Objective
This project, born out of an attention to the new forms of multiple-modality mobility in the city, will make available an effectively portable bicycle.
Such a new minimal vehicle can be used in combination with all other means of transportation, public or private, will help make the urban transit systems more flexible and integrated, resulting in a reduction in the use of the private car.
This project is based on a feasibility study regarding a new type of portable bicycle. The study put on new bases this engineering puzzle, as old as the bicycle itself, and defined a human-powered vehicle weighting 4Kg, respectful of traditional bicycle parameters, able to collapse to standard briefcase size.
Such a vehicle is conceived as a tool to let the commuter mix stretches by train, subway, bus, bicycle and on foot in the same trip; as a means of capillary distribution about the exchange hubs of mass transit; as a tool to widen the notion of walking distance from a few hundred feet to a few miles; as a spare vehicle for the car, incentive to the use of the suburban parking garages.
The project has had vast approval, was exhibited at the EXPO'92 and the 18th Triennale in Milan, obtained a Philip Morris Science Prize, and won the sponsorship of the Italian Environment Ministry, WWF Italy, ENEA (state Energy-sector Research Agency), Pirelli, SNIA Tecnopolimeri (FIAT-Group plastics concern), ANCMA (association of the Italian bicycle producers).
The project will bring into reality the results of the feasibility study, by producing a series of prototypes of the vehicle. An industrilization study will also be completed to help the ready availability of the vehicle to the public.
The prototypes will be field-tested on mass transit lines run by public agencies partners of the project: FS (National Railroads), FNM (Milano Railroads), the Lombardia and Tuscany Regional Governments, the City of Florence.
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
20121 Milano
Italy