"But there are also a variety of extra functions hidden within the hub of the Copenhagen Wheel. By using a series of sensors and a Bluetooth connection to the user's iPhone, which can be mounted on the handlebars, the wheel can monitor the bicycle's speed, direction and distance traveled, as well as collect data on air pollution and even the proximity of the rider's friends."

So if they hook this thing into Foursquare anything's possible right? The wheel also uses a technology similar to a kinetic energy recovery system - so storing energy to help push the bike up hills - a thing I tend to frown upon because at the end of the day it's kind of cheating, but hell if it gets more bums on bikes and less cars on the road I'm all for it. And being the data nerd that I am what you'd be able to do with the analytics collected from these wheels would be fairly awesome.

"One of the applications that we have discussed with the City of Copenhagen is that of an incentive scheme whereby citizens collect Green Miles — something similar to frequent flyer miles, but good for the environment," says Christine Outram, who led the team of MIT researchers."

Massachusetts Institute of Technology