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Where are the tens of alternatives to https://www.podbike.com/ https://www.podbike.com/ . There should be lots of competition in this area

by ptman 3y ago

fho 3y ago
Except that basically every velocar is vaporware atm. Here in Germany regulations are unnecessarily complex and your best option is to get 10-20 year old Velomobiles that can legally be driven as S-Pedelecs (up to 45 km/h) because they were at some point certified for that speed. But getting a new velomobile, that you can easily drive faster than 45 km/h by muscle power alone, certified to be powered electrically is apparently near impossible (i.e. not financially feasible).
- wink 3y ago
  Except that most cyclists I know (me included) would be too scared to use one.
  - fho 3y ago
    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37036224 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37036224
    - wink 3y ago
      Yeah I've seen comment that but I am not convinced. It's expensive, it hardly has more space to bring stuff than a normal bike, and the rain doesn't really bother me most of the time. I am not claiming to be rational here, but for me personally I hardly see any upside besides "arrive a bit quicker and dryer (if buying a closed model)" Not even sure where I'd park it, maybe my building's small motorcycle parking lot has some space.
      - fho 3y ago
        > It's expensive Definitely... The market is too small and everything is built by hand. You can get reasonable used ones for 4000-6000€, but you probably know that. Otoh you save gasoline which pays for itself after a while (3 years in my case, not counting insurance or maintenance). > it hardly has more space to bring stuff than a normal bike It's a bit more and it's safe from the elements. Some 4-wheel models have an actual trunk. > the rain Doesn't bother me either, riding bicycles in the rain is surprisingly ok. > I am not claiming to be rational here Maybe try one out. I was convinced of the concept when I could easily keep up with my SO who was doing 45 km/h in a e-VM during a test ride. That said: I don't own a VM either because it never made sense... Either my workplace was too close or too far for a VM to make sense. But I think there is a sweetspot of around 20-40km one way, where a VM is a great alternative to normal bikes and cars.

Where are the tens of alternatives to https://www.podbike.com/ https://www.podbike.com/ . There should be lots of competition in this area

by ptman 3y ago

Where are the tens of alternatives to https://www.podbike.com/ https://www.podbike.com/ . There should be lots of competition in this area

fho 3y ago

Except that basically every velocar is vaporware atm. Here in Germany regulations are unnecessarily complex and your best option is to get 10-20 year old Velomobiles that can legally be driven as S-Pedelecs (up to 45 km/h) because they were at some point certified for that speed. But getting a new velomobile, that you can easily drive faster than 45 km/h by muscle power alone, certified to be powered electrically is apparently near impossible (i.e. not financially feasible).

wink 3y ago
Except that most cyclists I know (me included) would be too scared to use one.
- fho 3y ago
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37036224 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37036224
  - wink 3y ago
    Yeah I've seen comment that but I am not convinced. It's expensive, it hardly has more space to bring stuff than a normal bike, and the rain doesn't really bother me most of the time. I am not claiming to be rational here, but for me personally I hardly see any upside besides "arrive a bit quicker and dryer (if buying a closed model)" Not even sure where I'd park it, maybe my building's small motorcycle parking lot has some space.
    - fho 3y ago
      > It's expensive Definitely... The market is too small and everything is built by hand. You can get reasonable used ones for 4000-6000€, but you probably know that. Otoh you save gasoline which pays for itself after a while (3 years in my case, not counting insurance or maintenance). > it hardly has more space to bring stuff than a normal bike It's a bit more and it's safe from the elements. Some 4-wheel models have an actual trunk. > the rain Doesn't bother me either, riding bicycles in the rain is surprisingly ok. > I am not claiming to be rational here Maybe try one out. I was convinced of the concept when I could easily keep up with my SO who was doing 45 km/h in a e-VM during a test ride. That said: I don't own a VM either because it never made sense... Either my workplace was too close or too far for a VM to make sense. But I think there is a sweetspot of around 20-40km one way, where a VM is a great alternative to normal bikes and cars.