The Sky Cycle

Arizona Science Center's newest attraction: The SkyCycle The center recently installed the $200,000 Evans Family SkyCycle, which allows visitors to ride on a wire 14 feet in the air. Richard Higgins, guest-experience assistant manager, explains some of the physics behind how the bike works. The secret is the center of mass, which is the balance point of the rider, bike and counterweight all together. Riders must be under 225 pounds and able to reach the pedals. Also, riders must wear shoes that are strapped on (no flip flops, crocs, etc.). For safety reasons, riders are harnessed to the back of the bike The bike has a special wheel frame, which curves on both sides of the cable. Even if the bike swings to either side, the cable and the wheel never detach. The counter- The cable is 14 -inch-thick weight is 3 feet 7 inches below the cable. It is far steel and approximately 90 feet long. enough below the cable that the center of mass is also below the cable, making hard for the rider above it to come off. Counterweight is 350 pounds. Total ride weighs about 650 pounds. Just in case, a safety net is placed under the bike. Source: Arizona Science Center PATRICIA LAPADULA/THE REPUBLIC