Incredible Bicycle Cars - Human Powered Vehicles

I'm the owner and constructor of the car from the title photo, I'm building Bugatti now in the same way as the SLS AMG ;)

"Cars that you power with your feet. Its already been done." - Fred Flintstone

Now these things are cool. 🙂 If they could only come down in price, I could see a future where these things, regular bicycles (including e-bikes) and public transit work together to make a more eco-friendly city one step at a time. Yes, the batteries are not very eco-friendly, but until something better comes along, this is a step in the right direction.

I REALLY wish they had something like these in the US! With the rising prices on a lot of things including gas these days, I'm sure there would be a strong market for things like these! I would most definitely buy one at a reasonable price if they were available where I live. And I tend not to travel very far anyway, so a bicycle car would be perfect for me!

when i was 10 yrs old (im 50 now) i used to imagine building these and would draw concepts that arent far off from whats been shown here... amazes me a great deal.

the first bike is actually just an electric version of a bike category known as a velomobile. its basically a bike which you lay down to ride, or a recumbent bike, just with full encapsulation so it has a shell around the person which makes it incredibly aerodynamic and fast, however they are very heavy.

I built something like the PodBike 14 years ago. It has 3 wheels, so legal as an ebike in Canada. Recently upgraded batteries to give a 260km, no pedaling range.

The first, light blue and dark gray one, from Northern Light Motors, is a thing of beauty. A well made three wheeler that looks quite retro.

I seriously considered buying such a vehicle when looking for a way to travel without polluting. I had bought an electric bike previously but I feel really unsafe on a bike, and am in fear of punctures that could leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. However these amazing bicycle cars are so expensive that a 'real' second hand car with all its comfort, safety and availability of parts is nearly half the price. I understand the people creating these appealing machines need money for research and production but I am just not rich enough to support them, to my great regret. Because I am elderly, I would go for the Friskar or the Veemo3 as they are completely enclosed, but I would have to try them first to check if I am able to handle them. A dream.

get ideas, cost prohibative for most folks! Affordabilty for the masses is key to success. Think Henry Ford.

I remember riding a Kinner pedal go cart when I was a kid.. they’ve come a long ways! Beautiful pedal rides.. a few not too attractive, but utility friendly

1:48 The Velo has the added cushioning effect for the driver in case of being rear-ended: Bring a child.

The bio hybrid looks awesome and seems very practical, I'd love to see more of those around

A group in my senior year capstone class worked on a vehicle similar to the pod car, Frikar but I don't remember what it was called. I'm sure I could dig it up. It was funded by some rich guy with a team pretty much just working out of his house. Not sure what he was expecting out of some students with the tools and machines available being more generalized. I remember he wanted it to be able to keep you dry while getting out and the top being all glass but a solid piece that moved. I think he really wanted something out of science fiction. Something that not only we as students would have trouble with but also high tech companies. I mean it was probably doable with enough time, money, tools, knowledge, and experience but I know when he explained to the class what he wanted to sell his project to a group everyone just kind of looked at each other.

My E-Bike is heaven sent. I can see so many more things, and places, I could never see in my car. Unfortunately, the USA has very few, if any, sales and maintenance outlets in the USA. Certainly, in the very cold northern area where I live, a velomobile, like these shown, would make traveling in the winter much more possible.

I love the veemo, I wish it was widely available! I think these bike cars are a wonderful mode of transport, a real alternative to cars in urban areas and for short commutes.

You could call these vehicles the authentic, Flintstone Automobiles. All leg powered.

I never saw one of these here in Croatia. These things would surely be regulated by the government if they existed here because they are too big.

I remember back around 1965 some neighbors had old metal pedal powered cars reminiscent of the 20's. 2 seaters more for kids with roof as well. These had the 'pump pedals' instead of the classic circular crank.

I'm surprised how little love the Pod-Ride is getting. Sure, it doesn't look as sleek or refined as some of the other concepts, but I see a SUPER cheap and versatile means of transportation. It also looks like it would be very easy and inexpensive to do maintenance on vs. several of the more technology-packed counterparts on this list. 9.5/10 I would buy this if given the chance. Keep up the good work Michael!