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Flame-thrower bike unveiled
A ''James Bond'' bike, complete with flame-thrower and ejector seat, has been designed to protect cyclists.
Published: 10:37AM BST 29 Sep 2010
Named the BOND (Built of Notorious Deterrents) Bike, the cycle is the creation of insurer ilovemybike.co.uk Photo: PA
The bike, to be displayed at next week's Cycle Show at Earls Court in London, also boasts a caterpillar track for smooth riding over potholed roads. Named the BOND (Built of Notorious Deterrents) Bike, the cycle is the creation of insurer ilovemybike.co.uk, which was inspired to build it after asking 800 cyclists to state their least favourite aspect of life on two wheels.
The flame-thrower was included as 52% of cyclists named ''cars and lorries passing too close'' as their number one complaint. So the bike's handlebars are fitted with a specially-designed flame-thrower to fire towards vehicles that get too close. A quarter cited poor road conditions such as potholes as a problem, so the bike is fitted with an all-terrain caterpillar track in place of its rear wheel.
With 7% worried most about their bicycle being stolen, the bike is fitted with an ejector seat to catch out any thief that gets past a conventional lock. Also, 2% of respondents felt cold weather conditions were the most irksome aspect of cycling, so the bike carries a ski blade that can be interchanged with the front wheel.
Andrew Davis, director at ilovemybike.co.uk, said: ''Wannabe James Bonds will be disappointed to hear that we have no plans to sell the BOND Bike, but it shouldn't be necessary for cyclists to resort to flame-throwers to get a little consideration on the roads.''
