The 700 LED lights on this particular city's Christmas tree are not connected to any sort of traditional power outlet, instead relying completely on volunteers pushing the pedals of some stationary bicycles. It's certainly environmentally friendly, but will they seriously manage to consistently keep 15 people working out? [CNET]

If the shape didn't tip you off, let me explain: Like those golf bag-shaped monstrosities you see on airport luggage turnstiles from time-to-time, the AeroTech is shaped like a collapsed bike. Because it's meant to transport bikes in airplanes.

There's room for two detached tires/wheels and the frame, the pedals, and space for other cycling goodies. Just be sure you're carting around one of those lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber bikes in this thing—steel frame Huffy's need not apply. [Core77 via Likecool via Design Blog]

The idea is to teach kids how to bike safely by placing them in a variety of real-world scenarios like "going to school", "going to the grocery store", and the like. Targeted for driving schools and educational institutions, Japanese parents can spend some time with their child learning the basics without having to worry for their safety. After a few years, they just might be ready to go outside on a real bike with a helmet and a cocoon of bubble wrap on. [Far East Gizmos via Coolest Gadgets via DVICE]

The LEDs are super bright, and a built-in lithium polymer battery keeps them juiced for about 60 hours. At that point the Spooklight comes off the bike and charges via USB. And this is pretty cool: it will also charge your gadgets (like MP3 players and cellphones) while you're on the road.

£55 ($88) is on the pricey side, given you can still just wave your arm to change lanes, but if you ride about at night quite often, it could be a good investment in your own safety. Either way, points for the clever use of the three-axis accelerometer. [50Cycles via Wired]

And it's all thanks to this ingenious gyro-equipped bike wheel. Like the Seqway before it, the Gyrowheel uses, well, a gyro, to maintain balance long enough so that a child can comfortably get the feel for bike riding—without those tiny little wheels messing with their self-esteem.

As you can see in the video, even with a few slaps on the side the wheel remains upright. I too was skeptical at first, but when the video depicted a bike "ghost riding" across the exhibit floor, I was sold and my childhood was immediately envious.

The 12-inch Gyrowheel will drop on December 1, while a 16-inch version should arrive by Spring 2010. [Gyrowheel via OhGizmo]

JFK had it right, "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." [Core77]

Corrected: The father and son team of Ken and Stuart Wheeler designed this gorgeous bike, not Sean Denham.

The Pulse is the brainchild of design firm Teague. Sure, it's packed with clever lights built into the handlebars, a motorcycle-like turn signal system and counterweighted pedals that never flip upside down. But the Pulse's pièce de résistance is clearly its triangular glowing center (that's still visible from the front or rear of the bike). I mean, if a driver runs you over on the Pulse, they were obviously trying to.

Unfortunately, the Pulse is just a concept. The real world hasn't the capacity for so much awesomeness. [PageGangster via Core77 via Treehugger]

As you might expect, the design is only a concept at the moment. I mean, nobody would actually be dumb enough to produce something like this right? Uh...right? [Designboom via Wired via Likecool]

Designed by a 24-year-old student from London, the bike's claim to greatness is its ability to fold within the circumference one of its wheels. He claims he designed it because he "couldn't find a folding bicycle I liked," and he "wanted something that could take a bit of punishment and that you could have fun with." I'm with him until the "take a bit of punishment" part, because this thing looks about as trailworthy as a collapsible lawn chair.

You might also notice that the pedals don't seem to be connected to anything, and, well, you'd be right. As someone who has watched this breakdown clip about 30 times, completely mesmerized, I'm going to say that's a minor technicality. [Sky News]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.As you remember, Lightlane was just a very clever concept in a design competition. Apparently the response was so overwhelming from bicyclists all over the world that the inventors actually decided to make it into a commercial product.

Apart from the "super-bright red LEDs," LightLane uses two high visibility Diode-Pumped Solid State green lasers to draw a path that "protects" the biker on the street. Yes, it won't protect bikers as much as if it used Boeing's missile-destroying laser, but it will be a great alert for drivers in poor lit roads. Not to talk about the psychological deterrent factor of seeing the bicyclist's safety space marked on the asphalt. Lightlane via Coolhunting]

This twin engine produces 100lbs of thrust by burning a mix of gasoline and kerosene—no need for jet fuel. Consisting of two 50lb engines that can each reportedly thrust a bike forward at 75mph, nothing but trouble can await those who install this twice-as-powerful, 140 decibel engine that glows "red hot" while burning 1.5 gallons of fuel per mile.

