Comments on: Drymer: a Dutch electric assist trike

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:00:57 +0000

The advantage is aerodynamics. This vehicle with a more powerful electric motor would be one of the most efficient at say, 60km/h. Aerodynamic electric bicycles are far more efficient than pedalling a road bike and will have less carbon dioxide emissions even if you power it using coal sourced electricity.
The disadvantage is that it is illegal in most western countries (legal in many states of the USA though). The pedalec limit of 25km/h is crippling the ebike industry.

By: National Bike to Work Day — Transition Charlottesville Albemarle

National Bike to Work Day — Transition Charlottesville Albemarle — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:22:17 +0000

[...] so I picture a recumbent, which is a bike that you sit down, or recline in, to pedal. I found a bike design prototype, the Drymer, that is a recumbent and also takes care of some of the complaints. It’s [...]

By: Gordon Hoffman

Gordon Hoffman — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:20:28 +0000

I would like to own one, or one very similar. The roof gives protection from the sun too. The sides need to be open so side winds won’t be so much of a problem. It needs to be narrow enough to push through a doorway, and fast enough to not be a bother in traffic. An areodynamic rear trunk would be an advantage.

By: Todd Edelman

Todd Edelman — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:45:42 +0000

Luggage? No cargo space? And agree that it has to be more enclosed, with a full enclosure option for rain and snow. Seems like most people would be able to see over it from behind.

By: Conan Hatch

Conan Hatch — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:34:24 +0000

I think that these innovations are good in that they challenge our status quo to think outside the box and maybe lend to a whole new way of saving precious fuel. As to the difference between a car and a bicycle, I think this is not a bicycle per se as it is powered by a motor. Bicycles are their own creature and have their own world. I love bicycles and all they offer and I believe they will always be around.

By: blackarmor

blackarmor — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:53:59 +0000

laws in belgium and netherlands state you may have a motor assist you up to 25 kph and only when you pedal . you can go faster if you want but only on your own power . if this is the case it still counts as a bicycle and must drive on the lanes fot bikes . if its wider than 74 cm it counts as a “rijwiel” (sorry no translation fount for it ) and has the choice of where he rides

By: romu

romu — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:59:27 +0000

6 k€ for the covered Drymer, 4 k€ for the uncovered, not for everyone and, as already said, the rain protection is all but efficient.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 07:53:04 +0000

Here is a film of a typical Dutch bicycle rush hour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-AbPav5E5M
I imagine that if a good percentage of these cyclists were riding three wheel bicycles with a roof, the flow would not be as smooth and fluid as it is now.
Why cyclists can ride so close to each other is also because they can see past the other cyclists in front of them. Roofs do block that view.

By: Nick F

Nick F — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:27:25 +0000

A large part of me loves these types of concept… I’ve certainly thought a lot about designing and prototyping one myself.

Unfortunately though, I think these “more than a bike, less than a car” designs inherently lose nearly all of the benefits of a bike while attaining very few of the benefits of a car.

Cost is always going to be a huge issue, and keep the market for this type of design small. I work at a bike shop in what is arguably one of the richest neighborhoods in New York City, and even in our area, most people are reluctant to spend more than $500 on a bike for commuting. Beyond that, whoever you are, a certain amount of the utility of a bicycle derives from the fact that it isn’t an incredibly valuable object, due to crashes, the risk of theft, or being damaged by others while it’s locked up. I’m not saying people don’t use high-end bikes as daily riders, but I think doing so requires an a passion for cycling that predisposes you to be less interested in something like the Drymer.

Then there is storage – where do you keep this thing when you’re not using it? You can’t bring it into your house/apartment, so you’ll have to leave it out like a motorcycle. This means you’ll need a cover, and some pretty good weatherproofing on the components ($$$), as well as a yard, some parking space in the street, or a garage. None of these things are deal breakers, but nonetheless, they restrict the utility of the vehicle and the size of the market for it.

As others have said, this type of design poses a lot of technical challenges. There is a huge struggle between the convenience and simplicity of a partial roof, and the actual utility provided by a full enclosure. A windshield wiper is also a likely requirement for safe rain riding.

I would love to be surprised and see these become a popular mode of transportation in my lifetime, but I’m skeptical.

Perhaps the correct way to approach the problem isn’t by making a more ambitions bicycle, but by taking a light, efficient electric vehicle (aptera 2e?) and simplifying it until it makes sense to be a human/electric hybrid. (Also, while I’m at it, simpler than most velocars.)

By: Murray

Murray — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:18:31 +0000

Looking at this type of 3 wheel concept and dollars, I think I’d rather go for a Canam Spyder Roadster vehicle for t he road in North America – they are lazy comfortable, but more of a motorbike and pricey. None really address the rain!