Smog-Free Bicycles Might Soon Become a Real Thing in Beijing
By Justine Lopez
Remember that insanely giant air purifier that was being tested out in Beijing’s 798 Art District last year? The two-story tower was part of the Smog Free Project, the brainchild of Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde.
The Smog Free Tower
Well Roosegaarde is at it again. But this time around the idea is smog-free bicycles. The artist is not only tapping into Beijing’s history as a “city of bicycles,” but he is also playing on the massive trend of bike-sharing that has swept over many Chinese cities in the past year, including Beijing.
“Beijing used to be an iconic bicycle city. We want to bring back the bicycle as a cultural icon of China and as the next step towards smog free cities.” Roosegaarde said.
The Smog Free Bicycle is still its first planning stages. However, much like the Smog Free Tower, the bike will work as an air purifier. Once the cyclist starts pedaling, the bike will suck in smoggy air, filter out pollutants and release clean air. The result will be fresh, breathable air for the cyclist.
Roosegaarde also hopes the Smog Free Bicycle will help to reduce traffic, congestion and pollution in Beijing.
The idea for the Smog Free Bicycle was hatched in Beijing at M Woods during a Studio Roosegaarde workshop. The event was attended by Professor Yang of Tsinghua University and artist Matt Hope who have been tinkering with the idea of creating an air purifying bicycle for the past few years.
Thanks to Roosegaarde it looks like the idea might soon become a reality.
[Image via Inhabitat.com]
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