There's a BETTER Way to Commute

While sitting stationary in the morning traffic, have you ever thought that there must be a better way for commuting? How about trying a velomobile?
So here's few tips on how to commute by a velomobile.
Milan SL velomobile provided by www.velomobileworld.com
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Capters:
0:00 How about trying a velomobile?
0:25 Why you should commute by a velomobile
1:27 What you need
2:01 What kind of velomobile you should get
3:50 What else you need for daily commuting
5:07 Milan SL
5:45 How to commute by a velomobile
6:06 Additional tip
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Velomobiel.nl Quattrovelo: en.velomobiel.nl
Azub Max: www.azub.eu
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#saukki #velomobile #commuting

[@katcorot]

Dry in winter, No sunburn in summer. Not to mention need for speed. I miss my velo :(

[@adamt195]

Thanks for doing this video. Velomobiles really could be a great option for so many people instead of driving to work. We just need more people to be educated on it and increase the production scale of velomobile manufactures.

[@tri-seeker2753]

We need parking! That is so crucial and could render velo completely useless. My commute is pretty short (relatively) and I can use my trike just because I am able to take it through all doors to inside. Leaving such "bicycle" outside basically begs for going home by BUS...

[@adamt195]

@@tri-seeker2753 protected parking at work is definitely important. I work for a cycling company and we have tons of bike parking inside but it's all wall hooks for a front wheel to minimize space. And then there's a whole parking lot for 100 cars that's free. I think velos could benefit from cargo bike parking, which is a thing in the Netherlands. Although it would probably need to be outside. But it could be covered and possibly secured behind a gate. Just bring a nice lock with you.

[@tri-seeker2753]

@@adamt195 Well, I have no idea how velos could be locked, but secuder place is more important than covered - both here have nice hoods that can take rain easily. But leaving velo parking on a free-to-come lot? For anybody just to throw it into a van and go? naaah...

[@4nz-nl]

@@adamt195 Cargo bike parking? Most parking garages here don't do anything except racks for conventional two wheelers. I'm making a point out of it everywhere I can - aside from velomobiles we also have threewheelers etc. and it's not very inclusive. At work, I just put my bike under the stairs inside the office :)

[@4nz-nl]

@@tri-seeker2753 And a shower is comfortable. My employer is constructing one for me :)

[@4nz-nl]

Tip from another commuter: Use a bag for frozen food with a few bags of silica gel to carry your laptop. It's light and if you put a warm laptop in a cold bike, this will keep it alive.

[@kiwi_velonaut]

Great video Saukki, I look forward to your next one.

[@N.i.l]

Excellent and very useful video Saukki!! well done!

[@sempi8159]

Great video!

[@andyhammond3473]

One tip I found online is that if a shower is not available have a shower before you start the commute and then change into clean clothes and use some deodorant after you have stopped sweating. I use this method, and have yet to have anyone complain. Another tip to help reduce smell is to wear wool clothing as it does not hold on to odors.

[@mohdsabreeyacob348]

Great video and very interesting to Saukki.. From Malaysia 🇲🇾

[@bobcatt2294]

Thumbs up my brother - you are on the right path. Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@smarkasmc]

👍 Great video 😉

[@andrebrouwer8422]

Before I start my 46 km commute, I always notify my collegue so if I don't arrive at work witin one and a half hour he can start a search party. I don't want to be found the next day with my Quest and stuff lying in a ditch.

[@hoekie3652]

Looks like being verry cautious to me. I never felt the need. I first thought you were making a joke.

[@andrebrouwer8422]

@@hoekie3652 well, it's a long curvy road with steep banks and not much traffic. On the other hand, now I realise I don't send a message when I'm back home ...

[@4nz-nl]

@@hoekie3652 Yup, I know the road that Andre rides. You only end up in the ditch after a 4-5m drop, not so comfortable :) But I also notify people when I start riding. Automatically, because my Wahoo let's people know I'm starting a ride...

[@FantomsNephew]

I have 8(flat)km to work and electric assist on my ride. Not that much viking-ish but still easier to park and less pollution. And no need for shower! 😁 I’m impressed by you guys who pedal long range but would like to emphazise that a velomobile of some kind might be a good alternative for shorter distances aswell. And compared to a car even the quattrovelo comes at a reasonable pricetag. Thanks for all your videos , keep em coming!

[@pg5200]

Well, depending on the conditions a velomobile can be slower than a "classic" bike overall. Typically on a short distance, let's say

[@4nz-nl]

@@pg5200 That's true unless you want to get to work dry. Also, a velomobile is simply comfortable.

[@pg5200]

@@4nz-nl Indeed. That was the main reason I went into velomobiles : before that, I couldn't reach 100km because of the saddle pain... Now I go over 200km without feeling any pain, and that's great :D

[@hoekie3652]

Great video! I would add a spare tire. Which as you know fits easily in a velomobile. When having a flat it's just replacing the tube and tire. No need checking the tire. And add that a small legal 250W e assist and small 7/10Ah battery can be a comfort help also in hilly parts of the Netherlands, pull trailer, lots of traffic lights, backup power and hardly bother at other places. And/or per one button EggRider winter profile. Without that last option I would probably be commuting in winter time by company car solely. Others could have the same commute time restriction like me.

