Storck x PodBike Frikar affordable enclosed e-bike velomobile to replace your car

Written by Cory Benson Oct 18, 2021 2:06 p.m. ET

PodBike Frikar x Storck enclosed e-bike pedelec e-velomobile

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E-bikes are trying to find their way into our hearts on & off-road, but this new 4-wheeled, fully-enclosed Storck x PodBike Frikar e-velomobile just might be a viable solution for some looking to cut back on driving cars. It’s not really an e-bike – this recumbent has four wheels, after all. But it’s at least partly pedal-powered – mixing a bike drivetrain with an e-bike pedelec support. On the plus side, it looks kinda like a cross between a spaceship and a Prius, plus with a totally enclosed cabin, you are protected from the elements so you can ride whatever the weather.

Storck x PodBike Frikar enclosed e-bike velomobile

PodBike Frikar x Storck enclosed e-bike pedelec e-velomobile, headlights — c. Podbike

German bike company Storck and Norwegian micro-mobility start-up Podbike have teamed up to bring their Frikar e-velomobile to a larger market, providing an alternative transportation option for cyclists looking to get out of their cars for short trips. The 4-wheeled, fully-enclosed pedelec is not the first e-velomobile concept we’ve seen from an established bike company, but it looks like it could be one of the most viable solutions. Built on an innovative & simple bike-by-wire system, it also is more affordable than we expected.

Tech details

The 20″ mag-wheeled Podbike Frikar is 2.36m long x 83.9cm wide x 1.19m tall, making it just a bit wider than a modern enduro bike’s handlebar. Even though it has 4 wheels and a shell, Podbike assures that it is classified as a ‘cycle’ within Europe, letting you ride in cycle lanes without any license or registration (much like the Canyon Future Mobility concept).

The 90kg (empty), fully independent suspension Frikar is powered by a pair of 25km/hr limited 250W e-bike motors. There is no mechanical link between the pedals & wheels, rather you pedal input into one motor/generator and the energy is transferred by wire to motors at both rear wheels to propel you – just like the “Bike By Wire” systems we reported on from IAA Mobility. The result is classification as an e-bike, with a design e-assist range of 50-80km and featuring regenerative braking.

The e-velomobile comes equipped with integrated headlights, taillights, operable turn signals & extensive reflectors, plus outside side mirror. It also has a cup holder!, plus phone/tablet holder & USB-charger inside, in addition to safety crumple zones and roll-over protection.

Podbike Frikar – Pricing, availability & options

Cory Benson

4,485 articles

Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.

Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry created some of these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components, and worked as a bike shop mechanic.

Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, and short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.

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Volsung

3 years ago

This is so ridiculous that I want it.

-1

mud

3 years ago

I think the biggest hurdle for vehicles like this is the recumbent position. One thing that gives me confidence riding in cities is the tall position an upright bike puts you in – you can see over cars and are more visible to them. Sitting so low, and in a shell that inhibits your outward view of everything, is not safe. You’re vision too is limited.

Mic

3 years ago

What is the point of this stupid thing why not just ride your bike or an ebike then? Just takes up more space in already crowded bike lanes, uses more plastic and has no advantages unless I’m missing something. Where I live in New York ebikes and the jerks who ride them have already RUINED cycling for those of f us who are serious about the sport and made the roadways, parkways, sidewalks and everywhere else totally dangerous and horrible.

-4

Tim Moore

2 years ago

Reply to Mic

Good points made, but not everyone lives in such a big city, or a city at all. I would like to cruise around my neighborhood in this.

Jayce

2 years ago

Reply to Mic

The idea is you can ride it in rain and winter. If equipped with air conditioning, then hot summer days too. as it is i can ride for about 3 weeks of the year before it gets too hot cold, or wet. plus the exhaust from cars exacerbates my asthma, so being enclosed could add an air filter too. And i think the main point is to reduce the need for fuel. A regular bike is also less stable on only two wheels. these are typically the same width as a regular bike lane and legally you ae not to ride two abreast on normal cycles. you seem angry for no reason. are you okay? t here are free resources you can call if you need to. take care.

Seiena

2 years ago

Reply to Mic

I suffer from Entomophobia (fear of insects) so badly I am trapped in my house because it is so bad I AM a danger to myself and others when not secured with barriers between me and insects. I want badly to ride a bide or in general just safely exercise in a way that doesn’t have me mindlessly staring at a wall in a gym. which my brain cannot do due to being ADHD and needing to fully engage my brain. With something like this I could go all over the place safely and burn my excessive physical energy.

