A velomobile, for those who don’t know, is a human powered vehicle. Also known as a bicycle car, these things are based off of the recumbent bikes and tricycles, and have a full, aerodynamic outer shell that protects them from weather and crashes.

Most of these devices are three or four wheeled, though two wheeled versions exist. Bicycle car really is the most accurate name for these things, since they are pedalled and steered like a bicycle.

There are multiple kinds; hybrids that have both pedals and a motor, streamliners made for racing, models both with the head of the rider exposed and with the head covered.

30 iconic velomobile designs

In the past 85 years, we’ve seen velomobiles pop up time and time again. So to celebrate the many different models, we have a big graphic with 30 of the most iconic velomobile designs since the 1930’s.



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A closer look at the different designs

Aerorider SPORT

Built by one of the world’s very few corporate entities to produce velomobiles, Aerorider SPORT is the luxury version of their flagship product, the Aerorider. It’s the classy 3-wheeled convertible of the velomobile world. Designed by Kjelt Wijma and Bart de Wert, the Aerorider SPORT was released in 2000, and there are dealerships for it in the Netherlands, USA and Germany. It comes equipped with lights and storage compartments for luggage, and is known for its low center of gravity and comfortable seating.

Alleweder

If you’re starting to see a trend here, that’s because the Netherlands is one of the biggest centers for human-powered vehicles (HPVs) and clean transportation methods in the world. And that includes the Alleweder KV4, a well-respected member of the velomobile family. The KV4 is known for its durability; its hard aluminium frame and full suspension make it pretty resilient to just about anything the world throws at it. The KV4 is manufactured by Alligt, which produces all sorts of velomobile models and parts.

Trisled Aquila

This velomobile looks like something you’d see flying around in space. The sleek design is known for its style and fully enclosed interior. The Aquila was made for racing; it’s aerodynamically superior to many other velomobiles and in the hands of a good rider it can easily win. However, owners can mod the Aquila with mirrors and lights to make it more appropriate for casual use. The Aquila was designed and built by Trisled, an Australian HPV production company, and sells for $8500 Australian dollars.

Arion 1

Known as the world’s fastest bicycle, it’s equally well known for its rather amusing shape. The mature and cultured fans of the Arion have noted that the velomobile kind of looks like a giant dildo (Literally the first headline when you google Arion 1 reads “the world’s fastest bike looks like a 90-MPH Space Dildo”). It’s hilarious design aside, the Arion 1 is very aerodynamic (stop laughing), and potentially fast enough to exceed the current world speed record of 83.13 MPH. The Arion 1 was built by the University of Liverpool Velocipede Team (ULV Team), which is made up of 16 students. Along with the ULV Team, there are three professionals who have been riding the Arion 1 (Ok guys, it’s not funny anymore) to attempt to beat the world record.

DuoQuest

Not all velomobiles look like a dick joke waiting to happen. In fact, some of them look cool. Really cool. At first glance, the DuoQuest looks like a high end sports car. It’s got a classy, smooth design to it. The DuoQuest was made for style and for cruising, there’s no doubt about that. This two-seater is the perfect couple’s bike. It’s like a tandem bike that’s comfortable. The downside is that the company behind DuoQuest, Velomobiel, has only built one, and has no current intentions of making more. For now, owning your own DuoQuest is just a dream.

ELF 1.5/2FR

The ELF 1.5 is the two-seater velomobile from US company Organic Transport . ELF is a cute little three-wheeled velomobile that looks sort of like a SMART car, with the passenger seat behind the rider. It also comes with a storage area for your cargo, as well as lights and even turn signals. This velomobile is produced in a multitude of colours, and they also have a “tactical” model available for police departments to purchase. They aren’t cheap though; they cost between $5500 US Dollars and $6500 USD.

Fantom

The Fantom was designed in Sweden by Kjall Andersson, but not produced. The 1940’s velomobile was sold in the form of drawings, which were intended to be used as a guide to help people build their own versions of the Fantom. The four wheeled velomobile definitely has the feel of a 1940’s car to it. Over the years, many hobbyists have built their own Fantoms, so they crop up from time to time.



