It has been revealed that a new bike is in town – the inflatable bike.

The new bike does not need a pump, a lock or even a pedal and is at the fore front of labour saving technology.

However, such a luxury comes at a cost. The new Boardman road bike cashes in at £500,000, although it is estimated that a full production model would actually sell for around a more realistic £2,000.

The futuristic-looking machine is designed by former racing cyclist, Chris Boardman, and is made from lightweight carbon fibre and features puncture-proof, self-inflating tyres, a battery motor and sound system powered by solar panels.

Bicycle of the future?

If this isn’t enough, it also comes with an in-built lock and cycle computer. This will help reduce increasing bike crime, and in turn could help decrease bike insurance premiums.

Mr Boardman predicts it may take up to 20-years for people to become comfortable with such a radical-looking design.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association, (ETA) agreed that Boardman may have a fight on his hands, when it comes to selling his bike:

"The bicycle is an object of such exquisite simplicity and efficiency that there is perhaps no room for further development. The Boardman bicycle is likely to suffer the fate of most other type of concept vehicle, with slim chance of it going into production."

However, it cannot be argued that the design is truly radical and environmentally friendly. The bike’s in-built locking device is described as "unbreakable" and replaces the need for a key with fingerprint recognition technology.

However, with such an expensive bike, thieves are more likely to target it. Therefore, insurers have urged the need for bike insurance if an individual were to buy the product.

Bike Theft

Expensive bikes are always more prone to theft, therefore police and insurers have warned cyclists to keep their bikes safely secured as three bikes, including one costing £3,600, were stolen in the Ryedale region.

The most expensive was locked to a tree in a camping field at Rosedale abbey. It is a specialised SX Control 2 mountain bike with a khaki frame and Marzochi 888 forks, which are not standard on that type of bike.

It was revealed that the heavy duty lock on the bike had been tampered with. The two other cycle thefts occurred when the bikes were left unsecured.

Sgt Steve Pearce, of Ryedale Police, said bikes and other property should still be made secure and preferably put in a shed or other building to deter opportunistic thieves.

He stated: "The expensive bike was obviously stolen by someone who knew what they were after, but we need to make life as difficult as we can for those involved in opportunistic crimes and so deter people from stealing wherever possible."

Statistics show that over 50% of bikes are stolen in or around the home during burglaries or when the bike is left unattended; therefore insurers have advised cyclists to invest in a heavy duty lock or a wall anchor.