I think there have been two great milestones in allowing transportation to be accessible to everyone.
The first was the mainstream adoption of the bicycle in the early 20th century. It meant that nearly everyone could travel - universal independence. Perhaps it is no coincidence that it also paralleled the woman's rights and suffragette movement allowing large numbers of women to experience their first taste of freedom.
The second milestone has been the technological marvel of the ebike. Ebikes, as we all know, have levelled the playing field for everyone by allowing bicycles to become true car replacements. We could masturbate on and on about this, and we do
, but I think everyone gets this.
Now I feel that we are entering a third era. An era where electric bicycles are a true alternative to cars. An era where not one just one person bicycles exist but multi-person vehicles with absolutely no drawbacks to the car.
We are now entering the age of multi-person electric velomobiles. And this will be a game changer not just because they exist but because they are on the verge of mass production which means mass affordability.
The first one to go on sale is the Messerschmitt (formerly Veloschmitt). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veloschmitt/557687010997083?fref=ts
A fully enclosed all-glass window two person Velomobile with a KW/hr of battery and a Cromotor for power for under €8,000 which is cheaper than a normal electric velo. I think Messerschmidt will also be realising a 15KW four wheel Tiger version but I guess that is more a car.
A second one, which cropped up on Facebook, is this French offering.
http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/cyclospace-xxl
Relatively inexpensive and simple, pared back design (I should be in sales.
) it is planned to be realised in either a two person or five person configuration. Although they will certainly need a more powerful motor than 250 watts.
The point is that the revolution in cheap, truly car free transportation is happening right now.
The first was the mainstream adoption of the bicycle in the early 20th century. It meant that nearly everyone could travel - universal independence. Perhaps it is no coincidence that it also paralleled the woman's rights and suffragette movement allowing large numbers of women to experience their first taste of freedom.
The second milestone has been the technological marvel of the ebike. Ebikes, as we all know, have levelled the playing field for everyone by allowing bicycles to become true car replacements. We could masturbate on and on about this, and we do
, but I think everyone gets this.Now I feel that we are entering a third era. An era where electric bicycles are a true alternative to cars. An era where not one just one person bicycles exist but multi-person vehicles with absolutely no drawbacks to the car.
We are now entering the age of multi-person electric velomobiles. And this will be a game changer not just because they exist but because they are on the verge of mass production which means mass affordability.
The first one to go on sale is the Messerschmitt (formerly Veloschmitt). https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veloschmitt/557687010997083?fref=ts
A fully enclosed all-glass window two person Velomobile with a KW/hr of battery and a Cromotor for power for under €8,000 which is cheaper than a normal electric velo. I think Messerschmidt will also be realising a 15KW four wheel Tiger version but I guess that is more a car.
A second one, which cropped up on Facebook, is this French offering.
http://www.kisskissbankbank.com/cyclospace-xxl
Relatively inexpensive and simple, pared back design (I should be in sales.
) it is planned to be realised in either a two person or five person configuration. Although they will certainly need a more powerful motor than 250 watts. The point is that the revolution in cheap, truly car free transportation is happening right now.
A three wheeler I could get away with. :wink:
