages Offer Safe Parking for Commuters
- Focus on Focus Earth: Top Environmental News Stories of 2008
- 1969: Cuyahoga River Catches Fire
Argentine Law Could Fight Sweatshop Labor
|
Madonna's Carbon Tour, Kid Rock's Political Rant, George Clooney's Eco-Donation, and More
|
All I can see when I look at this is "It" from South Park"
It's a cycle, but not a bicycle.
Fairly ironic, as China is making it much harder for people to use bicycles to get to work and for other daily uses, in favor of massively increased car ownership and usage.
Jon is most definitely correct. "Mono wheel bike" makes no sense. If it has one wheel, it's not a bike.
Chris Hoy was indeed on a Brompton, it was the only element of their whole "introduction" that caught my attention.
It's cool to look at but wouldn't it be hard to see ahead on this bike? You'd have to lean out on one side or the other to see ahead clearly and then the wheel itself might block the view to the other side.
Yes, it should be a Monocycle, not a bike. But it falls into the same category as it is a peddled cycle.
It was interesting seeing them all navigate the maze. Some riders were more skilled then others, but all did a great job of handling the tight corners and going up and down the ramps.
I would be interested in hearing more about who built them and what they cost. I would like to try riding one. But would never own one.
That huge wheel would be great on potholes, though!
Great on potholes, true. But they'd be hell to put on the light rail!
Here' s a webpage with info and a photo on these Bejing Chinese monowheels: http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl5.htm#china
The monocycle was designed and built in Xian in China's Shanxi province, and is said to sell for 2,888 Chinese yuan (approx $350).
The British cyclists were supposed to represent the diversity of London with a leisure cyclist, a cycle courier, and a commuter, mingling with the bus to simulate life in London.
The cyclist were...
Victoria Pendleton - Olympic Gold Medalist - Women's Sprint
Jamie Staff - Olympic Gold Medalist - Team Sprint
Chris Hoy - Olympic Gold Medalist (3 Golds) - Sprint - Team Sprint - Keirin
& yes that was a Brompton - it was a black 'S-Type' with the flat handlebars, arguably the most attractive of the three models.
:-)
Kris, a periscope mirror on both side of the bike answers your problems on these monocycle. At least 4 mirrors in 45 degree angle might do best.
It is a unique monocycle. I would like to have one. Can anyone inform me where and how can buy a unit of monocycle.
It is very exciting to ride on moncycle in the farm road. Can anyone tell me where can I have it from China manufacturers.