Travel round world on electric bike

However, that might soon change if an-out-work restaurant manager is successful in riding a Wisper electric bicycle around the world from Beijing to London, scheduled to arrive in time for the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

The journey being undertake by a 33-year-old Spaniard from Barcelona Guim Valls Teruel,starting from the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing in May will cross five continents concluding three years later in east London.

“I want to spread the message of this incredible invention to all corners of the world,” he said announcing his journey in Beijing, “millions of Chinese people already use them and they can be an important part of a green revolution in the rest of the world.Two years ago,Mr Teruel came to China to manage a restaurant which then folded bought an electric bike – also known as a “pedelec” - when he got fed up with sitting in Beijing’s interminable traffic jams.
Using solar power to recharge his three batteries, Mr Teruel plans to pedal-glide through China, Australia, India, Europe, South America and the east coast of the United States before arriving in England via Ireland.

He added “It’s so easy it feels like you’re floating”.

The electric bike even the folding electric bike – a pedal bicycle which is assisted by a battery-powered motor that makes pedaling feel almost effortless – has caught on with astonishing speed in China, a nation of 450 million push-bike owners.

According to the China Bicycle Association, sales of electric bikes stood at 58,000 in 1998, compared with the 20 million recorded just a decade later in 2008. “350 million Chinese could eventually upgrade to an electric” industry analysts have predicted this.
The e-bike has been much slower to catch on in Europe and America, even though it is has zero emissions, is whisper-quiet and can deliver a commuter to his desk in London or Barcelona without the need for a shower and a change of clothes.