[chethan.ram]

A Velomobile is a human-powered vehicle (HPV) enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and protection from weather. Velomobiles are similar to recumbent bicycles, pedal go-karts and tricycles but with an aerodynamic or weather protective shell.

Velomobile was introduced in India by Cadence90, a bike store in Bangalore.

Traffic came to a stand still when the Velomobile hit the Bangalore roads a few days ago.

Here are some of the pictures.

[chethan.ram]

Everyone stopped to have a look at this unique vehicle.

[harshithkashyap]

I had a chance to be part of the unveiling event. Looks unique and futuristic. Hard to make out it's a cycle unless you know it.

[AltoLXI]

Looks like it is not cheap. The one spotted in Bengaluru cost 18 lakhs per this article

Link

The three-wheeled bicycle car seen here in the pictures is actually imported by a Bengaluru-based bike store. The bike store Cadence90 is actually the official supplier of this bicycle car in India. This bicycle car as mentioned above is not manufactured in India. It is manufactured by a Romanian company Velomobileworld. Velombile bicycle are not cheap to buy. The base variant of this three-wheeled bicycle car would cost around Rs 14 lakh in India. The model that was spotted in Bengaluru costs around Rs 18 lakh. Customs and shipping cost of this product alone costs Rs 1.5 lakh.

My concern is the safety aspects of this on Indian roads. When bicycle riders are treated with disdain, how will these be any different? Sad but true.

An informative video as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a8608s1vpA

[chethan.ram]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

Looks like it is not cheap. The one spotted in Bengaluru cost 18 lakhs per this article

Yes, it is very expensive. To add to that, customs and shipping make it even more expensive.

[tharian]

What is the purpose of this design? Is it for competition only?

It doesn't look like it safe to be used on public roads because of its low height.

[bht]

Originally Posted by tharian

What is the purpose of this design? Is it for competition only?

It doesn't look like it safe to be used on public roads because of its low height.

And if it is road legal, I wonder how its going to ride over the massive speed breakers and potholes with that ground clearance

[deetee]

In cold/temperate climate, these kind of enclosed capsules powered by humans is sustainable. In Indian tropical climate, even a 10km ride in that cocoon will be hot like hell. On bicycle, even though air resistance is present, the air flow helps cool body heat.

[amol4184]

Any particular reason why the view port is so narrow and highly placed? Blind spots in that thing are going to be crazy.