Lightweight bicycle made from Celstran® LFT increases radius of mobility

Practical and usually orange – such were the folding bicycles in the street scene of the 1970s in Germany. Now they are making a comeback in a more modern form that reflects the spirit of the age and takes account of new technological developments as well as comfort and safety standards. The next step is already waiting in the wings. A new generation of folding bicycles could soon be produced with a frame made of high-quality plastic instead of metal or aluminum. Alessandro Belli, an Italian designer, has developed the first all-plastic bicycle, which is impressively lightweight and easy to manage.

The folding bicycle of the future is incredibly light. Because the stable frame is produced from a high-performance thermoplastic, it tips the scales at just four kilograms. That’s why the new generation of bicycles could soon become inseparable from their owners – especially as they are hardly any larger than a briefcase when folded. Measuring just 48x36x12 centimeters, the first all-plastic bicycle will fit into the trunk of any car or into your hand luggage on trains or planes. When you reach your destination, the bicycle can be unfolded ready for use in next to no time, guaranteeing fast, ecofriendly mobility. The important requirement here is that the bicycle should be absolutely reliable. And that means the plastics used must perform to the highest level.

That is no problem for Celstran. The bicycle frame made from this 40 per cent long fiber reinforced thermoplastic withstands the rigors of transport and use without any damage – no matter how often the bicycle is ridden and folded up again. "For this development, only one material was sufficiently load-bearing, lightweight and splinterproof," explained Alessandro Belli, founder and chief executive officer of the Italian design company, Tecnologie Urbane, which designed the all-plastic bicycle. Another advantage of Celstran is its excellent mechanical property profile, which is retained over a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions.

This is particularly important once it goes into industrial production. "Before the prototype is ready for industrial-scale production, not only the weight but also price, performance and quality must be right," added Belli. Then, numerous future users of the new lightweight bicycle will be able to cover the distance to their destination at speeds ranging from three to 15 kilometers per hour. Car manufacturers and their marketing experts are already thinking about offering the lightweight folding bicycle as an option or even as standard equipment on cars. Their goal is to increase the radius of mobility for car drivers. After all, the most beautiful spots are far from the road.