Alright, this does seem a bit too sci-fi for our world. But something about it is also very appealing, and people are taking notice. Inhabitat reports that Google just invested $1.05 million into Shweeb's bike monorail system, in which cyclists ride in clear tubes attached to monorail track, pedaling themselves along at relatively high speeds. The system is currently in place in New Zealand, where it is viewed as a sort of extreme activity. However, the company hopes to expand the system to urban applications, where commuters could use it in large numbers to get from point A to point B. With further funding and R&D, the pedal-powered monorail could be in your city soon.
– Mitchell Flexo