Velomobile World/Cycle-Con 2024 Booth Interview!

This year Velomobile World chose to allow test rides of the Bulk velomobile for the first time at Cycle-Con. From the large numbers of folks lining up at their booth and the constant sight of velomobiles on the test track I think they made quite an impression on the new riders. Jan talks about some test riders, the new versions of the Bulk and a new distributor for them on the west coast.
You can find out much more about Velomobile World on their website here: www.velomobile...

[@coniow]

Thank you Gary, you are doing us all a great service here! I think there is a mind-set that thinks a Velo is just a bike (Trike) with an all around fairing. They are not. Once you have actually ridden in one you soon realise that they are different, but also 'complementary.' You dress differently to ride, you take different things, you prepare differently. You also ride in the RAIN and SNOW. You even SHOP differently, as you don't have to strap everything down, just throw it in and tuck it away! And you talk to loads of people having WTF moments ;-)

[@Lufftschwimmer]

The best advertisement for a product ist the product istself !

[@markfeldman6509]

They look great. Biggest problem is I don’t think I could sneak one into my garage unnoticed.

[@mnveloguy]

I use a motorcycle cover to “hide” mine when shopping. Maybe a large black mass in the garage would go unnnoticed? No homey, it’s ok. I’ll clean the garage this time 😂

[@audax_rider]

O LOL. That's the most important reason why I don't have wife :D

[@user1522p]

If you think you won't be seen in a velomobile, then you have never ridden one. In Europe they are much more popular, and many Europeans use a velomobile as a car substitute.

[@daviddownes248]

Velomobiles certainly look cool ! They are in a special branch of cycling that works well under controlled road conditions such as on a closed racing track. Velomobiles inspire ongoing innovation in design. They strive to achieve improvements in aerodynamics and speed . Some designs may provide protection from adverse weather conditions such as rain. Many combination bike / pedestrian trails have posted speed limits; typically from 20 or 25 mph. They probably would not be safe for use in city traffic including cars and trucks where safety and visibility are important factors. 🖖

[@mnveloguy]

I’ve been riding mine on road here in Minneapolis for several years. I commute several times a week with it in traffic. Trust me, drivers see Velomobiles. I know this because car occupants have their phones out recoding me regularly. I’m a rock star here in my area 😎

[@coniow]

@@mnveloguy On my ride home I often have a queue of cars behind me as the one in front delays passing (even when the road is clear), as they want to look a little longer. Phones are frequently out the passenger window to snatch a pic. ("Yes, I really DID see that ? . . . . What . . . TF . . . ) Don't get one if you are not prepared to talk about it !

[@Frazec_Atsjenkov]

The main problem with these vehicles is something inherent in their designs: their low profile. This profile means that they are easily obscured by hedges, parked cars, etc. Being unseen is the most dangerous thing in traffic. The low profile also deters your own ability to view the traffic situation. The other problem with it is something that is not inherent, but our current roads are not designed for these vehicles. They are too fast for bicycle paths and too slow for the main road. That being said, I otherwise love the concept and would be driving one if not for the danger.

[@Pink-Velo]

People always say they dont see you. so i say yes thats right but if they would look they can see me. but ofcourse there are places where it is difficult to be seen but there we would ride slow to have some reaction time. and today a driver saw me very late on a place where i am very easy to see and where you can aspect traffic because its next to a supermarket but he was eating his sandwich while driving and that distracted him enough to be scared when he saw me.

[@mnveloguy]

This is a normal reaction, but think about it. How many geese and turkeys have you hit while driving? They are low to the ground and the color of pavement. And yet the flocks of them that stand in the middle of the road here never seem to turn to roadkill. Or how about the lines on the pavement? Drivers can see those too. Yes, you should be careful around hedges, but that can be handled by pulling into the lane and proceeding cautiously so you can stop if needed. Otherwise, Velomobiles are very visible in my experience. I have drivers slowing to watch me all the time. People give me much more room when passing. Plus, if you did get hit, the shell will protect you and you won’t go flying over the handle bars. Only one velomobile rider has ever been killed in the U.S. Hit by a drunk driver. Had he been in a car, he still would have been killed.

