Article Posted on : - Aug 10, 2013

XploreAir Paravelo. Photo: XPLOREAIR

LONDON (PTI): Two UK designers and aviation enthusiasts claim to have developed the world's first flying bicycle that can attain a speed of 40kph and reach 4000 feet above ground.

The bike transforms into an easy-to-operate aircraft which requires no licence to fly and is capable of reaching altitudes of up to 4,000 feet.

The XploreAir Paravelo is a combination of a para wing and conventional bicycle. At the heart of the design is a bicycle that tows a lightweight trailer carrying a powerful fan.

In order to fly, the bike docks with its trailer, a flexible wing is unfurled and an electric starter motor fires up the biofuel-powered fan.

The designers John Foden and Yannick Read aim to raise money for the project on Kickstarter.

The vehicle takes off from any open space and reaches 4,000 feet, and it attain a speed of more than 40kph in the air, according to the Kickstarter website.

The bike works as any ordinary one would until you unfurl the chute and power up the fan.

"Basically, we wanted something we could ride and fly out of our backyard," said Foden.

"With your support, we can take the flying bicycle into production and make the idea fly," said Read in a video ad designed to encourage donations on Kickstarter.

The pair seeks about 50,000 pounds to turn the idea into a product.