FAW+

This velomobile has a toy rocketship kind of style to it. It’s a cool, interesting design with two front wheels and one rear. FAW stands for Flevo Alleweder. The FAW+ is an improvement on the original FAW from the 1990s, designed to be safer, faster and stronger. Aside from being very handy for casual use, the FAW+ is also lightweight and is often used for racing. The FAW+ can be found for sale in the USA and Europe.

Flevobike Orca

Another of the Netherlands many innovations in the velomobile community, the Flevobike Orca, released in 2011, has been well-received by velomobile enthusiasts. The Orca is known for having better handling and safety and being more comfortable than its predecessor. It comes in a range of different colours, and is praised for being low maintenance. If you’re living outside of Europe and you want one though, you’re out of luck. Currently, the Orca is only sold in the European Union.

Go-One Evo-R-

This futuristic space-pod looking velomobile hails from Germany. It is the race-ready modified version of the high-speed Go-One Evolution. The Evo-R- has two versions. The “Top version” is the more expensive model, with a stiff chassis and a slightly lighter weight. It’s made with top quality interior parts, with comfort in mind. The “Carbon version” is made with carbon fiber and weighs about one kilogram more. Richard Dahne won the 2014 HPV World Championships in an Evo-R-.

HEPAV

I’m sure your bicycle is pretty alright. It’s fast, it gets you places. But can it be used as a boat? No? Well the HEPAV velomobile can. The amphibious velocar comes from the mind of inventor David Buckwaldek. It’s a tricycle with an electric motor and a water-proof shell. While on land, it functions like most other velomobiles, but it can seamlessly travel in water. While in water it moves similarly to a kayak. The creator envisions it as the perfect companion to people who frequently travel between islands. A video of the HEPAV entering water can be found here.

Hornet

The hornet is one of Canada’s very own velomobiles, created by velomobile manufacturer BlueVelo. This one has a rectangular shape with rounded edges (the yellow one kind of looks like a banana, if that helps you visualize it) and three wheels. The Hornet comes with an electric engine as well to combine the power of electricity and pedaling, and is known for its comfort, handling and its ability to tackle hills. This velocar comes with full suspension, and can be upgraded to have lights, turn signals and even a horn.

Leiba Classic

If you choose a Leiba classic, you’re choosing to have options. This German velomobile comes with all kinds of optional features, like having an electric motor assist for example. The Leiba is designed to handle any conditions you put it through; it has slits in the canopy to prevent the windows from fogging and it’s got a sturdy frame. The Leiba Classic is comfortable, stylish and practical. The Leiba Classic is also on the cheaper end of the velomobile price range, starting at €5000.

Leitra

Carl Georg Rasmussen made one of the first modern velomobiles in 1980. It has a low centre of gravity and combined with the positioning of the front wheels, the Leitra is safe and has a very low risk of tipping or turning over. It’s made to practically cover long distances without problems. The frame is built strong and resilient to abrasion; the Leitra was built for use anywhere by anyone.

LeMans

The LeMans is a velomobile made for racing. Its design has excellent aerodynamics, and it’s got a large capacity for speed. The low ground clearance isn’t suited for harder conditions you might find in casual use, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t use the LeMans around the city. Like most velomobiles, the LeMans is a tricycle. The design came from Joel Vincent, from France, and the first completed model was released in 2012.

Liberty SUV

When you hear the words Liberty SUV, what do you picture? A big 7 seater dodge? Whatever image popped in your head, I can guarantee it was wrong. The Liberty SUV is a velomobile that is built to look like a tiny SUV car. See, SUV in the velomobile world doesn’t stand for Sports Utility Vehicle. It stands for Sustainable Utility Velomobile. This velocar is the flagship product from the US company Liberty Velomobiles. The Liberty SUV comes with many of the comforts of a car; lots of storage, stability, lights and turn signals.

