Cologne, Germany  - The ultimate in bicycle comfort - a recumbent bike with electric assistance for tired legs - was one of the attractions on show Thursday at the IFMA bicycle fair in Cologne, Germany.

Manufacturers hope to persuade married couples to dump plans to buy a second car and to acquire an easy-ride bicycle instead, the German industry federation said.

The recumbent has enough battery power to travel 90 kilometres with very little effort by the rider.

"It's the perfect answer to high fuel prices and global warming," said a salesman.

Makers voiced sadness that IFMA, one of Europe's top shows of new bicycles and accessories, was being held for the last time in its current form because the annual event had not been profitable for the organizers.

The successor will be a separate section within the Intermot motorcycle fair, to be held every two years. That will take place in 2010. This week's IFMA lasts four days and has 490 exhibitors, down 150 from a year ago.

Gunnar Fehlau, a cycle expert, said electric assistance was popular, but most shoppers preferred to unobtrusive.

"They want electric motors to be invisible, and to use them as a back-up when accelerating away from the lights or riding uphill without attracting any sniggers," he said. (dpa)