An alternative to dino-fueled (petrol/disel) motors.

[confusedcyclist]

Not a new article, but new to me.

Could this be the trick to curing all those excuses for caged commuters?
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2012/10/electric-velomobiles.html

I'd hate to be in traffic in one of these because I imagine it's harder to manoeuvre around grid locked traffic, but if we could get clear roads, these would be awesome.

 

[Chris S]

HGVs wouldn't be able to see you - like the Sinclair C5.

 

[Tigerbiten]

HGVs wouldn't be able to see you - like the Sinclair C5.

Oh, so HGV's cannot see small sports cars or motorbikes as well as they are similar sized to a velomobile.
It must be SO dangerous to use a small sports cars or motorbike on the road then ..........

 

[confusedcyclist]

Yes HGVs are a problem, but not unique to velomobiles. They don't really have a place in urban environments, it's nuts they are accepted in this day and age. Another symptom of motor supremacy. If need be, most loads could be transported in smaller trucks. Sort of like the last mile by bike model.

Plenty of other ways to get goods moved around too:

 

[mjr]

Oh, so HGV's cannot see small sports cars or motorbikes as well as they are similar sized to a velomobile.
It must be SO dangerous to use a small sports cars or motorbike on the road then ..........

A fairer comparison would be with recumbent tricycles. They make up the majority of cycling deaths and almost everyone who rides one has been killed multiple times. Oh, wait: no they haven't.

 

[confusedcyclist]

For a moment there you had me worried.

 

[Drago]

Yep, I'd have one. When they suddenly discover there aren't enough rare earth minerals to replace every ICE car with a conventional electric car, then these will suddenly become popular. It'll be like the 1950s boom in microcars, but with 21st century technology and outlook.

Unless you suddenly materialised outof thin air into their blind spot, or the driver approached you from a distance with hisn eyes closed. Then of course they'd see you. They'll be completely driverless withing two decades anyway.

 

[rugby bloke]

I see a velomobile fairly regularly on my commute in Central London, it seems to survive ok mixing it with taxis, buses, tipper trucks HGVs etc. Fair play to the guy, I think I'll stick to my Boris Bike.

 

[mjr]

Fair play to the guy, I think I'll stick to my Boris Bike.

Try using a wet wipe on the saddle first, then!

IGMC.

 

[raleighnut]

Morgan EV3 anyone,

 

[Drago]

That Morgan is close to the mark. Add modern styling and an enclosed cockpit that would provide a superb commuting/general runaround solution for most people, particularly if mass production made it affordable

 

[DRHysted]

Morgan EV3 anyone,

View attachment 363937

Many years ago in a motorcycle magazine I was reading was a review for a vehicle similar to that called a triking. I liked it then, still like it now but the dogs would like it a little too much for it to be practical.

 

[raleighnut]

Many years ago in a motorcycle magazine I was reading was a review for a vehicle similar to that called a triking. I liked it then, still like it now but the dogs would like it a little too much for it to be practical.

Wasn't the 'Triking' powered by a motorbike engine (very much like the standard Morgan 3)

The EV3 is electric.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

HGVs wouldn't be able to see you - like the Sinclair C5.

They can see the white lines on the road, why wouldn't they see something that stands out like a sore thumb? No problems with people not seeing me on my 'bent trike, quite the reverse in fact.

 

[Oldfentiger]

Wasn't the 'Triking' powered by a motorbike engine (very much like the standard Morgan 3)

The EV3 is electric.

It was fitted with a Moto Guzzi air cooled V twin.
Ideal because it was configured to mount across the bike frame, making it easy for shaft drive.
I believe the origins of that engine was for powering a fire pump.