[@daviddownes248]

​@@mnveloguy I've got to admit , I've never run over a goose or turkey. I did however witness an accident between a bus and a pigeon. The pigeon was standing on the shoulder of the road with its back facing incoming traffic when a bus pulled into a bus stop. There was a loud popping sound followed by a poof with feathers floating in the breeze ! With regards to velomobiles, I think they look cool. I like the innovative design. I like that bright colors that can improve visibility. I would suggest adding flashing safety lights and a safety flag. I think it would be best to ride it on closed roadway or bike trail. On combination bike / hike trails ; cyclists should respect the safety of pedestrians and slow down when passing them. Pedestrians should be able to feel safe and comfortable when out for a stroll along a bike / hike trail. I like that velomobiles can provide some protection in the rain as well as some protection in a minor collision with another vehicle . I feel that velomobiles can be used in open roads with light to moderate traffic if there is a reasonable wide shoulder . I have been cycling for over 60 years. In that time I have been hit by cars on 4 separate occasions. I was riding traditional upright bicycles at the time and was able to walk away from 3 of the accidents although the bikes were in worse condition. The 4th accident resulted in me going the hospital with a fractured hip. The accident occurred one block from where I live. There are good points to everything in life. There are potential risks involved to most anything you may do or even choose not to do. It's important for people to recognize potential risks and manage those risks responsibly . Cycling can be fun and good form of exercise. That being said, I would strongly advise caution when doing any form of cycling in heavy city traffic. 🖖

[@mnveloguy]

@@daviddownes248 I have found that bike trails actually carry more risk than riding on the road, regardless of form of bike I’m riding. Odd as that may sound, the reason is that drivers are used to watching the road for traffic, but not so used to watching the trails. Trails have a lot of crossings of driveways where you have to slow and watch for a possible car pulling out. Those cars are very focused on the road, because of course they don’t want to get hit by another car, but they are not as focused on trail traffic. There are a lot more cars in the road than trail unsers. Plus, trails are not a great place to ride 25-30mph, the typical cruising speed for Velomobiles. All Velomobiles that Velomobile World sells come with full lighting systems including a flashing mode. The models on display had the special light module up over the rider’s head that really helps with visibility. It’s essentially like putting bright lights up on your helmet. I know a few people that have added flags, and if that’s something you feel is necessary, you can always do that, but for me I’ve found the light module and riding the most unusual vehicle on the road is more than enough for safety, along with being a defensive rider just like I would be a defensive car driver. As for crashes, I have a friend who was hit from behind at 50mph on a rainy day by a truck. He walked away with minor scratches. Zero chance that would have been the case with any other form of bike. He has since repaired the velomobile and is preparing to ride it across the country from Detroit to phoenix.

[@daviddownes248]

​@@mnveloguy I had a friend of mine seriously injured while riding a recumbent trike by a car pulling out of a driveway. I'm a strong advocate for cycling in general. I have enjoyed riding my recumbent trike for the past 9 years. I especially enjoy riding on bike trails. I feel it's important to come to a full stop and look both ways before crossing a street from a bike trail. Every year I participate in the Annual Ride of Silence where we remember and ride to the locations where cyclists have been killed. I just received an email about a pedestrian being killed by a car while he was walking on a sidewalk. I'm have become increasingly concerned when cycling knowing that my head is at the same hight of a pickup truck's front bumper. I acknowledge that velomobiles can provide some protection in minor collisions with motor vehicles and more protection than cycles without an outdoor shell. That being said I would still advise caution when deciding to ride in heavy city traffic !!!!

[@alisonleach1552]

To fking expensive

[@alisonleach1552]

Zzzzzz Zzzzzz 😂