Buy your pulsejet engine now on eBay for $1200, or make a lowball offer and spend the rest on life insurance. You really can't go wrong. [eBay via OregonLive via Gizmowatch]The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

It happened in the city of Zamora, Spain—where else—this weekend. For more than one hour, the movie played—in the words of one of the witness, Francisco Guarido, a baffled city official—"with unsuspected sharpness" to mixed reactions in a crowd that kept getting bigger and bigger by the minute.

Many people laughed, like the policewoman who came first alerted by the official. In fact, she couldn't stop her laughter as she alerted the police station via radio. More people and police agents kept congregating, many laughing, some enjoying with eyes glued to the screen, some scandalized but also with eyes glued to the screen, others reprimanding the city official who was there. Two old women shouted at Guarido, blaming him for the indecent show.

After an hour of public moaning, jiggling, and skirting—yes, I love my country. I hate it most of the time, but others I love it—the police agents ended the show by taping two paper sheets to the screen. Later, the company responsible for the public kiosk turned off the movie. The city official said that the security of the computer system used for this task was "fragile." He really meant "crap." [El Mundo—In Spanish]

The bottom line is you won't catch me riding one of these monstrosities anytime soon. Although I can't help but love the bike paddleboat and the frat boy-powered tank pictured above. Just put a pink basket and some streamers on those things and you are good to go. Hit the following link to check out the rest of the list. [Matadorlife]

The handlebars and body of the bike can rotate around to accommodate different angles of the poles and racks the lock latches onto. Sounds like it would be a quite handy concept, but I'm sure the idea of lugging around a chain lock won't be so bad once you realize your tires have gone missing... again. [Yanko]

The trike features a number-pad in the center of the handlebars, presumably to control the cameras (dangerous while riding!). We're not really sure what advantages the pedal-powered vehicle would have over a car, besides possibly a smaller footprint, allowing it to reach alleys or park paths. Mostly, we're just impressed that anybody short of a Tour de France competitor has the strength to pedal it; it must weigh a ton! [Thanks, Jason!]

Luckily for the kids, the Taga trike stroller comes with a range of custom safety options and accessories, like the pictured double child seat, car seat, basket, and wooden double-seat trailer. Oh, and it transforms from trike to stroller in a few seconds, which is actually incredibly innovative and convenient. I'm going to go ahead and assume you take little Timmy out first.

The 44 to 64-lb. Taga kit tops off with a Shimano gear system (found on most mid-range bicycles), as well as front, rear, and parking brakes. The whole kit folds down to car trunk size. Again, take Timmy out first.

Europe only for now with a sky-high $2,500 base price. [Taga via Treehugger via DVICE]

The impressive range is accomplished, Sanyo says, by a battery that recharges itself on downhill stretches or when the cyclist brakes.

There's also that big honkin' basket on the front, capable of carrying more than 20 pounds (perfect for a chance encounter with an animatronic alien), but that has little to do with the batteries. Sadly, there is no little bell to ring when you arrive with a delivery.

The bike is, unsurprisingly, being marketed to courier and maintenance companies for about $1,300 (Japan only). That may sound expensive to some, but if you really hate pedaling or doing more work than is absolutely necessary, like I do, it might not be so bad. [CrunchGear]

Gizmag says the Gocycle can travel 20 miles on a three hour charge, and can function as a normal, electric-free bike with the push of a button. The bike is also the world's first bike to feature a fully-enclosed, multi-gear drive system (3 gears). This means you won't get grease and other crap all over your clothes. When it's time to pack up the Gocycle, it fits within the dimensions of 65x54x26cm, letting you store it somewhere unassuming.

Manufacturer Karbon Kinetics Limited says they plan to sell the bike direct to consumers throughout the UK next month for between $900 and $2500. Apparently delivery location dictates the cost of the bike. Be sure to check out more images over at Gizmag. [Gocycle via Gizmag]

He'll be back on a training bike in a few days, with his chances for the Tour in July still up in the air. Feel better, Lance. Have them install some synthetic muscles in there while you're recovering. [SFgate, Deadspin, Twitter, Twitpic]