[@vaterchenfrost7481]

Cery good conpact overview! You should get your share of sales from some of manufacturers ;)

[@lomicwind]

I would love too, but I live on the side of a (small) hill and there are climbs in every direction. Not hard climbs, not mountain climbs but still... I would be very slow to go to work and very fast to come back. Plus it is a bit expensive those nice orange bullets.

[@velokernow3696]

I think we have the same light on the roof, an exposure, link+ ? Brilliant video, thanks for advocating velomobiles as an alternative to a car. Of course as they say "the closest thing to a car that's a bike".

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

The light on the video was Topeak Headlux. Not very powerfull, but better than nothing.

[@velokernow3696]

@@TheVelomobileChannel I highly recommend the exposure, it's much brighter than the Topeak version and has multiple modes and rechargeable battery last ages.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Thanks for the tip. 👍

[@NUeB_net]

You should always put your notebook (and most other electronic devices) in a bag to protect it from condensating water inside the velomobile. I don't need to shower at work, just a fresh towel and some deodorant.

[@TheNone724]

If you ignore 25kmh electric assist speed limit something like tsdz2 would make commuting much easier. If you can hit 40-60kmh without electric assist why making velomobile electric would make it any less safe. The law is behind times and with increasing gas prices, electric velomobiles could make big impact for those who don't have much money or those who want very environmentally friendly commuting vehicle. I need to start prototyping coroplast electric velomobile :D

[@The_Cotswold_Cyclist]

No, no, no, ......I really don't need to to tell me how much I need a velomobile for my commute 😜, I'd love one, especially that Milan!! Guess I'll just have to get back in my garage and finish building my (own design) velomobile.

[@2disbetter]

Shower is crucial. I personally got a velomobile to explore how fast I can go under my own power. It is pretty awesome getting to work in a similar time as what it would take to drive. Even though I've used 2 velos to date, I think the one thing that does not get discussed enough is durability and longevity. A full carbon velo with carbon swing arms, etc. will be really light, and awesome, but will it be as durable if you are a stronger rider or heavier? Anyway thanks Saukki for yet another great velo video!

[@4nz-nl]

Concerning shower: If I ride on really low power (up to ~100W continuous/200W acceleration), I can manage 15-20 km without. At that power, it's still faster than any other bicycle except a speed pedelec.

[@jakobthoboll2759]

quite ridicoulus to get a commercial clip for car dealer after watching your video.

[@johnbarron4265]

I wish there were more velomobile dealers in the USA. I also wish more VM manufacturers would explore aluminium-bodied velomobiles and make them aerodynamic like their carbon fiber counterparts. They would sell a ton more if they did that, even if they end up a few kilos heavier. Most cars nowadays are aluminium, so why not VMs too?

[@4nz-nl]

Much more expensive to produce... What's wrong with carbon?

[@johnbarron4265]

@@4nz-nl Carbon is very expensive, and frankly overkill for most commuters. On flat lands, where velomobiles are designed to be used, the extra weight of aluminium should hardly matter. And it really won't matter at all with an electric motor. Of course the demand for VMs isn't high enough to automate production at any scale where sheet metal would be the more economical material, but eventually it will happen, and the cost of VMs will come way down.

[@charliebozzo9948]

Cant wait to see the local donut shop with a line of velos around their building! That would be an oxy moron of the utmost!

[@martinarnsten4203]

Great video! Do traffic lights that detect cars for turning green also detect velomobiles?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Usually not. But people have used something like aluminium foil inside the velomobile to make the traffic lights to detect velomobiles. Maybe I have to try it by myself 🤔

[@kjeldsloot]

@@TheVelomobileChannel I know some road traffic lights that pick up my QuattroVelo. Also bicycle traffic lights in The Netherlands on some places. But in the bigger roads is it possible the lights don't find the velomobile. This is also with motorcycles a problem some times.

[@hoekie3652]

@@kjeldsloot Interesting. AFAIK all traffic lights in my area detect my QuattroVelo. But some I know they just use a rotation scheme.

[@VeloQuest]

@@TheVelomobileChannel a velomobile rider told me to stick my shoe out of the foothol because the metal under you shoe will be detected bij the traffic light.

[@4nz-nl]

I have a metal strip ducttaped to the bottom and it seems to help.

[@julesvelomobile]

Hey sauki, did you know that the Netherlands isn’t completely flat? The south of the Limburg province consists of some hills. Those I don’t want to ride all week long for commuting without e assist. Would be hell! Anyways nice overview!

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yes, I actually knew. But I think the hills over there are not much bigger than the hills we have here where I live.

