As a Euro-pallet hauler, this isn’t the most absurd implementation I’ve seen so far, as it sits low and has the rider in a recumbent position and is non-articulating. This would tend to make it harder to lose control when carrying a large payload (ie a trailer wagging across the road).
On the other hand, the lack of a direct chain, belt, or gears disqualifies this from the California definition of “bicycle”, which in turn disqualifies it as an ebike under the three class system here. If it weren’t for that, this four-wheel ebike would be legal here; other jurisdictions will vary.
But I think we need to address the elephant in the room: hauling 454 kg is well in excess of what would constitute normal bicycle or ebike traffic. A while ago, I had a thread discussing when the “micro” in micromobility ends, and I think this definitely crosses the boundary into commercial goods-hauler.
Not to say it shouldn’t exist: I can see this perfectly serving the role of last-mile delivery to restock urban shops. But this shouldn’t be ridden on bike trails or through parks, and instead should keep to street-adjacent bike lanes along existing commercial delivery routes. The benefit to distributors would be the ability to squeeze past automobile congestion. The faster-than-25-kph-version properly deserves to be regulated as an electric scooter, but the 25 kph model can plausibly coexist with motor vehicles on 30 kph (~20 mph) urban streets.
In short, if this goods-hauler can operate on existing roads and displace delivery motor-vehicles, great! But if it can only work by appropriating space on bike paths and other pedestrianized spaces, that’s not good.
Seems like a bad idea to fill bike lanes with delivery vehicles.
Great for personal use.
Its like the i3 with rex (“range extender”) - an electric car with petrol engine generator.
But a bike.I really like the concept (& I’ve been waiting for such thing to pop up in usable form in cargo bikes).
It’s used in boats, ships, and other heavy machinery, but with internal combustion engines.This is the delivery service vehicle cities need. The operator paddles the generator continuously and independently of traffic or if moving, and on their own terms (how/when hard/fast).
I see a legal issue. Is it still an electric assist bike or full electric …4-wheeler?
Yeah, maybe someone can explain to me how this isn’t a vehicle at this point. Sure, it’s smaller, but having a 1000 pound vehicle using bike paths and multi-use paths seems dangerous. This feels like someone trying to pass off a small car as a bike in order to circumvent safety standards more than being a real form of micro mobility.
Yeah, I am worried about how well the brakes will work on that when fully loaded, those are some skinny tires…
Getting closer to 1,500 if you include the cargo, rider, and bike
it’s electric. it mentions in the article that it’s not directly powered by legs at all (directly anyway)
it has a pair of ~150w rear hub motors, class 2 too speed of 15mph and a range of 35-45 miles.
pretty neat overall considering it’s load capacity.
That’s addressed in the article. Pretty absurd design though, surely a chain is more efficient.
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