Canyon Builds Futuristic ‘Podbike’: Part Car, Part Bike, Full Potential
Canyon’s latest ‘bike’ makes a bold claim — that it could be the next major concept in urban transportation.
Today, Canyon Bikes revealed two new e-bikes that focus on the “future of mobility.” But as cool as e-bikes are, the real excitement lies in Canyon’s Future Mobility Concept — a pedal-powered vehicle that blurs the lines between e-bike and car — also announced today.
Canyon’s built its concept vehicle around three things: being better for the environment, adapting to both streets and bike lanes, and combining the power of an e-bike with the exterior design (and interior comforts) of a car.
While it looks like a small car, this is still very much a bicycle: like a manual or e-powered recumbent, the Canyon podbike relies on a user pedaling to power the vehicle. Steering “handlebars,” or joysticks, are located on either side of the rider.
However, unlike a bike, Canyon’s concept vehicle has four wheels, a passenger or storage area, and a fully enclosed interior to protect the rider from the weather. It will also have front and rear headlights, a heating system, and wipers.
The kicker? It’s compact enough to fit in a bike lane but fast enough — and equipped enough — to perform like a car on some streets.
Canyon Future Mobility Concept Specs
- Wheelbase: 1,680 mm (5.5 ft.)
- Turning radius: 7 m (23 ft.; about the same as a Jeep Gladiator)
- Top speed in pedal mode: 60 kph (37 mph)
- Planned range: 150 km (93 miles)
- Features: E-charging, open-capsule option, console with smartphone integration
- Price: Unknown
“The concept is not just a unique vision for the future of urban mobility, it lays the groundwork for creating bicycles and forward-thinking concepts that enable [users] to seamlessly move between roads and bike infrastructure alike. This is the future,” Canyon wrote in its press release.
So, how much will it cost? That’s a big and important question for people considering this as a “daily driver.” But like many concept vehicles, Canyon didn’t give us that detail in this tease.
So for now, we’ll keep a lookout for more information about this interesting marriage of electric car and enclosed recumbent. It just may provide a mobility backbone for cities of the future.
Headlamp Unlike Any Other: Petzl IKO CORE First Look
Right on the box, the Petzl IKO CORE claims that it's 'like nothing else.' And in that, we have to agree. We put the Petzl IKO CORE through some early testing for a quick review. Read more…
The post Canyon Builds Futuristic ‘Podbike’: Part Car, Part Bike, Full Potential appeared first on GearJunkie.