We don't really get the whole concept of a hybrid bicycle, but we'll give Lexus->ke47 a free slide because they think they may really be onto something with this one.

The Toyota->ke88-owned manufacturer recently announced plans that they are scheduled to bring the Hybrid Bicycle concept to the Great British Bike Ride.

According to Lexus, the bike comes with a 240W electric motor and a 25.9V lithium-ion battery that comes with two power modes - Eco and Power. In addition to that, the concept hybrid bike also has an all-wheel drive set-up, an electric eight-speed transmission, as well as positively sturdy carbon fiber body.

There's more to learn about the bike in the Lexus press release, which you'll be able to read after the jump, but isn't the idea of a bike to be pedal-driven and human-powered. Sorry, Lexus, we just don't get it. It seems this is taking the bicycle a step back, not forward.

LEXUS HYBRID TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN INNOVATION ADVANCE ON TWO WHEELS

Introducing the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept

Lexus has established itself as an industry leader in bringing advanced technologies to the premium car market. Now it has applied the same thinking on a smaller scale to create the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle, a design concept the captures the fundamental engineering and design values of the brand, but with two wheels rather than four.

In every aspect this is Lexus, from the L-finesse design language of the engaging and elegant frame, to the application of hybrid power, an electric eight-speed transmission and lightweight carbon fibre construction.

Lexus has brought what is one of the only two examples in existence to the UK for the first time, following the bicycle's debut at the 2009 Tokyo motor show. Its arrival coincides with the announcement of Lexus's title sponsorship of the Great British Bike Ride, a four-day charity fun ride that will see hundreds of cyclists following a course from Land's End to the home of English rugby at Twickenham.

Lexus has pioneered high performance, low emissions and optimum fuel efficiency with its full hybrid Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain technology. The Hybrid Bicycle adopts similar principles, with the pedal power of the rider boosted by assistance to the front wheel from a 240W electric motor, via a 25.9V Lithium-ion battery, with a choice of Eco or Power modes. And, as with Lexus Hybrid Drive, there is an energy regeneration function that helps recharge the battery by capturing kinetic energy generated under braking.

The Lexus Hybrid Bicycle has all-wheel drive, by means of a belt system. It is equipped with an electric eight-speed Shimano internal gear system, which references the sophisticated eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission of Lexus's LS 600h limousine. The carbon fibre construction shares the same light-but-strong composite materials technology that was used on Valentino Rossi's MotoGP-winning motorcycle.

There are no current plans for the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle to become a production model.