Half car, half bicycle – let’s fill our cities with the Pedalist

The Pedalist combines elements of the car and bicycle to create sustainable transport for the world’s mega cities.

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What’s the best way to get around the city? By 2050, the UN expects the global urban population to be 6.3 billion - the same size as the world’s total population was in 2004. Quite apart from the demand on natural resources, there is unlikely to be the road space to cope with this explosive level of growth. Quite apart from the space they occupy, cars expensive are expensive to own.

Beyond the purchase price, the costs of acquiring a license, insurance premiums, repairs and fuel bills, congestion and parking hassles can make for a soul destroying experience that's never mention in glossy car advertisements.

Unfortunately, public transport is imperfect too. Buses can’t get you door to door and in a city like London clog narrow streets and are significant contributors toward dangerous levels of pollution. According to European environmental transport lobby group Transport & Environment, air pollution kills 400,000 people annually in Europe. Research by King’s College London found nitrogen dioxide levels on Oxford Street were worse than anywhere else on Earth – higher than Beijing and Dhaka.

Dr David Carslaw,from the Environmental Research Group at Kings, has been quoted in relation to air pollution levels on Oxford Street: ‘To my knowledge this [level] is the highest in the world in terms of both hourly and annual mean. NO2 concentrations [in Oxford Street] are as high as they have ever been in the long history of air pollution.’

The Pedalist

The answer, according to San Diego based company Virtue is a lightweight two-seater vehicle that combines elements of a car, cargo trike and velomobile to create personal transport that is safe for both planet and people.

In terms of carrying capacity and weather protection, the Pedalist outperforms most bicycles. A 750 W electric motor and 48-volt lithium-ion battery provide a range of 50 miles at 20 mph. Pedalling adds to that distance considerably. An 8-speed gear hub and disc brakes serving three magnesium wheels mean this trike is both fast and stable. Those afflicted by range anxiety will be reassured by the fact that the cargo space can accommodate 10 batteries, which would boost range to a car-rivalling 500- miles.

There is very little to stop the world’s mega cities introducing the Pedalist today. The effect of shutting off urban centres during extended rush hours to all motorised vehicles other than lightweight pedal-assist designs like the Pedalist would be transformative. More at pedalistcycles.com

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

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