Honda unveils cyclist-friendly concept car (+ picture gallery)

Honda has unveiled a concept car that has been designed very much with cyclists in mind – it can even double as a mobile maintenance centre, with a retractable workstand.

Appearing at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Honda Civic Tourer Active Life Concept can transport two road bikes without the need for racks on the roof or the tailgate.

Instead, there’s what the car manufacturer, sponsor of the Wiggle-Honda team, terms a “smart loading rack” which, with the rear seats down and the front wheels of the bikes removed, stows them inside the vehicle.

Inside the lining of the boot, you’ll find a toolbox, bottle holder, water tank and holders for the front wheels of the bike.

Other cyclist-friendly features include an air pump built into the vehicle, a large light to the rear and an extended shade are as well as a retractable bench.

There’s also an aero roof box specifically designed to hold items such as cycling shoes and helmets.

Away from cycle-specific aspects, the car’s appearance is designed to reflect “the sporty and active lifestyle of the customer,” says Honda.

There’s no word of if or when the car may make it into production, but to underline its environment-friendly credentials, Honda will also be displaying its Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC, which shares the same engine.

That car now hold the Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency, in June averaging 100.31 miles per gallon in a 25-day, 13,498 kilometre drive through 24 EU countries.