New Atlas

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Kia electric-assist pedal car would be dispersed like a SEED

Ben Coxworth January 16, 2019

Last week at CES 2019, Kia showcased a system that tracks passengers' state of mind by monitoring facial expressions and other biomarkers. The futuristic fun didn't stop there, however, as the automaker also unveiled an electric-assist pedal car that could find use in the smart cities of tomorrow.

The SEED Car prototype on display in Las Vegas

Bicycles

Two-wheeled Lightning F-22 velomobile has a soft touch

Ben Coxworth November 23, 2018

When we think of velomobiles (for those of us who think of them at all), we typically picture recumbent trikes with rigid aerodynamic shells. The Lightning F-22, however, is a little bit different – it's a recumbent BIKE, that has a full-body shell made from stretchable spandex.

The Lightning F-22 is presently on Kickstarter

Bicycles

Nici Walde sets new women's human-powered 24-hour endurance record

Loz Blain July 29, 2018

Forty-four-year-old endurance athlete Nicola "Nici" Walde has beaten the women's world record for the greatest distance traveled in a human-powered vehicle in 24 hours. Using a streamlined recumbent tricycle, Nici managed 227 laps of the Opel Test Center for a total of 1,088 km (676 mi) in 24 hours.

Nici Walde with her record-setting velomobile

Urban Transport

First full prototype of pedal-electric Podbike unveiled in Norway

Ben Coxworth February 7, 2018

It was last November that we first heard about the Podbike, a velomobile being developed by Norwegian firm Elpedal. At the time, it only existed as a rolling chassis. Recently, however, the first complete prototype was presented at an event in Norway.

The Podbike T0, onstage at The Science Factory on Jan. 26th

Urban Transport

Electric-assist velomobile is dually driven

Ben Coxworth December 5, 2017

Former bike shop owner Fabrizio Cross once asked himself, what would it take to get more people out of their cars and onto bicycles? His answer was "A bike that could do more, go farther, and take less effort." That vehicle now exists, in the form of the Electrom LEV (light electric vehicle).

Fabrizio Cross cruising the streets of Victoria, in the Electrom

Urban Transport

Dual-motor velomobile gets unchained

Ben Coxworth November 2, 2017

Velomobiles usually take the form of a recumbent tricycle enclosed by a streamlined body, that MIGHT have a motor to augment the rider's pedalling power. The Podbike, however, is a little different. It has four wheels, two motors … and no chain.

A rendering of the Podbike, in its native Norway

Urban Transport

New vehicle brings Italian flair to the world of velomobiles

Ben Coxworth April 6, 2017

Perhaps you like the idea of cruising down the road sitting in something sleek and Italian, yet you're not really a "car person." Well, if that's the case, then the pedal-electric Barbagallo X01 might be for you.

Urban Transport

Convertible velomobile looks hot, but is made to stay cool

Ben Coxworth August 26, 2016

While fully-enclosed velomobiles offer excellent foul-weather protection, they can get too hot when it's warm outside. That's why the Cabriovelo was created. It's a convertible velomobile, which stores its own folding roof and sides when they're not in use.

Urban Transport

Eco-minded commuters could soon be pedalling a PEBL

Ben Coxworth July 20, 2016

Perhaps you're one of those people who doesn't own a car, but who sometimes needs a vehicle that's a bit "more" than a bicycle. If you are, then better.bike's PEBL velomobile might be what you're looking for.

Urban Transport

Quadricycle concept offers convertible take on velomobiles

C.C. Weiss July 13, 2016

With so much focus on sustainable urban transport, there are numerous vehicles that split the difference between the bicycle and the motorized vehicle. One of the latest additions to this growing category is the Schaeffler Bio-hybrid, a pedal-assist quadricycle concept with convertible roof.

The Schaeffler Bio-Hybrid features a convertible roof that swings behind the seat for fully open-top riding