Impossible Object #33: Pedal-less, Seat-less bicycle

At first I thought this was absurd – a pedal-less, seat-less bike, where you ride underneath the frame? – but on closer, more open-minded examination it looks a striking idea…

It’s the FLIZ bike – as in ‘flies’, presumably – which ‘represents an expansion of urban mobility for different users’ (I am Google translating from the original German). Check out more info here >>

Tom Hambrock and Juri Spetter write:

The prior aim of developing FLIZ was to bring a completely new driving experience to everyone. Based on the very first bike – the “Laufrad” – we created a velocipede concept of healthy, ecological mobility in overcrowded urban space. Its laminated, innovative frame with 5 point belt system provides a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking. The frame integrates the rider and due to its construction it works both like a suspension and like a top carrier whereas the belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position.

The reference to the first bike involves the work of Baron Karl von Drais, and his ‘walking machine’.

Thanks to CBCNews for this one.

Previous Impossible Objects we’ve covered:

• the Lego bridge

• the Escher font

• the “Still Life” art that falls over

• the table with two legs

• the Doll’s House computer
• the parallel of time clock

• the upside down buildings
• the wall-sized light switch
• the liquid table
• the liquid lamp
• the foetal bed

the flying carpet sofa

the electric butterflies

the wall stairs

the other dimension storage

the Colt electric guitar

the piano stairs

the clock that draws the time

the pocket light folding bulb

the shattering door

the wooden mirror

the inside-out salt shaker

the Wingdings keyboard

the door lock maze

the dark lamp the global chess board the curved keyboard the implausible plug

the infinite tap
the simplified calculator
the electric hammer
the signature coffee pot