No, this is not a real self-driving bicycle by Google

The video with the caption “Self Driving Bike By Google!” was widely shared on Facebook including on the accounts I Friggin Love Technology and Brainy is the New Sexy. 

The video, which received more than 11 million views on those two accounts alone, shows a self-driving bicycle cruising through an urban area with no rider.

The bicycle appears to propel itself through busy streets including stopping at traffic signals.

At one point, a woman is shown riding the bicycle while working on a laptop and taking calls as the bicycle steers itself on the road.

Thousands of people commented on the video, with many appearing to believe it was true.

"I just can't believe how revolutionary this could be. Imagine if you will: Solar powered base stations around the city where these bikes return to after circling a route on the main thoroughfares (weather permitting). You could summon one and pay with your phone," one user wrote.

“Everyone is going to get fat with all these self driving bikes and electric skateboards,” wrote another Facebook user.

Others realised it was a joke. One Facebook user wrote: “Wow, can't believe there's people out there who believe this is real!"

Google Netherlands released the original version of the video on YouTube on March 31, 2016 on the eve of April Fool’s Day, about four months before the version was posted on the I Friggin Love Technology page.

The original post also attracted millions of views and many comments from people believing it was true.

But pasted in the description of the post was a link to another YouTube video that said: Find out how this project was created in this 'making of' video.

The second batch of footage shows how a special-effects team created the original video.