Wooden Dutch Motorbike Runs on Algae

Adesigner from the Netherlands, Ritzert Mans, and scientist Peter Muiž have built a wooden motorcycle that runs on fuel which is derived from the processing of algae.

"The main task in front of me was to find natural material for each part of the motorcycle," Mans said. The frame and seat of his motorcycle are made of steamed bentwood with hemp fiber, strengthened with reinforced attachments for a two-point headset. The construction was fastened with ordinary wood glue. The motorcycle has a single-cylinder fuel "engine" of 500 cubic centimetre volume. Energy for the bike is provided by "oil from microalgae" and is driven by a belt on the steering wheel.

"Algae oil has certain advantages: algae participates in photosynthesis, and through a certain process can convert CO2 into oil," says Mans.

He added that the motorcycle pictured, and presented to the public, is not the final version, but just a working prototype, since work on the final version is not complete.

Dimitri Dolaberidze