This folding bike concept by British designer Thomas Owen, called "One." Look how it folds into that nicely portable rounded shape, resembling a hatbox with an easy carrying handle. It's so light and packs into such a small size, it's easy to tote into the office or tuck into your car's trunk without even breaking a sweat.
When it's opened up and on the road, Owen calls the bike's design "stylish," but we think it's just strange-looking. That said, it's what's underneath that unusual exterior that really counts, wherein lies a power-assisted system that its maker says is revolutionary, but gives no explanation as to how it works.
Is this mysterious propulsion system run by a flywheel? Rubber bands? Is it electrically power-assisted? Whichever it is, any sort of stored-energy peddling help would be welcome, making this idea even more practical. This is one design concept we'd like to see built.
