Problem :
Some people don’t ride their bikes because the worry that the tires need to have more grip, so they don’t fall and cause an accident .
Biomimicry Idea:
Look at their toes ! They have round toe pads at the end of each toe. You can find a Pacific Chorus Frog hanging on to blades of grass or on the side of a tree. White tree frog toes are similar to Oak Island’s Pacific Chorus Frogs’ toes . They are covered with “nano pillars.” Each pillar has a small depression in the end that creates friction between the toe and the surface it is touching. The toe material is similar to the feel of silicone rubber and is able to bend around things. There is a small amount of mucus between these nano pillars. The mucus makes a wet adhesive that helps to hold the toe pad to a grass blade or tree branch. When the tree moves, little bits of dirt and dust fall off. Once this ” cleaning ” happens the toes are more able to adhere to a surface.
What if we apply the structure of a chows frog toe to a bike tire?
Cover the bike tire with small nano pillar depressions to increase pressure between the bike tire and the road. This will increase road to tire friction and create a safer bike ride. Now lets all get out and ride !
Source
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tree-frogs-hang-tight-but-how/
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-07/sfeb-ffc062811.php