The SidewinderReader: Michael KillianMaterials: $100Time: 10 daysResult: Confused spectators–and 100 offers to buy.* See Sideways Bike Runners Up* Submit Your Own DIY ProjectLike a skateboard, the sideways bike positions the rider perpendicular to the direction of travel. While a traditional bike calls on left-to-right balance, moving sideways engages front-to-back balance. And this, says Dubliner Michael Killian, is a good thing. “It has a graceful, dancelike motion, like the Zen of drifting and turning on a snowboard.” Killian salvaged the parts for his creation from standard bikes, with two exceptions: the unicycle seat and the chromemoly steel tubing of the frame, which he custom-ordered. Both the front and rear wheels pivot independently–making steering a bit tricky. But, says Killian: “Humans have a great tolerance for doing similar things with each hand. The less you think, the easier it is.”
