[Velomobile] Twike

[Frederik Van De Walle]

Not a velomobile in my eyes. A velomobile in my opinion is defined by the requirements of human power. With electrical assist, power levels should remain within human power magnitudes to remain a velomobile. When the electric engine becomes stronger, it starts to dominate the character of the vehicle. You become dependent on it. Before you know it, you end up with a motor vehicle. Such is the case with the Twike, it started as a too big, heavy and slow hpv and found its purposes as a little efficient motor vehicle before its time. Vehicle weight is light for a car, but very heavy if one would count it as a velomobile. Pedal power is mostly an exercise gimmick as it represents maybe 5% of the total available power. 

If this kind of electrical vehicle is of interest, also have a look at the coming Renault Twizy. A little light electrical commuter vehicle that is both likable, practical in town and that will be relatively very cheap.

/Frederik