If gas gets more expensive - would anyone consider commuting in this?

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

(provided you can get to your work on surface streets).

The Aerorider is an electric-assisted recumbent enclosed tricycle made in The Netherlands that you pedal. It has a battery and electric motor that work as a pedal assist (pedalling is supposedly much easier). If you run out of juice in your battery, you can pull off the road, pedal awhile and re-energize it or find an outlet to plug in the battery. It won't go much over 25 mph and you have to stay in the bike lane but it uses no oil or gas and you don't have to pay registration fees or purchase auto insurance. It uses a very, very small amount of electricity, much less than an electric car. A big problem is that they cost about 7,000 Euros, which is almost the cost of a car. Quite a few people in the U.S. are making contraptions like this in their garages for a lot less money. In fact, I'm seeing a lot of activity on the Internet of do-it-yourselfers making enclosed, electric-assisted bikes and trikes. I'm thinking of building a two-wheel velomobile from plans I found on the Internet myself. If only they had bicycle freeways in urban areas where this type of technology could be used, as better and faster vehicles of this kind are developed.


"...Aerorider is an urban commuting solution that cheats wind, rain and traffic to provide a low-cost, environmentally friendly mode of transport. When using the electric motor to assist pedalling, the single-person Aerorider can achieve speeds of 45 kmh without raising a sweat and the aerodynamic design delivers a drag coefficient around one tenth that of a standard bicycle.

Primarily for commuters who would normally leave their bicycle at home in wet and cold conditions, the Aerorider includes ample luggage space within the composite frame. Steering is controlled with a joystick and an onboard computer provides real-time information on speed and distance covered as well as anti-theft protection. The narrow shape and light weight of the Aerorider make it simple to handle and suitable for use in bicycle lanes. In comparison to a car it causes minimal emission, it's easy to park and reduces traffic noise.

Designed by Aerospace engineer Gjalt Wijma, the hull of the prototype Aerorider has undergone wind tunnel tests at the University of Delft in the Netherlands since 1999 and a production model - due for release in the second quarter of 2003. ..."

http://www.gizmag.com/go/1811/

[pepperbear]

1. Sure I would. n?t

[dkf]

2. Looks like I could get killed in one of these...

I dunno.

[silverojo]

5. I was thinking the same thing

Drive one of those in the city or around some rednecks, and you'll need the jaws of life to get you out. :scared:

[babylonsister]

10. AKA coffin. nt

[dkf]

15. you're killing me!

:rofl:

[krispos42]

17. Well, they could just bury you in the car.

Slip you right into the grave. It looks small enough... :-)

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Of course and I might be able to get my groceries too

[Andrea]

4. If I could afford one, I definitely would

This would resolve the main issues of bicycle commuting for me: the weather and the need to change clothes upon arriving at work. I'm all for it.

[Initech]

6. I sure as hell wouldn't take one of those out on I-5.

[alittlelark]

12. Taking ANY vehicle out on I-5 is a risk.

I regularly (3-5 times a year)traverse 170 miles of it. :scared:

[Initech]

60. I drive on I-5 every fucking day. In Los Angeles.

Hell, even in my 4-door Altima it's still scary as shit.

[stubtoe]

43. Me either! Get blown right off the road by the first semi.

These little vehicles are wonderful but really are designed for the tiny streets of European cities. Like Amsterdam, where bikes rule.

[uppityperson]

55. I don't think 25 mph qualifies it for interstate travel anyways.

[Initech]

61. I live in Los Angeles, it's nothing but highway.

Taking one of those things out on the highways would suck.

[Codedonkey]

82. no sense of adventure?

hehe

[LeftyMom]

7. I'm not biking to work (or school, which is how I rack up miles) until I have health insurance.

The last time I missed my Dodge* roll all I got for my trouble was some nasty road rash, a trashed bike and a traffic ticket. I don't know for sure that the next time will be so minor, and I don't trust people's driving.

So unless that thing comes with airbags and a sturdy roll cage, count me out.

