New folding bicycle is true contortionist

Recent Royal College of Art graduate Dominic Hargreaves is gaining a reputation for his imaginative cycling-related designs.

Following his award-winning ultimate cycle lock Hargreaves’s most recent project is a full-size bicycle that can be wheeled along when folded. It has been shortlisted for the James Dyson Award for student designers.

The ‘Contortionist’ has hinges along its aluminium frame allowing it to fold in on itself. Its two full-size wheels remain free, so the folded bike can be wheeled along using the handlebar. This allows it to be carried on to the Tube, buses and taxis.

The prototype shown is intended to use hydraulics instead of the traditional chain; oil pumped inside tubes through the frame of the bike powers the back wheel, doing away with the oil and grease that comes with chains. A production model could use a more conventional chain or belt drive

Cheap insurance for folding bikes

Cycle insurance from the ETA offers a 40 per cent discount for folding bicycles of all kinds. Every policy includes new-for-old replacement and accidental damage (including at race events), third party insurance (in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else), personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and get you.