Lightning F-40

The lightning F-40 is one of the fastest produced bicycles in the world, setting a record for clearing a 4800 kilometre journey in just over 5 days. The US-made bike is an excellent choice for racing; it stands up against many custom one of a kind velomobiles, and has great versatility. It has also been noted for being a great choice for casual riders. This bike’s body fairing is mostly spandex, however, so while it is extremely lightweight, it’s also lacking in some of the safety features standard in other velomobiles.

Mango Sport

From the Netherlands’ Sinner Bikes comes the Mango Sport, a classy hot-rod looking recumbent velomobile with 3 wheels. Its design is reminiscent of sports cars. However, this velomobile doesn’t just look good, it’s also a fast one, capable of holding its own in a race setting. It has a wide wheel base and low centre of gravity, making it hard to tip over, and it’s known for having excellent handling. Riders have the option of fitting it with an electric assist.

Marvelo SKR

Canada’s Marvelo SKR is a relatively new addition to the world of velomobiles, having just been released in 2013, but it’s definitely a good one. The idea behind the SKR was to make a fast but comfortable addition to the velomobile world. The SKR is built with a large cockpit for riders of all shapes and sizes. The design team, headed by Jon Reinsch, took inspiration from the German and Dutch velomobiles, and it shows in the design and shape.

Milan MK2

The Milan MK2 and its brother, the MK1, are speed demons. Their aerodynamic shell and electric assist allows them to get up to speeds reaching 60 km/h. The MK2 is a little larger than the MK1, and uses a little more energy. It’s made for a wider variety of riders.

Mulsanne

The Mulsanne is CyclesJV-Fenioux’s second velomobile to hit the market. The Mulsanne was designed to be used in every kind of setting; it works well for casual and urban use, however it also has incredible speed and aerodynamic superiority over many other velomobiles. It can tackle hills without too much trouble and is incredibly comfortable, but it’s also made to leave other velomobiles in its dust on tracks.

Quest

The Quest, a product of Velomobiel (who have a previous spot on our list) is the fast, casual-use velomobile for all types of riders. The Quest is popular because of its versatility; while it’s no boat-bike, it can handle hills, it can handle the elements, and it can handle itself. The steering and controls on the Quest are loved and well-received. Like other casual velomobiles, the Quest is designed to limit the possibility of tipping over and reduce the damage sustained in accidents.

Radius TT

With its unique back end, the Radius TT, especially in hot-rod red, looks like a mini rocket ship. Only instead of navigating the vastness of space, you’ll be cruising around the city or the track with this thing. Built in the USA by self-proclaimed tinker Dave Langkamp, the Radius TT was made to help Dave get around town. This “show stopper”, as he put it, was Dave’s personal project that got a lot of attention from the velomobile community for the excellent craftsmanship and design.

Rotovelo

The Rotovelo comes to us from Trisled, who proudly proclaim that it is the strongest velomobile on the market. The fairing is made to be extremely durable and resistance, and it has to be since that is one of the Rotovelo’s main selling features. Designed by Ben Goodall, the Rotovelo is a good companion for casual riders, with good amounts of luggage space and lights/mirrors on it. You can get versions with a top and without.

Strada

The Strada, which hails from the Netherlands, has a similar look to the Rotovelo, as well as its fellow Dutch velomobiles. This one also comes from Velomobiel, and is built with a small turning radius and excellent handling and maneuverability. Do not expect a bumpy ride when you get in a Strada. This velomobile was made for comfort. It also has a good resistance to the weather and elements, and is a safe ride.

Sunrider II

Sunrider II is the baby of Sunrider Cycles . Their first Sunrider was a huge success, so the designers were shooting for the stars with this follow-up. Designed to have a sports-car vibe to it, the Sunrider II is the definition of classy cycling. It’s got style, it’s comfortable, its speed is impressive and it can handle whatever you plan to do with it. Fans of the original Sunrider can be nothing but thrilled to see this incredible successor.

Velocar Type H

The Type H is a French velomobile from the 30’s, which now sits in the Microcar Museum in Madison, Georgia. The velomobile itself was recovered after World War 2, but the original designer was Charles Mochet. The Type H was highly sought after especially during Nazi occupation, as fuel was a scarce commodity and riding a Type H was free (getting one, on the other hand, cost a pretty penny).