*be on the lookout for a space cadet in a maroon Intrepid

[doublethink]

8. Here's a youtube video on it ..... Interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfL18FoBB5c

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Websites: aerorider.com and sunrider-cycles.com

http://www.aerorider.com/

http://www.sunrider-cycles.com/

[alittlelark]

11. I got a Prius a few months ago - kids, groceries, guitars..

It's a cute vehicle, but not very realistic for most ppl.

[CRF450]

13. Hell no.

I'd rather ride a motorcycle. The job I have requires the use of my truck, which can barely average anymore than 16mpg. Untill the automakers can produce an appealing car running on electricity or other alternative fuels, I have no desire to buy any vehicle that looks like a tiny tincan such as this, or any of the current hybrid cars no matter what the price of gas is. I'm sorry but I'm picky when it comes to cars, I want a RWD coupe or sedan that looks good, fast, handles great, and just enjoyable to drive. Till then, I'm holding on to my current ride.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jack Sprat]

14. yes. don't know why it should cost that much, though.

i wouldn't pay the equivalent of a car price for it. should be a thousand bucks, tops.

[alfredo]

44. Quality bicycles cost that much.

http://schellers.com/itemlist.cfm?category=81

Of course you can still get a good machine for less, but a lightweight road machine costs.

[Richard Steele]

80. Plus, it's a limited-production machine; practically hand-built.

If demand was such that the inventor could invest
in an assembly line that cranked out 100 of them
per day, individual unit cost would go way down.

[O.M.B.inOhio]

16. This seemed to be getting realistic before the SUV devolution. And cellphones.

SUVs engender arrogance on the road and cellphones distract drivers and delay their reactions as much as drunkenness. So this is not a vehicle for the USA in general. Also, the Netherlands has an amazing bike culture. In Groningen, the flow of bikes resembles blood cells coursing through arteries. It's amazing sight for an American and is thrilling to be part of.

[AndyTiedye]

18. Something More like This

[taterguy]

19. My bicycle works just fine

I paid about $400 for it a few years ago.

Traffic is scary but I'm used to it.

I've been riding to work almost every day for over 15 years and never had an accident.

YMMV of course.

Groceries are a challenge but doable: A backpack and a gym bag slung over the shoulder can hold over 20 pounds of food.

And no, I don't live in an area that's particularly bike friendly. I only know a few folks that use bikes for transportation, even though hundreds of people in my neighborhood live within a couple miles of where they work.

I'm not a big fan of electric assist. I asked an expert about it. He pointed out that any benefits from it are canceled out by the weight of the motor when it's not in use.

[noamnety]

20. There's not a way to use it in my area.

bicycles use the sidewalks here, we don't have bike lanes on the roads, and we can't use an electric bike unless it's classified as a motorcycle on the roads. (sidestreets yes, but no connecting roads). We are not moped friendly.

I'm looking at the VentureOne when it comes out, which is street legal here: http://flytheroad.com/

[RebelOne]

33. I'd prefer the VentureOne, but it is $20,000.

I'm sure you could buy a hybrid car for less than that.

[noamnety]

37. But can you buy a hybrid that gets 100mpg?

I figure it's about the cost of a regular car, maybe a little high, but I'll make it up in fuel costs really quickly.

[lumberjack_jeff]

34. Whoa. That's awesome.

The articulating rear is a brilliant idea.

[lumberjack_jeff]

35. self delete

double-tap apparently.

[BB1]

21. Living in Holland,

I see them occasionally. The people riding them are way faster than any other manpowered traffic. These are by far the best bikes around, if only there were bikelanes for everybody to use.
Maybe that's what's needed to get people out of their cars - bikelanes! Feel safe and get somewhere.

I had a bike during my year in the States. Never put a flag on it, but I did take care not to ride in the dark. Put some 1500 miles on it before I went home.

[eilen]

22. How do they do winter?

We get lots of snow and ice here in Central NY. I don't think it is practical--more like a suicide mission. The cover on it seems like it would work well as a solar cooker in the summer.

