Eco-Thrills: How New Zealand's Pedal Powered Shweaeb Racer is Redefining Roller Coasters!

Velocity Valley Amusement Park in New Zealand features the unique Shweeb Racer, a human-powered roller coaster.

[{"selector":"#anim-f8717dd4-4174-4567-84dc-80a74deaaa7e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30186330-414e-44fa-946c-4716ca20ba95 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-47.514867461765625%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Photo Source-Google

These aerodynamic racing pods can reach exhilarating speeds of over 30 mph.

[{"selector":"#anim-160f7fd3-cc19-445a-8eda-d5d7d72d0f80 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-2.075827324489452%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3f0d07f-bd70-41ae-a1fa-972389e4dedd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

The Shweeb's name is derived from the German word 'schweben', meaning 'float'.

[{"selector":"#anim-1276b0da-db92-465e-ac5b-64ac83216c25 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.240349225550823%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8b61485-6292-44d6-bf3d-c991f1a7e3e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

Geoffrey Barnett conceptualized the Shweeb after numerous cycling incidents in Tokyo.

[{"selector":"#anim-416f466a-77e1-4c93-b1aa-564eb0c340c5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-43.1127065558648%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1caa9911-8595-4c9d-94ff-88cb71d83dc4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

In 2010, Google granted the Shweeb project a significant US$1m.

[{"selector":"#anim-757a3dfe-4f50-411c-a46a-c32c6d12d7d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-25.8579962235504%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f7a74427-53f7-4272-894b-b0bfc2245fb1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

Despite its promise, the Shweeb's global expansion remained limited to Rotorua.

[{"selector":"#anim-2077e829-da50-42c2-8a86-3ce6186a50eb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.240349225550823%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04f70242-3f8c-41c5-9ef1-ebc73265ffb0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

Today, the Shweeb Racer offers thrill-seekers a unique racing experience at Velocity Valley.

[{"selector":"#anim-3918b9b6-a8b4-4c20-8546-dfcecd8c7178 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-36.10766790890712%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aeb933fd-0d61-47be-a9bb-f4921088a918","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

CNN critically analyzed Google's million-dollar bet on the Shweeb.

[{"selector":"#anim-1776126b-d23c-47db-bb0f-ac1d9ae6e28e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-37.761488797067905%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc48a183-7742-425f-b055-ec71ebeac908","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google

Rotorua remains a hub for 'world firsts' with attractions like the Shweeb.

[{"selector":"#anim-ba84c147-56c0-4c8e-b001-ee742ada96ba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-52.386079489330584%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8981e5a-8179-4bf0-b826-0b6d910c64a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source-Google