Neon (or more likely, fiber optic) framing aside, the Artikcar sounds like it'd actually pretty fun to ride. Powered (obviously) by pedal, the Artikcar is steered by passenger leaning, rather than any kind of hand-control mechanism.

Be the star of your very own rolling neon sign. It's what you've always wanted. [Deezen]

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 Yamaha EC-f was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. It uses a lithium-ion battery, which can be plugged into a regular socket for recharging. They are not making these soon enough. [Dvice]

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]

You can get the basic iBike Rider, a weather-proof case that attaches to your arms with straps, and includes a space for an extra battery, for around $42. It's also available with a matching headset that attaches to the helmet for $85, and with the extra battery the whole thing will set you back $159. All plus shipping from la france. Like the page says: l'iPhone met les gaz! Oh really, well, je suis trop bourrée pour baiser! [iBike Rider]

Well, it's convinced us that the wheels fold up, at least. But when you're weaving in and out of city traffic with just a few pounds of metal and rubber differentiating you from the pavement, that very function will be your primary concern. Trust us. [Treehugger via DVICE]

Talk about mixed signals. But seriously, don't run red lights. As the video says, we humans don't pop back together as easily as Lego minifigs—although that sure would be convenient.

Next up: A Lego PSA for cyclists about how riding through the streets like an entitled asshole will probably get you maimed, killed or at the very least doored by a disgruntled driver. [YouTube via Brothers Brick]

First of all, using a HUD while cycling is inherently dangerous—but the display is retractable, so it's not like an eye is dedicated to it at all times. Plus, the iPhone is actually mounted unprotected on to the top of your helmet. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me, but ARider is in the prototype stage, so there is time to work out the kinks before it becomes an actual product—if it becomes an actual product. [zikkir via Core77 via Slashgear]

The mount is a set of nylon straps that are designed to be fed through the ventilation holes in your helmet, clamping securely on top. It sells for $20.

What's the over/under on how long it takes someone to crash while fumbling for the shutter? [Like Cool via Ubergizmo]

The bike features 2 kegs in the cargo bin along with 25 pounds of ice—but the beer also beer runs through a 50 foot cooling coil to ensure that it reaches your glass ice cold from the tap. It also features a rack designed to hold a stack of pizza boxes and a music system along side the rear tire. Surely, the bike will be a big hit at their upcoming Biketoberfest celebration, but the designers have big plans for its future. They hope to add a second speaker system and a solar array that will power all of the electrical devices—most likely bringing the total weight of this monster to like 800 pounds. Let's hope Lance Armstrong will available to pedal this thing around town. [Flickr and BikePortland via Fark]

Obviously pedaling a bike could generate a lot of electricity. So the BioLogic FreeCharge exploits this phenomenon, sticking a dyno on your wheel that charges a battery-powered USB hub. You plug something (like an iPhone) into the USB and it can recharge in about three hours.

But what makes the idea work is that battery intermediary between the dyno and the hub. By charging a battery that in turn charges your device of choice, the system assures a steady stream of power to whatever is plugged in.

Obviously solar power is another obvious point of energy exploitation for those on bikes, but something about exerting myself to charge my phone really preps my psyche for the days when I'll pedal to power the robot whipping me to pedal to power him. [Bike Hugger via Gadget Lab via DVICE]

Folded, the YikeBike only takes 6 x 23.6 x 23.6 inches (150 x 600 x 600 millimeters) and weighs 22 pounds (10 kilograms), so it can be easily carried around. And while its pneumatic wheels may follow an old high wheeler configuration, according to the manufacturer, this thing is designed to be easy to maneuver, and it's equipped with electronic brakes with built-in anti-skid system.

Would this thing succeed where the Segway failed? Sadly, at $4900, I have a very bad feeling about it. [YikeBike via

The District Carbon is Trek's second bike to feature a belt drive, and it really doesn't skimp on the features. It sports an OCLV Carbon Fiber frame, making it light and strong. And that belt drive cuts the weight even more while staying clean and never stretching or breaking. But yeah, $3,360. When are Huffys gonna get these things? [Trek]

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]

Weighing in at 42 pounds (still way heavy compared to most bikes, let alone peak gear) and charging in 3.5 hours, Sanyo's CY-SPK227 electric bike (the first carbon fiber model in the world) achieves 62 miles of assisted motor range through an integrated lithium ion battery and dynamo-based recharging that kicks in whenever you cruise downhill or brake.

Of course, all of this fancy blacknerness comes at a price: $6,700 when it hits Japan October 1st. For that much, we might prefer to indulge in a full-out electric motorcycle. But if Batman chooses to chase down the Riddler on this thing just so he has a change at shacking up with Poison Ivy and her posse of Greenpeace sidewalk solicitors, so be it. [Sanyo via CrunchGear]

I'm not sure how it's going to do either, but I like the muscles we're exercising.

They're heroically flexing their metaphorical creative retail muscles, so you don't have to flex your real ones. Anyway, the trial is happening in Washington, Oregon and California for now, so stop by to snag a test ride around the appliances section. [WSJ]