this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2024
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micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility

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Ebikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, longboards, eboards, motorcycles, skates, unicycles: Whatever floats your goat, this is all things micromobility!

"Transportation using lightweight vehicles such as bicycles or scooters, especially electric ones that may be borrowed as part of a self-service rental program in which people rent vehicles for short-term use within a town or city.

micromobility is seen as a potential solution to moving people more efficiently around cities"

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It's a little sad that we need to actually say this, but:

Don't be an asshole or you will be permanently banned.

Respectful debate is totally OK, criticizing a product is fine, but being verbally abusive will not be tolerated.

Focus on discussing the idea, not attacking the person.

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It's also very expensive, with a brand new Twike 3 costing between $35,000 and $50,000 in Germany

Damn. That's ridiculous.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 10 months ago

Wow, that is straight up artificial pricing.

[–] bloopernova 15 points 10 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

I came here to say this! Dead ringer

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Oddly enough I just read about that a few weeks ago

[–] [email protected] 15 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

I watched the Aging Wheels video a few days ago, thinking about posting it in this community. But the only thing I can think to say about it vis-a-vis micromobility is that it's an example of looking like a duck, but quacks like a submarine klaxon.

At 9 kW peak output from its electric motor, this machine slips well past the line for what can plausibly be called human-powered mobility. And like some of the larger, heavier ebike builds we've seen earlier in this community, this falls well outside the limits of "micro" mobility, coming in at 240 kg (530 lbs) minimum. And it does 85 kph (53 mph)? That's almost an impractical speed for this vehicle.

I think we can say we've found the true answer to the question of "what if we make ebikes faster, more powerful, and bigger?". The answer is not a car, but a Twike.

Not to say that the Twike is a bad EV. Ok, it kinda is, but it's a matter of having the right standard to compare to. As an ebike, the Twike is horrific. As a daily driver car, probably the same. But perhaps, just maybe, the Twike could fill a role akin to the classic Grumman LLV mail trucks used by USPS in rural communities. Or something like that, idk.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Ok, I thought of some more strengths for the Twike, from rewatching the video:

/s

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Some crazy mofo near where I’m currently living still drives a Reliant that can only be described as a pick-up / ute type vehicle. I’m assuming it’s been modded by the owner because surely Reliant never built something that weird.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That's wild! There's so much that can be done with fiberglass, that perhaps we've forgotten to ask whether it should be done haha

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

You are not wrong. Fortunately I was psychologically more prepared to see it as over a decade previously I’d already witnessed a 3 (2?) door Vauxhall / Opel Corsa that had been turned into a pick-up. Like you say, just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

Okay that is both slower and heavier than my motorcycle. Plus you can't lane filter in that thing.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

Hey, Aging Wheels did a video on that one, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7tpbs-slcs

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

Considering the trike nature of the, and I use this term very generously, vehicle and the poor steering mechanism that was on display in that video. This is indeed just that suicide booth with extra steps.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago

Twike 3 costing between $35,000 and $50,000 in Germany

that's a fcuking vélomobile, which are usually sold for 7k€

[–] [email protected] 8 points 10 months ago (2 children)

One wheel in front is a disaster waiting to happen.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

All trikes tend to be terrible at cornering, building them to lean can help but a reverse trike design might've been better IMO

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I know. Why don't they reverse it with the two wheels in front. much better stability.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Didn’t Sinclair have one of these in the 70s?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

I think it was the 80s, but yeah

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I actually really like the idea of a car with pedals for exercise while driving. Even if the contribution is very marginal. I use the pedal assist on my ebike for that runners high so having a car that could do that on long trips would be really nice.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What problem is this trying to solve? Because I can give you 101 problems it creates over just riding a bike.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What problem is this trying to solve?

The issue of having too much money and not enough sense?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

Hell I can solve that for them without the hassle of having to own anything

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

Referring to torpedo brakes as "those found on children's bicycles" is pretty funny to me. They're not the standard, but pretty common on regular bikes here. Great for sliding stops 😄

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

That looks like it tips over easily.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

So what you're saying is, it's a very exciting ride?