Three young entrepreneurs claim to have invented the world's first "unstealable" bike. The "Yerka" forms a lock out of its own frame.<br />
Three young entrepreneurs claim to have invented the world's first "unstealable" bike. The "Yerka" forms a lock out of its own frame.
Courtesy Yerka Project/Rodolfo Lagos
The three Chileans -- Andrés Roi Eggers, 23, Juan José Monsalve, 24, and Cristóbal Cabello, 22, invented the bike while they were still studying engineering at university. They left their courses to pursue the project full time.
The three Chileans -- Andrés Roi Eggers, 23, Juan José Monsalve, 24, and Cristóbal Cabello, 22, invented the bike while they were still studying engineering at university. They left their courses to pursue the project full time.
Courtesy Yerka Project/Rodolfo Lagos
The Yerka's down tube splits in two and allows the seat tube to be inserted, creating a lock out of the frame. The only way to steal it is to break the lock, and therefore the bike.
The Yerka's down tube splits in two and allows the seat tube to be inserted, creating a lock out of the frame. The only way to steal it is to break the lock, and therefore the bike.
Courtesy Yerka Project/Rodolfo Lagos
The locking operation takes only 10 seconds, according to the Yerka team. The wheels are secured with nuts that only the owner has a key to.
The locking operation takes only 10 seconds, according to the Yerka team. The wheels are secured with nuts that only the owner has a key to.
Courtesy Yerka Project/Rodolfo Lagos
Almost 200 bikes have been sold via a worldwide crowdfunding campaign, with a further 100 on order for sale in Chile. The entrepreneurs are seeking $1 million in investment to take the product global from 2017.
Almost 200 bikes have been sold via a worldwide crowdfunding campaign, with a further 100 on order for sale in Chile. The entrepreneurs are seeking $1 million in investment to take the product global from 2017.
Courtesy Yerka Project/Rodolfo Lagos