If you have faced a tortuous hill and wished for superhuman powers, consider the Raht Racer; an electrically-assisted pedal trike that can speed you along at 70 mph without breaking a sweat.
The Raht Racer uses a flywheel generator to convert pedal power into electrical energy. You pedal as you would a conventional bicycle, but travel as fast as a car.
The Raht Racer features an aluminium roll cage frame, composite body, seat belts and an airbag as standard.
The small team behind the Raht Racer have turned to crowd-funding website Kickstarter to further develop the prototype.
There are many ultra-light car concept cars, including the Edison 2 VLC (Very Light Car). The four-seater vehicle uses a rear-mounted, single-cylinder motorcycle engine running on a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol to produce 40 horsepower. It is capable of carrying four people a distance of 200 miles on one tank of fuel, 0- 60 in 12 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph.
What is a safe car?
The Edison is truly remarkable vehicle; a cheap and easy to build four-seater car that boasts 120 mpg and a performance comparable with most city cars.
However, there is a perception that large, heavy cars such as 4X4s are safe, and that lightweight vehicles such as the Raht Racer and Edison are dangerous. The truth is that heavy cars pose an increased risk to pedestrians in the event of a collision. Ultra-light cars on the other hand are designed to operate in urban areas at low speeds. The average traffic speed in Britain’s major cities is about 15 mph.
The Raht Racer stands out because it encourages the driver to pedal. Such vehicles could transform the way we travel if only there was the appetite. Monitor the Raht Racer team’s fundraising progress at Kickstarter.
ETA cycle insurance
For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered.
Many cycle insurers offer very limited cover, charging extra for features we believe should come as standard – such as third party cover, personal accident or extension of your cover to family and friends. ETA Cycle Insurance provides one fully-comprehensive package for total peace of mind, whatever your cycling needs.
When you buy a policy from us you support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
david
Is this the future of electric bikes?
andrew
How much and how soon I can buy this bike
john mcquade
Are they for sale yet ?
Andrew l Lambert
Start selling them in the uk..