New Atlas

Urban Transport Audio available

Quirky Messerschmitt velomobile rides again

Ben Coxworth May 16, 2019

When it comes to weird little old cars, the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller was one of the delightfully weirdest. Five years ago, we heard about a new pedal-electric version of the vehicle, known as the Veloschmitt. Although that model is no longer available, its successor has now entered production.

The Messerschmitt KR 25-E was unveiled at last month's Spezi specialty bike show in Germany

Urban Transport Audio available

German quad-bike gives riders an electric boost

Ben Coxworth March 28, 2019

Although velomobiles could generally be defined as recumbent tricycles enclosed in an aerodynamic shell, we're seeing an increasing number of more stability-oriented four-wheeled variants. One of the latest is the Pedilio, which could ultimately go as fast as 28 mph.

Production has begun on an initial small batch of Pedilios – the prototype debuted about a ...

Urban Transport Audio available

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.