A velomobile size comparison

One objection to velomobiles is that they take up too much space. They are bigger than a standard bike, and they can't be compacted down to fit in an apartment. However, when you compare the carrying capacity, the velomobile looks very good. Here we have a Cab-Bike that can carry 60-70 pounds (27-31 kg) of groceries, standing next to a bike/trailer combination that can handle about half of that.

In the overhead view, the Cab-Bike is between a conventional bike with a Burley gear trailer and an Osell recumbent with a BOB trailer. The recumbent/BOB combination can handle 40 or 50 pounds, but the steering suffers. The Cab-Bike is much shorter, remains stable when fully loaded, and doesn't sacrifice any aerodynamics.

Of course, the bike/trailer combination allows the rider to leave the trailer at home and ride lighter. It is also nice for loads that are messy or particularly bulky.

For bike path riding, a velomobile will fit through gates that will allow a bike with a trailer to pass. There are some gates in Europe that are too tight for velomobiles, but riders there are allowed to use the street when passage is impossible on the bike path.

Weight is another concern. Velomobiles weigh around 60 to 80 pounds. It seems like a lot, but many cyclists move more than that when they pull a trailer with one or two children. The velomobile's superior aerodynamics can make up for the extra weight; this won't help when riding uphill or in stop-and-go traffic, but on long rides and in windy conditions it's a lot easier to keep moving with a velomobile.

And of course, it's easy to see which one provides the best weather protection for the rider and the load.

Mary Arneson