Velocity Velo Basic

The three-wheeled Velocity Velo Basic comes from the USA company Velocity Velos . This velomobile has a strong, sturdy fiberglass body, and is lauded for its safe design and stability. The Basic comes as a part of Velocity Velos’ new initiative to make velomobiles more affordable, and thus expand the market for them. While most Velomobiles cost from $5000 USD to $10,000 and beyond, the Basic has a relatively small price tag: $3399.00 USD.

Velotilt

I’ve said it before about other velomobiles on this list, but seriously, the Velotilt looks like a space ship! But even when it’s cruising Earth-side, it’s a really cool futuristic looking machine. You see, it’s called the Velotilt because the wheels actually tilt while turning. Designed for maximized maneuverability at high speeds, the Velotilt is an attempt at revolutionizing velomobiles. Velotilt comes from the mind of Will Schermer and the blood sweat and tears of his team.

WAW

The WAW velomobile caught all kinds of attention when it was first designed, for being among the lightest velomobiles in the world. Its total weight is only 27 kilograms, and combined with its aerodynamic fairing this velomobile is one of the fastest out there. In the velomobile community, there’s a lot of appreciation and demand for the WAW. It is now produced by the Czech Republic company Katanga, but it was originally made by Belgium’s own Frederik Van De Walle. Its specs are some of the best on the market.

Why choose a velomobile

There are three good reasons for choosing a velomobile instead of a normal bike:

First of all, velomobiles are more comfortable than normal bikes. No matter how far you go, you can’t get uncomfortable since your weight is carried by a long seat instead of a small saddle. You also don’t experience any pressure on your wrists and arms, which means that there is less change of stress related injuries.Most velomobilists also think it’s very nice that the outer shell protects them from rain and bad wheather (I definitely thought so when I tried a Leitra while it was raining a lot. It was very enjoyable to sit protected from the rain – and the feeling didn’t decrease when I looked out and saw all the normal cyclists get more and more wet).

Velomobiles are also safer than normal bikes. In a velomobile, you sit protected by the shell and the frame of the bike, which means that they will get hit before you if a car clown drives into you.

Finally, velomobiles are faster than normal bikes. Almost all the fastest bike records are set using velomobiles.If you thread with a 100 watt, you will go around 13 mph (21 km/h) on a normal bike. Are you threading the same 100 watt in a velomobile, you will go around 21 mph (34 km/h).

Why there aren’t more velomobiles

Considering the advantages, it might seem strange that there aren’t more velomobiles. In most places they are a very rare sight.

The reasons velomobiles are so rare are:

Velomobiles are rather big and take up a lot of space on the bike lanes. They are therefore rather unpractical in the cities and best used if you are going long distances outside cities with lots of traffic and narrow bike lanes.

Velomobiles are heavier than other bikes, so they can be difficult to get started when the light turns green. They can also be difficult to bike uphill. These difficulties are the main reason that some velomobiles are equipped with an engine.

Another problem is the price. Velomobiles are rare and there aren’t any companies that mass-produce lots of these bikes. Even the cheapest models cost around $5,000 USD – or around 6 times as much as a nice normal bike.

Velomobiles vs. electric bikes

As much as I like velomobiles, I don’t think they will ever become mainstream. Instead, I think we will see more and more electric bikes since they offer some of the same advantages:

First of all, electric bikes also allows you to go faster than on a normal bike. And because you use less energy, you can also go longer distances on an electric bike than on a normal bike (just like you can in a velomobile).

Electric bikes aren’t as heavy as most velomobiles and they always have an engine, so they are easier to get started when the light turns green and they are also easier to bike uphill with (actually it is easier to do both things on an electric bike than on a normal bike).

Most electric bikes are also cheaper than the average velomobile. Because there are several companies mass-producing electric bikes, you can find several good models for around $2,000 USD.

For most people it makes more sense to invest in an electric bike than a velomobile, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like velomobiles. I really do like them a lot and if we didn’t live in the middle of Copenhagen, I would definitely consider buying one.