This Smart Wheel Makes Cycling in the City a Breeze - Circles Tech

As city planners and green-energy experts endeavor to find new ways to make our commutes more environmentally friendly, the popularity of bicycle-sharing has exploded in some of the world’s biggest cities. Now a new device promises to make riding around the city even more convenient by adding a smart wheel to your bicycle.

The FlyKly Smart Wheel is a circular device that provides an electric-powered pedal assist after you attach it to the back wheel of your bicycle. Once you start peddling, the motor in the FlyKly starts up, and begins making the ride easier by delivering a boost, depending on your speed. Check out the video, above, to see it in action.

To operate the FlyKly, you simply set a top speed on the device’s app, which is compatible with iOS and Android devices, as well as the Pebble smart watch. The app and device combination also acts as a GPS tracker for your bike in the event it gets stolen.

With the ability to travel up to 20 miles per hour for up to 30 miles, the FlyKly is powered by a lithium battery that can be fully recharged via any common electrical outlet in just two to three hours. In addition to its quick recharge functions, the lightweight device gets a charge when you ride downhill.

Years ago, some of us thought the Segway might be the game-changing vehicle that would transform the way cities are built. But it turns out that just a small tweak to an existing invention may be all the transportation innovation we need.

FlyKly launched a Kickstarter campaign, and is already nearly halfway to its $100,000 goal. Early adopters can snag the device for $550, and should expect it to arrive some time in May 2014.