Some vehicles of our near future appear to be more certain to succeed than others.
Escooter sharing schemes are having a moment, too.
Cars are massive and arent a great option for traveling through the busy cities.
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In short, Canyon envisions a fully-enclosed bathtub-sized vehicle, thats powered by both its driver and electricity.
Its part car, part bicycle.
It is a concept right now, but a clear statement of intent, Arnold told me.
Canyon is specifically targeting customers that want to travel sustainably year round and want to show it too.
Fully faired recumbent bicycles arent fully sealed from the elements.
Despite some bodywork, many have holes on the underside where the pedals and wheels are.
You charge it at home from a mains plug, like an electric car.
There will also be a heater for the winter months and to prevent the windows from fogging up.
Adding an extra ounce of versatility is the luggage space behind the driver.
Canyon says this is big enough for a child or a few boxes.
The most alluring point is the pedal car shouldnt be too expensive either.
Canyon says its aiming for somewhere below the 7,000 mark.
As Ive mentioned, fully faired recumbent bikes are nothing new.
Theres a Dutch company called Velomobiel thats well known in the human-powered vehicle world for its car-like recumbent bikes.
But outside of Holland, youll almost never see these things on the road.
In part, it was also massively ahead of its time.
Arnold says Canyon will begin testing its pedal car in its hometown of Koblenz, Germany.
Beyond there, it really depends on what countries are most receptive of the idea.
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Another company uses the word Podbike as a brand name, it has been removed to avoid confusion.
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Story byMatthew Beedham
Matthew is the editor of SHIFT.
He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.
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