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Human power is the greenest way to travel -- if you don't have an engine, then you aren't polluting (well, apart from any manufacturing emissions). Personally we prefer cycling to work, but have seen people commuting on unicycles, roller blades and scooters -- there are obviously a lot of eccentrics in London. That might mean that there's a healthy market for this mad contraption.
Called the Gaus Wheel, but imported to the UK under the name Magic Wheel, it's a cross between a skateboard and a single bicycle wheel. Just as with a skateboard, you push with your feet, and lean to steer. You can also put down one foot to make the wheel spin around quickly. Sound dangerous? That's because it probably is.
On one hand, the big wheel means that a tiny stone won't send you flying through the air like on (or rather, off) a skateboard. On the other, the fact that your feet are so close together (like a skier's) worries us considerably. We have to admit that it does look like fun, though. Check out the promo video on YouTube.
Safety equipment should of course always be a priority, so do as the Gaus Wheel manual says and "always wear a helmet, wrist-, elbow- and knee pads when riding the Wheel." Just like all the people in the promotional videos er...don't.
If you're in the UK you can buy the Magic Wheel for £119 with free postage, and if you order by 3pm on the 21 December, then they guarantee to get it to you in time for Christmas.
07 February 2008 12:18pm
What genius thought of taking the name 'Gaus Wheel', which is certainly distinctive whatever you think of it, and changing it to the generic blandness of 'Magic Wheel'? What IS a 'magic wheel'? It sounds like something plastic you buy in a Pound shop. I bet the people at Segway never thought "ooh, Segway sounds a bit niche, let's call it... I know, the Wonder Thing."
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