Canyon Cycling launches concept model for Bike-Car Hybrid
Canyon, a leading manufacturer of racing bicycles, has launched a concept model of a Bike-Car Hybrid.
By experience, many of us know about inability of a bicycle to provide protection from the weather, unless the rider is able to put extra layers on — and even then, rain will get through. This Canyon capsule designed to bridge the gap between bicycles and cars. The roof of this car is designed to keep the cabin completely dry in case of rain and can be folded down if required when it is not raining.
“We have to provide full weather protection,” said Canyon product manager Sebastian Wegerle speaking to me by video from a product unveiling in London, “therefore we have this closed capsule concept. So whenever it’s raining, you’re fully protected in your capsule, and you’re safe and dry inside. But when the sun is shining, you want to have this bicycle feeling, with wind flowing through your hair. You can hear the birds singing and smell the bakery next door.”
The company points out that this is a hybrid of bicycle and car technologies that can be driven on roads built for both types of vehicles.
They also point out that the vehicle can reach a top speed of 60 km / h and that only one person can travel in the vehicle. As the steering wheel is generally mounted on the spins legs, the Canyon driver has to pedal the vehicle with tank steering levers on its side.
At 83cm wide, 1m high and 2.5m long, it weighs 95kg and can travel at least 100km on a single charge.
It is the “ultimate day commuter,” Canyon says. “It’s fast and stable enough to fly down the open road, yet light and agile enough to slide into the bike lane when things get backed up.”
Canyon has been developing the car for about two years and hopes to make it an actual production within the next 5 or 6 years.
It will be priced between $ 5,000 — $ 7,500 and Canyon expects the car to be popular with consumers as a short-range vehicle rather than a long-distance one.
Other technical details regarding the vehicle have not been revealed much but it is speculated that this will be an electrically powered Qruadicycle.
However, the legal background for such a car to be driven on the highway has not yet been prepared, so Canyon will have to face the technical challenges as well as the legal challenges of making the concept a reality.
A new e-bike-platform, Precede: ON, a carbon-framed urban e-bike with integrated lights, fenders, kickstand and back rack, was introduced in London alongside Canyon’s concept car.
