Dries Callebaut from Belgian Velomobile manufacturer WAW, will be at Bikefix on Saturday 12th March, with at least one of his vehicles.
Popular in Holland and Belgium, there are probably not more than twenty Velomobiles in the UK, so this is a great opportunity to find out more about them. A Velomobile is an all weather recumbent bike with a fully covered body, giving fantastic aerodynamics and all year weather protection. The speed advantage over a conventional bike, in average conditions, can be in the order of 20% to 40%, with the world record being held by a similar machine being 82mph. (See the video)
The essence of the WAW is energy efficiency. At a speed of 50 km/h (31mph) the WAW needs only 0.5 kWh per 100km; barely a fifth of a normal bicycle, and one fiftieth of an average fossil or electric car. Expressed in petrol use, this corresponds to a mileage of 4700 miles per gallon (2000 km/l).
The WAW is designed more as a practical vehicle than a record breaker. As well as protecting you from the weather, it has 150 litres of luggage space and all round suspension. In its lightest form it weighs less than 25 kilos. It is an ideal vehicle for commuting or travelling. More details
To talk to Dries, see the WAW and possibly even try one out, come to Lambs Conduit Street on 12th March.