I ride my bike in the Spring/summer for errands, use the bus system when I can and try to keep my car for limited use. I think the most cost effective vehicle is a 10 year old small car like a Dodge Neon. We have a '96 Saturn SL2 that has over 150,000 miles on it and is still chugging along that my dh drives since he travels quite a bit more. Unfortunately we also have a 2001 Blazer which is a money pit extraordinaire. The best thing to say about it is that there are no car payments.

The issues with taking the bus is that most employers are not flexible in regard to the bus schedules so you can be delayed 2 hours easily--there were half as many buses running after 4pm than before. When I was in nursing, there was not bus service after 11:20 pm--my area saw no buses after around 10 pm. It really is not safe to ride a bike at night through the city alone and female. One thing I noticed is that there was hardly any kind of facilities to safely park and chain a bicycle in the metro areas if more than a few people chose to ride their bikes. I think there were two bike racks on the ground floor of the parking garage to service the entire hospital (which is a major employer). These are considerations for the city and the utillity (bus system) to address.

As it is, my dh parks and rides with a buddy; they park in a satellite lot across town from their work site, take a shuttle and still have to climb the mother of all hills before they even start work. I don't know why the shuttle can't bring them up the hill. It's not like they lack for exercise, the job is a vertical expansion that goes up 11 floors so they are climbing stairs all day.

[deacon]

25. No problem. You just put one on each foot :)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

45. I've seen them in Minneapolis, and yes, in the winter

:-)

[NickB79]

58. So I'm not going crazy then?

I was reading this thread thinking "I swear I saw one of those in Uptown two years ago". At the time I thought it was homemade; I had no idea they were factory-made.

[midnight armadillo]

23. Not on a day like this

That's a seriously neat bike. However considering the lack of bike lanes, suplus of large vehicles, and crappy MA roads which mean you'd have to ride it about 4 feet from the edge of the road to avoid potholes and road debris, this would not work well for me.

Winter weather would be a problem too.

[Andrea]

52. They also won't work for cross oceanic journeys. n/t

[bean fidhleir]

63. I live in W. Mass. and ride a two-wheeler all year 'round

Having a tadpole would be bliss. But I live in a third-fl apt, and would play hell hoicking it up and down stairs each trip.

[deacon]

24. No. But if it came with a device on the bottom where it could cut my lawn, maybe.

Imagine being in the center lane on a highway with a tractor trailer on either side of you....ackkkkk!

[taterguy]

26. Imagine planning a trip that doesn't involve Interstates

Interstates are rarely the most direct route to a destination. For most trips there's a secondary road that's not as far distance-wise. (Especially for trips that are within reasonable cycling distance)

The lengths that people will go to rationalize irresponsible behavior is starting to really get on my nerves.

[Andrea]

49. Even when I'm driving my car

I avoid interstates. I live in the inner city. The interstates take me longer to get around because they aren't direct and you have to go out of your way to get to the on-ramps. It's not like interstates are devoid of traffic, either. They are definitely not the best way to go in many cases.

The OP said this wasn't for interstate driving anyway.

In short, I agree with you.

[DFW]

27. Wouldn't work for me

When I "commute," it's usually between the Rheinland and Brussels, Paris, Switzerland, Bavaria,
Berlin, Spain, Italy or points beyond. I could huff and puff, but I don't think I'd be punctual.

[OhioChick]

28. Hell No

I can't even fathom coming into contact with a semi while in one of those.

[Occulus]

70. You never would. The semi would just go OVER you.

:D

[harun]

84. Semi's don't drive in the bike lane (n/t)

[arendt]

29. In urban areas, the issue is PARKING...

Where can I legally park this thing? Especialy if there were more than a handful.

Can I chain them to a lamppost? I doubt it.

Will the police let me put two or more into a regular parking meter space? They would fit; but maybe they would ticket one of them as illegally parked.

Bottom line: this is a good idea, only if they deal with parking.

arendt

P.S. Price is ridiculously high. The Indians are selling a real car, powered by compressed air, for about $4,000.

