| Michigan-based design team Rachael and Cameron Van Dyke have created futuristic bikes that don't require a scrap of Lycra. That's because in the Zeppelin, riders can relax and let the electric motor do some of the work. While comfortably sat on mahogany and leather seats, protected from the elements, the Cyclone appears to be closer to a car than a bicycle. But you won't find any horse power under its bonnet which is pedal power only. +9 From the outside they appear to be mini cars, but underneath reveals there is no big engine, just a small electric motor and two sets of pedals +9 Design team The Future People - married couple Rachael and Cameron Van Dyke - also created the beetle-like Zeppelin (pictured) Both are part of The Future Cycle project- blurring the lines between bicycles and cars. 'We wanted to see just how far we could push the legal definition of bicycle to provide a car-like experience with very low energy input,' says designer Cameron Van Dyke of The Future People. Their project 'Future Cycles', unveiled at this month's Detroit Auto Show, consists of human-powered vehicles that blur the lines between bicycles and cars - creating a hybrid alternative. The first was the three-wheeled Zeppelin- is a hybrid powered by two riders in combination with a 750w electric rear motor. Made from polycarbonate and aluminium it weighs just 270lbs and is able to achieve a cruising speed of 25mph on flat ground, but is still considered a 'bicycle'. +9 The Cyclone (pictured), created by a design team in Ann Arbor, Michigan, blurs the line between cars and bicyles +9 Both vehicles are part of the 'Future Cycles' project which is being unveiled at this month's Detroit Auto Show The second has been created as a luxury vehicle. The Cyclone is four-seated human-powered vehicle, able to carry cargo. Like the Zeppelin it combines boat building techniques with the latest bike technology, but it also aims to create a luxury feel with an interior of fine leather, mahogany and brushed aluminium. The team, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are hoping the concept vehicles will begin a discussion about American car culture. +9 The Zepplin is powered by two riders in combination with a 750w electric rear motor and achieves a cruising speed of 25 mph on flat ground, yet is still completely, legally considered a 'bicycle'. It weighs just 270lbs, thanks to being made from polycarbonate and aluminum
Rachael and Cameron Van Dyke said they had wanted to see just how far we could push the legal definition of bicycle to provide a car-like experience with very low energy input Like the Zeppelin, the Cyclone was constructed with boat building techniques, and combined with modern bicycle technology +9 The Cyclone is a 4-seat luxury vehicle with an interior of fine leather and mahogany, powered by two riders and can also carry cargo +9 The pedal-drive SUV features brushed aluminum details and is claimed to be an 'indispensable' part of a sustainable luxury lifestyle +9 The design team said they had wanted to explore and test alternative value systems related to transportation
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| The bike that could let you pedal as fast as a CAR: New design can reach 100mph
Human-powered velomobiles are meant to be a quirky alternative to cars. But because these pedal-powered machines can't go as fast, these vehicles have up until now been relegated to the travelling on the side of the road Now Minneapolis-based inventor Rich Kronfield has created an electric-assist 'Raht Racer' velomobile that he claims can travel at up to 100mph (160km/h). Scroll down for video +8 Minneapolis-based inventor Rich Kronfield has created an electric-assist 'Raht Racer' velomobile that he claims travel at up to 100mph (160km/h) 'The Raht Racer is a power biking vehicle that uses state of the art pedal-electric hybrid technology to amplify pedal power, enabling the rider's legs to propel the vehicle up to highway speeds, giving the rider the feeling of super strength,' Mr Kronfield says. 'On a bicycle, your pedals are the accelerator. Same with the Raht Racer, only multiplied a hundred times.' The Raht Racer's pedals are connected to a unique flywheel generator rather than of directly driving the wheels, as in a traditional velomobile. Introducing the bike with enough pedal power for the highway +8 The Raht Racer is a power biking vehicle that uses state of the art pedal-electric hybrid technology to amplify pedal power, enabling the rider's legs to propel the vehicle up to highway speeds, giving the rider the feeling of super strength,' Mr Kronfield says +8 The Raht Racer's pedals are connected to a unique flywheel generator rather than of directly driving the wheels, as in a traditional velomobile +8 The pedals power a 20-kWh electric motor, which sits in the rear wheel hub. Pictured is a concept design The pedals power a 20-kWh electric motor, which sits in the rear wheel hub. HOW DOES IT WORK?The Raht Racer's pedals are connected to a unique flywheel generator rather than of directly driving the wheels, as in a traditional velomobile. The pedals powers a 20-kWh electric motor, which sits in the rear wheel hub. It senses the torque being applied to the pedals, and then amplifies it so that most people can maintain a cruising speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h). During pedalling, a 2-kWh li-ion battery pack also gets charged to help extend the 570lb (259kg) velomobiles range. When activated in throttle mode, using just battery power, it has a range of approximately 50 miles (80 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). The vehicle senses the torque being applied to the pedals, and then amplifies it so that most people can maintain a cruising speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h). The body of the two-seater Raht Racer is made from carbon fiber and includes a roll cage, headlights, seat lights, air bags and a trunk. During pedalling, a 2-kWh li-ion battery pack also gets charged to help extend the 570lb (259kg) velomobiles range. When activated in throttle mode, using just battery power, it has a range of approximately 50 miles (80 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). Mr Kronfield has created a prototype and is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to create a commercial mode. According to the Kickstarter campaign: 'The system provides variable resistance, based on programmable or pre-set workout profiles, and GPS terrain-sensing virtual hills, all with torque amplified pedalling'. It is estimated the price of the Raht Racer will start at $35,000 (£22,800) if the campaign is successful. +8 The vehicle senses the torque being applied to the pedals, and then amplifies it so that most people can maintain a cruising speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h)
The body of the two-seater Raht Racer is made from carbon fiber and includes a roll cage, headlights, seat lights, air bags and a trunk +8 During pedalling, a 2-kWh li-ion battery pack also gets charged to help extend the 570lb (259kg) velomobiles range. When activated in throttle mode, using just battery power, it has a range of approximately 50 miles (80 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h)
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