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China’s largest bike-sharing app Ofo considering ‘smog-free’ bicycles

Daan Roosegaarde tells World Economic Forum that bike-sharing site Ofo is interested in his concept, and also that his ‘Smog-Free Towers’ could be in production by year end

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This illustration shows how bikes can be fitted with a screen on their handlebars, that absorb the surrounding dirty air and purifies it as you cycle. The pedalling powers the screen. Photo: Studio Roosegaarde
Zheng Yangpengin Beijing

Dutch innovator and designer Daan Roosegaarde says he is in talks with China’s largest bike-sharing app, Ofo, to launch bicycles that can suck pollutants from the atmosphere, creating what he claims is “smog-free” cycling.

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The plan is just an idea at the moment, Roosegaarde told a panel discussion at this year’s Dalian World Economic Forum in Dalian, but said it had sparked the interest of Dai Wei, the founder and CEO of Ofo, and Fan Ling, founder and CEO of Tesign, a platform that pools design and creative talent.

Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde. Photo: Handout
Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde. Photo: Handout

Roosegaarde has drawn up designs, that show a bike that can be fitted with a screen on the handlebar, that absorbs the surrounding dirty air and purifies it as you cycle, blowing out clear air. The pedalling powers the screen.

The Dutchman is also showing off what he claims is the largest air purifier in the world at the event – a seven-metre high, office-shaped tower unit, that is being designed for public spaces.

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His “Smog-free Tower” uses ozone-free technology that can efficiently capture smog particles in the air. It has a capacity of cleaning 30,000 cubic metres of air per hour, he claims. It can even could turn a one-kilometer diameter ring of haze, into a one-centimeter diameter ring of condensed particulate, that people can wear.

Daan Roosegaard in front of his “Smog-Free Tower”. Photo: Studio Roosegaarde
Daan Roosegaard in front of his “Smog-Free Tower”. Photo: Studio Roosegaarde
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