[Vidar]

30. Provides a shade more protection than my bicycle which is my

primary mode of transportation at present.

[Zookeeper]

32. Yes, if I could stay on a bike path.

No way if I had to share the road with Ford F150s and Suburbans.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

36. Not for 12,000+ dollars I wouldnt..

But it is a cool bike..

[B3Nut]

38. OOoooooo! Me want!!!!!

That is too cool! Pricey, but if I could swing it I would soooo buy one. I'd need to find a way to finegle a good hi-fi system, but that's what Madisound and Parts Express and super-efficient class-D amplifiers are for... :D

Human-electric hybrid...I could drive a geeky vehicle and whip my ass into shape at the same time! As long as there's room to stow my laptop and lunch, I would happily commute 15 miles each way in this. I could hop the bike path that runs a block and a half from my house to right in front of my workplace.

OK, I admit it. I'm a geek. :D

[InsultComicDog]

No but this looks like fun

[InsultComicDog]

39. No but this looks like fun

[taterguy]

41. Your employer lets you take your dog to work?

I'm envious

[InsultComicDog]

57. well, I'm unemployed and don't even have a dog

but it looks like fun.

[EnviroBat]

40. Yep, I sure would...

But I'd probably get crushed by some asshole in a Ford Excretion...

[Summer93]

42. Sleek looking

I have seen others like this on websites here in the US.

Here we expect one thing to do all things. I laugh when someone suggests that being in a car is safe on the highway. Every night there are news reports of people who have lost their lives in car accidents. We also can't conceive of a vehicle that does not make NOISE - the VRoom factor. Also that one vehicle should be able to handle all weather climates in all countries for all people.

How about we try to consider that a modification of the way we look at our own situation. Instead of carting the entire notebook from place to place how about taking only a jumpstick it is smaller but carries all the data you need at both ends of the journey. How about thinking of using a bicycle during good weather and a car during inclement weather.

Personally I may not be capable of riding a bike but I can envision it to be useful for a portion of the people for a portion of the time.

How about negotiating schedule of work for those people and companies where it would work. How many people would be happier if they didn't have to get on the highway for an hour commute? Our current strategy assumes that all people want to spend an hour in traffic, along with the pollution, to arrive at work every day at the same time, then eight hours later do the same the other direction. Sometimes if there is an accident it might keep traffic blocked for three hours or more. I will grant you that there are jobs where people must be onsite and people must use trucks in order to do their jobs.

Must we always think in the box that have been marketed to us?

[Andrea]

51. Good post!

Thanks!

[Richard Steele]

46. Nope. My Honda scooter is currently far more practical for navigating a small US city....

...like the one I live in. There are no bike lanes worth mentioning,
and many of the streets I use have 30 or 35mph speed limits.

They'd have to completely re-design most US cities before that
thing would be practical to use. An 8-foot-wide "bike only" lane
on every street- that sort of thing.

[taught_me_patience]

47. One gust of wind

looks like it would topple that. I can also imagine some pranksters walking down the street pushing these little tin cans over. In some ways it would be funny...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

48. They have three wheels and a very low center of gravity

Supposedly, they've been very well tested and do not tip over in the wind, unlike an upright two-wheel bicycle and rider. You're probably right about vandalism, though, as even cars get keyed and have things poured over them.

[CK_John]

50. Time to buy, build, or invest in rickshaws and learn to weld. n/t

[lpbk2713]

53. Actually, I think I'd just as soon have my '76 Pinto over that skateboard with windows.

Even if only to piss Nader off. :eyes:

[Fumesucker]

65. Unsafe at any speed

Was about the Corvair, not the Pinto.

Specifically the 64 and earlier Corvair with the swing axle rear suspension..

GM redesigned the rear suspension on the Corvair for the 65 and made it considerably more sophisticated, very similar to the Corvette actually.

[lpbk2713]

69. I didn't say anything at all about "Unsafe at any Speed", you did.

... but if you need corroborating info ...


Link: http://www.h-net.org/~business/bhcweb/publications/BEHprint/v027n2/p0390-p0401.pdf

Read the first paragraph of the article with the title ...

The Ford Pinto Case and the Development of Auto Safety Regulations, 1893-1978

... Dowie, along with well-known consumer advocate Ralph Nader, held a press conference in Washington, DC on August 10, 1977, to draw attention to the case.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

54. Lots of velomobiles are being built by do-it-yourselfers

For anyone interested, these are the plans for the basic bicycle on which I would like to build a velomobile. The plans cost $75.

http://www.rqriley.com/xr2.htm

It can be easily done by a do-it-yourselfer in a garage, covering a urethane foam core with vinylester resin. The estimated cost for the bicycle, excluding wheels would be $288. To fully enclose it, get decent light-weight wheels and an electric motor and batteries I think could be done for somewhere between $1000 and $1500. Here's a photo of a man who constructed one of these ultra-light bicycles (26 pounds), minus the fairing. A long wheelbase and a recumbent bike make pedalling pretty easy.



I think a two-wheeled velomobile is the way to go. Eliminating the third wheel I think would not only be lighter, but would also cut down further on friction. You can easily construct a lever to have two extra auxiliary wheels, probably lightweight roller blade wheels, descend and raise up again when you need to stop and start up again at traffic lights. I would eliminate the handle bars and use an underseat steering mechanism (very common on these recumbent bikes) to give it more room. I'll bet that with this type of low-racer bicycle, you could easily attain speeds of 35 mph in the bike lane. One of these XR-2 bicycles, equipped with solar panels won the 2001 Australian solar competition for two-wheelers.

Here are some photos (among many others) of other do-it-yourself velomobiles made by people who are jumping on the gas-free bandwagon:









These are not vehicles made to drive in traffic lanes on surface streets. They are made for bike lanes. Whenever I drive around my neighborhood, I notice bike lanes that are practically deserted. I think bicycles could be a good mode of transportation for short trips or even commuting to the office if it's not more than a few miles away. And enclosed, power-assisted human-electric hybrid bicycles would make it much easier and enjoyable.

[DarkTirade]

56. I couldn't at the moment.

But if I was in a situation where I didn't need to get on the highway or drive others around in my daily routine, I'd go for it.

[Skittles]

59. in the DFW metroplex?

that would be a big fat NO :o

[LanternWaste]

75. I think I could tool along in one of those on I-30 heading east...

I'd avoid I-20 and I-35 (at least in Dallas), but I think I could tool along in one of those on I-30 to and from work (from Eastchase in Ft. Worth to 360 in Arlington) every day. Granted, I'd probably never leave the slow lane, but still...

[Summer93]

62. Interest is in people in various modes

Some available here.

http://www.zapworld.com/

and here

http://www.bicycle-power.com/electric.html

http://bikescape.blogspot.com/2007/09/portland-city-of-bikes.html

[gollygee]

64. So long as everyone else isn't in suburban assault vehicles

don't want to get smooshed. If everyone else is in very small vehicles, then sure.

[Summer93]

72. Crash tests do not favor the hummer

This vehicle came out with a poor rating in side crash tests.

[kevinbgoode]

66. Years ago, I gave my sister a wonderful bumpersticker

that said "My other car is a broom". . .She loved it.

Now she says she wishes she had one.

[guitar man]

67. nope

I think I'll stick with my current ride, better than 50 mpg highway and it just sounds so cool :evilgrin::evilgrin::evilgrin:

[Syntheto]

