Velomobile

A velomobile (French and schweizerdt " vélo " -. Bike ) is a muscle- powered vehicle with an enclosed fairing ( fairing ) is fitted which protects the rider from wind and rain. Velocity Mobile are often developed from recumbents and usually have three wheels.

From the end of the construction form and velomobiles are usually more sporty designed as eg rickshaws; also they are easy. Support by electric motors is often possible. Internal combustion engines are rarely used because they can be contrary to the usually same underlying entitlement to a healthy, environmentally friendly and socially responsible mobility.

Design and construction

Some velomobiles are vollverschalte recumbent bikes, which can be run without lagging. These include the Leitra and Thunder Storm. In some velomobiles the formwork is part of the supporting structure so that these vehicles can not drive without formwork. These include, among other Quest and Mango.

Velocity Mobile are both completely closed as manufactured in semi- open design. The latter option is the driver's head outdoors. In practice, the two designs especially in weather protection, with the aerodynamics and the visibility in rain and snow differ. Some velomobile have detachable hoods, so they can be driven either open or closed. In principle, all velomobiles can also be equipped with an electric motor. This makes it easier to climb steep ascents and also allows people with low levels of physical fitness use.

The curb weight of commercially available velomobiles is generally between 20 and 40 kg. To keep the air resistance is low, velomobiles are often designed streamlined. They usually have three wheels, the so-called tadpole design with two front wheels and one rear wheel is the most widespread. There are also four-wheeled vehicles, such as the beginning of the 1930s by Charles Mochet built Velo Cars.

Vollverschalte recumbents with two impellers are generally not regarded as a velomobile and are almost exclusively seen in the race, as they require more skill on the part of the driver as a multitrack vehicle. Especially the slow driving on the mountain and stopping are difficult because the driver is not particularly fast gets his feet on the ground and there is a risk of tipping over. Vollverschalte recumbents for record drives do not even have holes for the feet, so that the starting and stopping is possible only with the help of the outside.

Four-wheel velomobiles are rare, because with their higher weight they offer compared to three-wheel designs hardly benefits. Velocity Mobile are up to a few single copies seater.

Everyday and weather suitability

Compared with conventional bikes enclosed velomobiles offer excellent weather protection from wind, rain, snow, hail and cold. You can usually be driven without rainwear. In velomobiles, where the driver's head is exposed to the wind, however, hat or helmet is required. Alternatively, for example, offers the manufacturer of the " Versatile " a lightweight, semi-open and folding roof on which can be mounted in many other open velomobiles.

The produced by the physical exertion heat is sufficient to provide for a pleasant climate inside the casing. Most velomobiles also provide storage space for small to medium transport of luggage or shopping, so that the vehicles can be used in various everyday situations. A decisive factor in the everyday practicality of a velomobile is the ventilation. If, in a velomobile adequate ventilation can not be guaranteed, so fogged the windows and the view is greatly impaired. Even otherwise, it may cause condensation to form inside, which can partially even puddles in the mostly closed bottom pans.

In summer temperatures from 30 degrees up to velomobiles heat heavily on with bad cooling concept. On the other hand, the driver is spared in closed velomobiles without large window areas of the heating rays of the sun. Well-functioning air cooling is an important feature in the design of these vehicles. Most velomobiles can largely be described as all-weather all-year vehicles.

Restrictions apply for driving in snow, since a sharp fall in the traction of the drive wheel. From a certain snow depth can also set up the formwork. Overcoming obstacles snow is problematic also inadequate way can be a challenge.

Other advantages and disadvantages compared with the bicycle

The speed advantages faster velomobiles are primarily based on the much lower drag coefficient. This is despite the usually somewhat larger front surface a substantially reduced air resistance, which velomobiles equally strong drivers provided are superior in achievable maximum and cruise speeds other bikes.

Velomobile show its strength mainly in the plain. When accelerating on inclines to the higher weight of velomobiles makes a negative impact. With a properly designed gear shift but also inclines to deal with. Three-wheeled velomobiles are at very low speeds also driving more stable than two-wheelers, which must be permanently balanced.

Their low spreading can be partially explained by their high price (eg: Alleweder: from about 2,700 euros; Cab Bike from 4,600 euros. ). Velomobiles are built exclusively by hand in small batches.

The design of an inexpensive, everyday oriented velomobile as well as possible strategies for achieving necessary for mass production numbers were the subject of the research project RegInnoMobil.

A significant advantage over bikes (without trailer ) is the larger storage space that can be closed and is not publicly visible. A modular extension in the same bike with saddle bags, low-rider, backpack, basket or trailer, however, is usually not provided.

Due to the higher weight and larger dimensions velomobiles (eg in the bicycle cellar ) under observed compared to conventional bicycles difficult. Transport by rail are usually limited (eg, only in certain types of wagon ) or not possible.

Environmental protection and relation to motor vehicles

Compared to the car can be seen as an environmentally friendly low energy transport for everyday use velomobile. Electric drives to supplement the muscle strength are sometimes offered at an additional cost and can be upgraded as conventional bicycles. Comparatively simple the conversion to so-called pedelec, here the engine has only one pedal assistance which ends above 25 km / hr. If a velomobile equipped with an engine that allows driving without pedaling or pedal assistance up to 45 km / h ensuring that the vehicle is insurance; the approval of such a drive as a single conversion is extremely complex and expensive. Some manufacturers offer the vehicles then S- pedelec mentioned who need to carry an insurance license plate as mopeds or mopeds at the factory. In Germany, S- Pedelecs, unlike Pedelecs, no more than a bike but are classified according to Federal Motor Transport Authority as a lightweight mopeds. Therefore, they should in town without the signs for " moped free " can not be used on bike paths. Outside built-up areas may S- Pedelecs, as well as mopeds, use bike paths. It has been controversial for a legal amendment in 2009, whether mopeds - and thus also S- Pedelecs - at the drive turned off so-called bid cycle paths ( characters 237, 240, and 241) may use or even need.

Security

The low incidence of velomobiles does not allow statistically verifiable statements about safety.

The driving stability of three-wheeled velomobiles is determined primarily by track width and height of the vehicle center of gravity. The majority of the velomobile is sufficient capsize. As practice shows, however, velomobiles are not immune from tipping over.

The body of velomobiles is not comparable to modern passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The reasons of weight, usually very light casings offer in a collision but at least a little protection. In velomobiles of fiber reinforced plastics can cause injuries due to chipping of the material, however.

One advantage of velomobiles is the driver's lying position. A collision with an obstacle coming from the front done so first with the feet and not the head. In minor accidents also prevents the driver falls off the wheel. Falls are the leading cause of injury in normal undisguised bicycles.

Is positive to see that the lining can prevent accidents in direct contact with the road or a minor accident opponents. Help soft or padded shapes, sharp-edged fixtures in disguise, however, can cause additional injury -related.

The usually low seat height reduces the overview of the driver, straps are not available, a special head protection or rollover bars are missing in most designs.