World's First Flying Bicycle 'Paravelo' Unveiled [Photos & Video]

British company claims to have designed a foldable flying bike that can travel 25 miles per hour  in the air. London-based XploreAir designed the "Paravelo," a bicycle that transforms into a flying machine.

The bike is attached to a trailer that holds a flexible wing and a biofuel-powered fan. On land, the Paravelo can travel 15 mph. But once the wing is unfurled and an electric starter motor spurs the powerful fan into action, the bike "can take-off from any open ground clear of obstructions" and fly at speeds up to 25 mph for three hours the amount of time that its creators estimate for fatigue.



Before you fantasize about coasting above all the traffic, be aware that the Paravelo still hasn't reached mass production. There's no clear verdict on the safety of this invention, either, despite its built-in GPS tracker and strobe handlebars. However, XploreAir claims the Paravelo is easy to operate, doesn't require a license and "heralds an era of safe, practical and affordable personal flight."

XploreAir designers Yannick Read and John Foden are trying to raise $74,200 on Kickstarter  the equivalent of roughly 12million Naira  to take the design into full-scale production.

Would you buy a flying bike or do you think it's unnecessary? Share your thoughts in the comments.