Nic

3 years ago

Haters who are “serious about the sport” have mostly RUINED the appeal of cycling and ebikes for folks who might want to start riding…so it might be best to take the chip off your shoulder when out on the streets and be glad those ebike jerks aren’t driving 3-ton autos instead! I’d take one of these weirdomobiles in the bike lane any day over another monster truck on the road.

benito

3 years ago

with four wheels, it has to be more stable in poor weather. if they could somehow provide for better climate control for comfortable riding/driving in all seasons, this kind of concept could really be something

satanas

3 years ago

Could be viable in flat Northern Europe, where there are lots of dedicated cycle lanes and good driver behavior, but in hilly, congested places with aggro motorists (like here in Sydney, AU) – not so much.

JBikes

3 years ago

I don’t understand why this is 4 wheeled vs 3.
It also just seems way to wasteful. Ride a normal bike when weather is good and use an existing leftover car or ride share when you don’t want to ride, rather than buying more waste.

Jayce

2 years ago

Reply to JBikes

4 wheels is more stable than 3, always has and always will be the case. 3 wheels are only created to adhere to archaic laws created to prevent vehicles like this form being created and used.(looking at you northamerica)

Seiena

2 years ago

Reply to JBikes

Doesn’t work if you can’t be exposed to the elements dude to detrimental mental health issues. I would love a velomobile so I didn’t have to drive everywhere which does nothing for my health.

Conal

3 years ago

and wouldn’t it be good in the Australian summer – hot and humid. A better idea for a colder climate.

Jayce

2 years ago

Reply to Conal

You can equip these with air conditioning just like any enclosed cabin. check our the Daymak Foras.

Andrew

3 years ago

I’m sure ” an internal fan for better airflow especially in hot weather,” will be enough for summer days here in coastal Italy..

David Milner

3 years ago

Sinclair C5 with a roof…
Shame Sir Clive was a better engineer than he was a businessman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5

None Given

3 years ago

Never, not never ever. Not until there are pollution guidelines (followed) by the ENTIRE world will I willingly forsake my love of twin turbo V8 cars and SUV’s – until then, I will have fun when I drive (to the trails). If you are going to drive a station wagon, well, you may as well be faster than a Corvette Z06. (and offer to race any Tesla to a city 500mi away).

-3

caz

3 years ago

For those who are spectacularly missing the point – this is being offered as an alternative to cars – it’s another type of all-abilities machine, which could really suit someone who finds an upright two-wheeler difficult to balance/ride. A nervous older person might well appreciate all that extra plastic shell/ protection. Those of us who live in rainy places know that it’s a big barrier to getting more people on bikes – this invention is one solution to that.

Bikebrains

3 years ago

Reply to caz

I have ridden recumbent bikes for nearly forty years. I find them vastly superior to the standard, upright bike frame in the key areas of speed, safety, and comfort. While sharing the road with motorized vehicles, the greatest danger I have found is that drivers rubberneck.

The diamond frame was developed in 1885 when the paradigm for individual transportation was based on the horse. A bike frame based upon the horse results in having a seat that is mostly straddled and perpendicular to the hips rather than the optimal parallel to the hips. The ancestor of the recumbent bicycle was invented in the 1890s. The modern long-wheelbase recumbent bicycle was invented in 1914 at which time the paradigm for transportation had changed to the automobile. The seats of the automobile have the proper parallel to the hips design. A long wheelbase recumbent bicycle will always be more comfortable than the standard, diamond frame bicycle that uses a crotch support seat. OUCH!

“Fast Freddy” Markham won the DuPont prize at a record 65.484 mph by riding an enclosed recumbent bicycle. In 2008, Sam Whittingham became the World Champion and won the $25,000 Decimach prize with a speed of 82.33 mph.

http://www.ihpva.org/land.htm

https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-complete-illustrated-history-of-the-recumbent-bicycle

Jayce

2 years ago

250 W is not enough for uphill or snow conditions
4 wheels is illegal as an ebike in north america
if these are sold as is, they are simply illegal to use.
until the laws are updated for new modes of transportation, the oil economy will dictate laws, regulations, and infrastructure.
Don’t expect these to replace cars until those are changed, which won’t be for at least a hundred or two years.