68. Actually, I've been looking in to it....

...but a finished product is not cheap. Visibility is low, and it is difficult to find a decent place to ride in a serious fashion. When they're modified with the battery assisted wheel hub electric motors, (that amplify your pedaling effort as necessary) they appear viable commuters, but here in St. Louis, it can get pretty Bleeping hot in the summer, so you'd have to shed the upper shell. Maybe an insulated ice bucket with a small fan would help, but you see the problem if you work in an office-type environment, especially one that has no showers. You'd have to bring a week's worth of Docker's and polo shirts, underwear, socks, etc, and then take a sponge bath, "Marine shower" (semper fi) with some sort of deodorant and then off to work, all in the comfort of the company bathrooms. I've been there and done that with a regular bicycle, and am getting my bike ready for another year of the seven mile commute. The big problem is, that painted line on the side of the road for bicycles is not going to prevent somebody putting makeup on, eating breakfast, shaving, reading or on their frigging cell phone from tagging your ass into the next county. We're going to see more bicycle commuters on the road, and we're going to see more cars, trucks and SUVs running over them.

[Ganja Ninja]

71. Only if they have special roads for them.

Which is something we my have to consider at some point. Roads for bicycles and Gas/Electric vehicles of limited speed, size and weight only.

[Summer93]

73. Special roads

We may end up with roads that can handle bikes when there is not enough gasoline to support all the vehicles as it does today.

It looks like it would be a pleasant side effect, quiet and small enough to park easily. Our small towns would be the best place for these modes of transportation.

I would agree that to take one of these into traffic of a highway/freeway does not make sense. I don't think any of them are intended for a 60 mile highway commute. Hopefully, someone who thinks outside the box (probably in another country) will come up with a different vehicle for those people who need does not change from that 60 mile commute.

It doesn't surprise me that people here in America no longer have the confidence to think about possibilities. They have been too fearful to think of taking care of themselves and their future.

[backscatter712]

74. I just picked up this:

Call it my small blow for reducing my carbon footprint...

As far as special roads go, a lot of towns in Colorado already have them - they're called bike trails.

I can actually ride almost all the way to work on bike trails - instead of cars, trucks, accidents and smog, I can deal with grass, trees, birds and lakes during my commute. The trails I use go past some streams and lakes, and through some nice neighborhoods and a golf course. It's a hell of a lot more pleasant than the usual arterials I take to work when I drive my car.

Dunno if they'd let a motorized trike on them though...

[Summer93]

76. Thanks for the reminder

Cape Cod has beautiful bike trails. Some of them were formerly train tracks but got remade into bike trails. It would be nice if that could be done in other areas.

[taterguy]

79. You'll be dead in a week

Haven't you read the other posts in this thread?

It's just not "safe" to ride a bicycle.

:sarcasm: in case you couldn't tell.

Congratulations on your new purchase.

Happy trails.

[annabanana]

77. If I could drive it on the sidewalk, sure!

Not if I have to get out in the street with buses and huge 18 wheelers...

[mountainvue]

78. Does it have a radio? n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

81. Bicycle "freeways" expanding in California

This link describes major projects throughout California to develop separate bicycle freeways and walkways using abandoned railroad rights of way including old tunnels.

http://www.americantrails.org/resources/railtrails/CArail.html

It appears that Marin County is leading the way in this effort, with the help of Senator Barbara Boxer with the proposed construction of over 90 miles of separate bicycle paths in that county alone.

http://www.marinbike.org/News/Releases/PilotPgm.shtml

"...The total estimated cost for building Marin County's complete bicycle and pedestrian network is over $100 million. The plan calls for constructing a network of bike lanes, sidewalks, and pathways. A highlight of the plan is the creation of a North-South Greenway parallel to Highway 101 along the railroad right-of-way that will be separated from cars, and pass through tunnels and over trestles, providing a flat, safe and direct route to transit hubs, shopping centers, businesses, schools, and residences. Marin County will combine the $25 million from the federal government with Regional Measure 2 funds, Measure A monies, and through leveraging additional sources will build as much of the bicycle/pedestrian network as possible over the next five years. ..."

[El Pinko]

83. Without major restructuring to US roadways, NO WAY.

I'd feel safer on a bicycle on the shoulder than in that thing.



My car gets 42 mpg, and if I had the money, I'd probably have a hybrid.

But sorry, riding in that surrounded by regular cars and SUVs would scare the crap out of me.