Don’t drink and ride. Alcoho-Lock stops you doing just that!
Created by KOOWHO, the bike lock is designed to stop cyclists under the influence from riding while drunk.
Alcoho-Lock includes a Bluetooth connection and an alcohol sensor, and works with a free dedicated Android phone app. You breathe onto the lock and your phone displays the amount of alcohol detected. You can then unlock your bike using the app interface. You can still unlock your bike even if you have been drinking, but the display suggests you don’t ride your cycle but instead push it home.
Even better, if booze is detected, Alcohol-Lock also sends an alert to a pre-registered partner’s phone. Then it’s up to them to call or otherwise prevent their partner from riding home drunk — to “convince them with the power of love”, as KOOWHO puts it.
Alcoho-Lock is set to go on sale later in the year by request only, priced between ¥30-40,000 ($240-320).
In Japan, it is common for cyclists in cities to ride home after drinking alcohol. However, police have been tightening up the rules and checks on dangerous cycling lately, including a new law in June.
We’ve also seen Bluetooth smart locks in Japan before but this is a new development. The creators claim it is the first design of its kind in the world.
