Crowdfunding campaign launched for "World's Safest Bike"

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched for what is claimed to be “the World’s Safest Bike,” the veliSo Mirage ARAS, with its designers setting out a goal that no cyclist will be killed or injured while using it.

Developed by Vélo Capital Partners, based in Lyon, France, the bike employs a so-called Advanced Rider Assistance System, which can also be retrofitted to existing bikes.

In a press release, the company said:

It will provide collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic electronic tire pressure management and optimum braking control and stopping power with anti-lock braking.

The véliSo Mirage ARAS will be enabled by the world’s first brake by wire unit, world’s first electronic tire pressure management unit, world’s first 360° sensor array unit and world’s first central control unit (CCU).

The company, which aims to be mainly an OEM supplier to brands in the bicycle industry, is seeking $500,000 in funding through its campaign on Indiegogo, which launched today.

Rewards on offer to backers comprise:

$175 – véliSo V-AM1.2 Electronic Tire Pressure Management System

$375 – véliSo Brake by Wire Unit

$475 – veliSo Mirage ARAS V-AM2 Lite, comprising brake by wire unit, sensor array unit and central control unit

$675 – véliSo V-AM1.3 Sensor Array Unit. Includes front and rear sensor array units radar, camera and ultrasound sensors with electronic control unit for collision and blind spot warning

$775 – Full véliSo Mirage ARAS V-AM1 Retrofit Kit, including brake by wire unit, electronic tire pressure management unit, sensor array unit and central control unit

$6,775 – véliSo V-1 e-Assist Commuter Bike with Fully Integrated Mirage ARAS.

Patrick Keating, managing director of Vélo Capital Partners, said: “Since 2012 we’ve been focused on innovation in the global cycling industry.

“In 2015 we decided to form véliSo to focus on solving the problems we identified in CYCLING 4.0 with intelligent solutions.

“These problems require advanced technology with a convergence of electronics, software and telecommunications driven by advanced algorithms.”