robinyatesuk2003
any side wind is going to blow this over surely? A big truck passing will suck it across the cycle way without a doubt. Nice idea but not for me
Jacob Shepley
funny how they show a healthy amateur cyclist (likely to be on par with the demographic target) output is 200 watts, yet use 500 watts in the comparrison for 'ease of comparrison). they even say this is above the elite level tour de france cyclist's ability to output for long distance.
the Emcycle beats everything in power to weight....just. if you use a more reasonable value for human input for a 30-60 minute journey the smart fortwo ev has a better power/weight ratio
Gadgeteer
This thing has "wishful thinking" written all over it. Scholey's "Art Center College of Design" credential confirms that. He's a designer, not an engineer.
Roger W.
Not even really a 'Concept Vehicle'; just an IDEA, DREAMS, and some FANCY COMPUTER GRAPHICS! Once they make an 'operating prototype', demonstrate the ability to build a Monocoque Chassis, incorporate their fancy electronics, show that it will not 'blow over' in a modest breeze, and can build it at an AFFORDABLE PRICE, then it may deserve some publicity as a viable transportation option. Just a 'fluff' piece that we will never be seen on the roads! Sorry to be so NEGATIVE, but I am tired of seeing "Neat Ideas" that we will never be able to purchase!
Paul van Dinther
Designers for personal vehicles has a hard slog ahead to get peoples mindset out of a 2000 kg steel cage. The big advantage here is the small foot print on the road and the fact you stay dry in this thing.
Picture yourself on a busy open country road without cycle lane everyday and I agree, that is probably not a good place for this vehicle.
But living in a city with little parking space and crawling traffic or ample cycle paths and suddenly this vehicle seems perfect.
I agree that the side surface is large but looking at that canopy that can easily be reduced.
Fred Funk
Also, the european laws for what is a bike, e.g. allowed in bike lanes, is 250 Watts maximum. The article says 'future' european laws. Perhaps but that is pretty far off right now.
Bart Viaene
The execution is flawed, even though the concept is valid : less is more !
My TWIKE is a lot faster, much less wind-sensitive, and much safer because of its low-profile space frame and roll bar.
A fast two-seater has to keep to the road, though.
For bicycle paths, a closed pedelec recumbent would make much more sense.
Bob Stuart
Lancia pioneered with a road-going monocoque, and the 1934 Citroen made it popular. In a velomobile, the loads are so diffuse that it only makes sense as a safety shell with structural benefits. Slow aircraft don't use it. No details are given on the tilt control system, very sorely needed with these proportions. It seems to have a moped's ergonomics for pedaling, so it won't even provide healthy exercise. A recumbent would, and be more comfortable. This is a lovely dream, but I can't feel optimistic about it entering the real world.
paulblez
Lots of interesting stuff here, but also a lot of assumptions! For pedalling, the seating position falls between the two stools of recumbent and conventional and would be much worse than either IMHO. On the other hand, as a 3-wheeler, more than 250watts is already allowed by EU regs, and 1kw will soon be allowed even for 2-wheelers, albeit still with the 15mph/25kph max speed. Clive Sinclair's 2-wheeler looked very promising, apart from the tiny wheels - what has happened to that? At least they got further than this by building a prototype! This project also has a long way to go before it's as real as the Twike, and that's what it should be compared to, once it actually exists! I'm very skeptical about the 36kg weight claim, for a start; perhaps they conveniently left out the weight of the battery?! Finally, it's disappointing to see the common mis-spelling 'Bergman' instead of the correct BURGMAN for Suzuki's maxiscooters repeated several times here, especially when it's spelt correctly in the charts! No excuse! PNB
Cas Tuyn
I own a Sinner Mango velomobile with 170W power assist. Without power assist I can cycle ~30 km/h, and with power ~38 km/h on a 1 hour journey to work. With those realworld figures in mind I can safely say the 500W engine is overkill if you only want to drive it at 25 km/h, someone else already mentioned the european max for pedelec is 250W, which would also speed it up to above 40 km/h. Sidewind has not been my largest problem, but the Mango is a lot lower, and my mass sits a lot lower. In fast corners my mango does 'lift a leg', which will most certainly topple this Emcycle, even when it tilts like the Carver. Then there is the price, it think it needs to be at least 2x what they say here to be made in the quantities the market needs.