[@julesvelomobile]

@@TheVelomobileChannel exactly. You live in a country which has more and higher hills

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Yeah we have, but this area where I live is one of the flattest area in Finland 😄

[@julesvelomobile]

@@TheVelomobileChannel right you are. I remember your video where you went looking for some hills 🙂.

[@4nz-nl]

Most people who think of velomobiles complain about going up. I have more fear of going down :-)

[@shaungratton]

Breaks my heart. Way to expensive in Canada.

[@4nz-nl]

Probably still a lot cheaper than a car ;)

[@shaungratton]

@@4nz-nl True. It costs between $15,000 and $20,000 for a velomobile because of the difference in currency values. I think this could do a lot of good for those with disabilities or those who can't get a license because of reasons outside their control.

[@shaungratton]

@@4nz-nl I have bi-lateral optic nerve hypoplasia with nystagmus.

[@bobcatt2294]

My friend, how many velos do you own? Most have more than one :) At 4:30 you have the velo on its side, do you have protection on the side which touches the road?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

I own just one 😄 The other one is borrowed. In this video I explain how I can tilt the velomobile while replacing the tyre by using tool bag & portable mattress. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3uyg6uDaNiCr9k

[@4nz-nl]

@@TheVelomobileChannel To finish the explanation: The Alleweder (aluminum) is not Saukki's, and the Quest is old footage - it's sold now ;)

[@tero1422]

And you also need is about 10 000-15 000 € depending on model and 6-15 months to wait for the velomobile to arrive. With that money you can buy pretty nice car and it wont get stolen so easily. But maeby some day we will have the infrastructure to safely ride and own/store the velos.. And hopefully the prices are more reasonable. The whole bicycle industrie is so overpriced compared to motor industry.

[@pg5200]

I got mine 2nd hand, in a good shape, for a much more reasonable price and without waiting... Although it could be tricky to find the machine that suits your needs, that path should be considered as well :)

[@jakobthoboll2759]

The bicycle industrie is only not so much supported by government. and small numbers of this vehicles increase prices - sadly. So more velomobiles mean cheaper prices. And as pg said: Don't compare a new velomobile to a used car... if you compare it to a new bought car, its a good deal. otherwise, you should also look for a used velomobile for comparison.

[@tero1422]

@@jakobthoboll2759 "Don't compare a new velomobile to a used car... if you compare it to a new bought car, its a good deal." No its not even then a good deal. I live in Finland and we have very high taxes on cars. Still for about 14 000€ you can buy new Dacia Sandero. You have 4 wheels with independent springs and shocks, abs brakes, lights, airbags and much more. Its not a great car, but it will get you from a to b much safer and faster than velomobile. Theres also much more advanced technology in Sandero than in velomobile. I would also like to see more velos, trikes, recumbants and bikes versus cars on the roads but bicycle industry is overprized for what you get. Also car industry has better standards on quality and tolerances, but maeby some day bicycle industry will catch up.

[@4nz-nl]

@@tero1422 That's a low-end mass product. A velomobile is low-tech but a high end low volume product. Cars used to be a lot more expensive too. We just need móre velomobiles, more manufacturers etc.

[@pedalajones]

How many miles are reasonable for a daily commute on smooth roads with a velomobile?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

It depends on how much time you have to spare. I’d say on flat area and on smooth roads you can easily travel 35 km within 1 hour with relatively easy effort.

[@4nz-nl]

Depends very much on the route you choose too. There's a route to my work which is 50 km, I just can't manage to get the travel time under 1h20. Recently I tried a 54 km route and did it in 1h15. Especially when I'm riding hard, it easily takes me 750m to get fully up to cruise speed, so straight roads can be convenient. That, however, also depends on the type of velomobile; mine is not well known for it's good acceleration.

[@doubleV4]

Tänäänkin tulin nojakilla 15km töihin. Ilman hanskoja jääty näpit ja hanskoilla hikos... Poispäin mennessä pitääkin taas metsästää pari ruutua... Mahtaisko toi milan olla myynnissä sun testien jälkeen, ni ei tarttis postittaa pois suomesta?

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Kylläpä se saattaa tulla myyntiin, mutta aikaisintaan ensi kesänä.

[@josedariopinto3728]

If you have $15,000 (US) then you can consider buying a velomobile.

[@TheVelomobileChannel]

Shipping across the pond is quite expensive 🤔

[@jakobthoboll2759]

Comparing it to the buying ( and using costs) of a new car, its quite cheap. Especcially if you look for a used one. Low maintanence costs, no taxes and no fuel costs ad up to a quite good financial bilance over the livetime.

[@MM-ci2cv]

if I had the £ and lived in a flatter part of the world I'd get 1

[@dertodeshorst6294]

😅 Yeah they really need to scale the production to make it below 2.5k Euros on average. Then it would get a much broader audience I think!

[@hoekie3652]

@@dertodeshorst6294 Or just get second hand velomobile.

[@velokernow3696]

I got a second hand one and added a motor as it's so hilly where I am here.