USB-equipped urban bikes can charge mobile devices

German bicycle maker Silverback has recently launched two bikes with built-in USB ports that can charge devices as the rider pedals.

With so many gadgets and mobile devices in common use today, keeping them all charged has become an ongoing challenge. We’ve already seen numerous efforts to help consumers do just that in taxis and at festivals, for example, but recently we came across a new approach targeting urban cyclists. Specifically, German bicycle maker Silverback has recently launched two bikes with built-in USB ports that can charge devices as the rider pedals. As part of Silverback’s 2012 Starke line for city use, the Starke 1 and 2 models both come equipped with a built-in USB port. As cyclists pedal, energy is generated by the bike’s front-mounted dynamo hub, which can then be used to charge GPS units, smartphones, MP3 players and other low-voltage devices via the bike’s USB port. Also powered by the dynamo is the bicycle’s lighting system, according to a report on Wired. Pricing and availability have yet to be announced. There’s no end in sight to the rise in popularity of either bicycles or gadgets, making Silverback’s innovation a match made in heaven. Other bike makers around the globe: what about you? Spotted by: Alice Revel