A bike that helps kids ‘to learn cycling in an hour’

Known as the Gyrowheel system,is the product of several years of research and could be in shops by next year. “Gyrowheel is the only product of its kind. It will change how people learn to ride bikes,” CEO Daniella Reichstetter was quoted by the ‘Daily Mail’ as saying.

The Gyrowheel system has three stability settings – high,medium and low. As a rider’s skills and confidence improve,the stability setting can be adjusted.

The wheel is the same size as an ordinary one but,instead of spokes,has a circular housing which contains an independently spinning disc powered by a rechargeable battery.

When switched on,this inner disc speeds up and spins independently of the outside wheel.

As the disc spins at high speed it creates a strong force that keeps the wheel upright. So,for example,if the bike begins to topple,the gyroscope compensates by leaning the wheel in the opposite direction. It works in a similar way to a child’s spinning top,which is also a type of gyroscope.

California-based Gyrobike’s marketing boss Ashleigh Harris said: “Our prototypes knocked the socks off parents whose kids tested Gyrowheel,and the real thing is ten times better.”