Mangalorean lad makes waves with 'amphibian cycle'

Mangalore, Jul 31: What began as a fun, do-it-yourself experimental project for young Ahmed Rizauddin, the 'Amphibian cycle' is certainly attracting a lot of attention in the city now.

For, the young boy has designed and prepared a bicycle which floats and moves on water! Although the concept may not be entirely novel, it is clearly an example of ingenuity shown by the 15-year-old lad.

Several interested onlookers gathered at Mangala Stadium swimming pool here on Tuesday, to witness the launch of the 'water-bicycle' designed by Rizauddin.

Rizauddin is currently studying in Class 10 at Infant Jesus Joyland English Medium High School where the water-bicycle was designed, produced and fabricated by him, with some help from his friends. The headmistress and teachers of the school were in full praise for the boy, who they said had also designed several small gadgets in the past.

In every annual science exhibition held in the school, Rizauddin bagged the first place for his models. His thinking is innovative and beyond his age, said his primary teacher Vijaya Diwakar Rao.

Residents of Jeppu, the family of Rizauddin feels extremely proud of his contraption. His father Abdul Raheem, who is in the construction business, said that Rizauddin asked him for a bicycle about seven months ago, after which the boy began working on the contraption and perfecting it.

It consists of stainless steel, iron rods and two inflatable lorry tyre tubes which hold the bicycle afloat. While steering of the bicycle in the water may be a problem without a rudder, Rizauddin has provided a covering on one side of the bicycle's front wheel to ease its steering.

Watching Rizauddin ride the bicycle on water for the first time on Tuesday, his mother Asma was overcome with pride and emotion at the accomplishment of her son. He wishes to be a scientist one day, she tells proudly.

The water-bicycle was displayed at the science exhibition held recently at Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, where it was selected to be exhibited at state-level.

It could be noted here that similar amphibious bicycle contraptions modified to ride on both water and land have been designed and used in other parts of the world such as Britain, China and Italy before.

An amphibious bicycle had been invented as early as 1932 by a French inventor in Paris. It had also been created by a Mohammad Saidullah in Bihar in 1975.