How to beat the rush hour traffic, Romanian style! Teenage inventor straps jet engine to his mountain bike



Inventor Raul Oaida, 19, strapped his self-built jet engine to his bike and took to the road in Romania



The teenager, who spent three years developing the engine, clocked up a top speed of 26 miles per hour during a successful road test







A cheap and convenient mode of transport, the advantages to travelling by bicycle are numerous.

But what if you're in a real hurry to get somewhere?

That shouldn't pose a problem to teenage inventor Raul Oaida, who has developed a jet engine capable of propelling his mountain bike to speeds of up to 26 miles per hour on a flat road.



Speed cyclist: Teenage inventor Raul Oaida clocked up a speed of 26 miles per hour as he road tested a bicycle propelled by his self-built jet engine

The 19-year-old, from Transylvania, spent three years on the project, which he funded through a combination of sponsorship and pocket money.

Today Mr Oaida road tested the jet engine-propelled bicycle for the first time on a road behind his house in the city of Deva, where the spectacle attracted a small crowd of onlookers.

After successfully speeding along the city street on his souped-up cycle, the delighted inventor raised his arms in triumph.

Mr Oaida was following in the footsteps of his fellow Romanian Henri Coanda, a famed inventor.



Checks: The teenager inspects his jet-powered bicycle with the help of his father Dorin as he prepares to road test his invention near his Romanian home

Thumbs-up: The 19-year-old spent three years developing his jet engine, funded by a combination of sponsorship and pocket money

Start your engines: Flames emerge from the engine as Raul powers up his vehicle

Roadworthy: The teenager wheels his bike to the road as he prepares to give it a test ride

Audience: Bystanders gather to watch as Raul takes to the road on his jet-powered bicycle

Gathering speed: The teenager's mode of transport is a little faster than the average bicycle thanks to the addition of his self-built jet engine

Jet set: The 19-year-old passes a truck on his bicycle on a road at the back of his house in Deva, Romania

Achievement: The teenage inventor celebrates a successful road test of his jet-powered bicycle, which was three years in the making

Years in the making: Mr Oaida shows his invention to his friends after the road test



