In a minimalist future, where people would commute with personal vehicles but wouldn’t afford big, petrol-consumers, human hybrid three wheelers could become popular. By using them, at least three problems would instantly disappear: pollution, energy expenses and fat.
That’s pretty much how Cameron and Rachael Van Dyke think, who together share interests in design, architecture, entrepreneurship, fine art, theater and plenty other such things. One of their recent projects is an experimental Zeppelin-lookalike vehicle they’ve brought at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The small and aerodynamically designed three-wheeler is one of two new concepts unveiled as part of the Future Cycles, which aims “to combine the weather protection and carrying capacity of a car with the efficiency of a bicycle.” The human electric hybrid vehicle is powered by two riders in combination with a 750w electric rear motor. Built of lightweight materials such as aluminum and polycarbonate, Zeppelin weighs just 270 lbs (120kg) and has a 20 mile electric range.
According to its makers the vehicle meets the legal definition of a bicycle at the federal level and in many states that makes it legal with no need of additional license, registration or insurance required. Have we seen it before? Sort of.
Take the Pedalist, a low slung lightweight silhouette fitted with skinny bicycle wheels, pedals and a rudimentary steering. There’s even a solar-powered, electric bicycle we had the chance to learn about, called Elf. The first was a plastic tall car with no battery, the second has everything you need to drive long distance only that it costs about 10 grand.
Still, we admire the innovation some people are working with so we figured it was worth sharing.
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