Space powered bicycle

In the Netherlands 25% bicycle to work, another 25% would like to, but don't due to the limited speed, the lack of comfort and the compromised professional appearance, according to Dutch research. Having to leave earlier and then arriving sweaty, wet and tired at work is a no go for many.

Now there is a smart solution in sign for the “would like 25%”.

Thanks to the use of a special power conditioning technology developed by ESA for controlling and optimising the electricity use on satellites, the ESA Business Incubation Centre Noordwijk's start-up company Elbibi is developing an innovative electric commuting bicycle which will overcome some of the shortcomings of ordinary bicycles.

Elbibi will make it possible for commuters to cycle comfortable and fast, up to 45km/h, on their way to the job. They still have the health advantage of bicycling and the practical advantage of better mobility with easy free parking and avoiding traffic jams. In addition Elbibi is better for the environment with less CO2 emission than cars and motorbikes.

Elbibi is basically an advanced bicycle with a protecting rain cover and an electric engine which helps the driver to maintain good speed also uphill and during periods not pedalling. Up to 45km/h can even be achieved thanks to the special gear system and combining the power of the engine with the driver pedalling. The electricity for the engine is generated while pedalling and stored in batteries.

The heart of the solution is the special power conditioning unit (PDU) developed by ESA. On satellites the PDU optimises the power consumption also when it is necessary to compensate for lack of electricity from the solar cells during flight periods without sunlight.

Elbibi uses this PDU to deal efficiently with the periods when the driver is not pedalling and no electricity is generated, and the periods when the cyclist is pedalling and generating electricity.

More about Elbibi here

More about ESA's Business Incubation Centres here