Schaefflers Electrischer Rad-Wagen

© dpa     Ready for bike paths? 

New quad on the block

April 7, 2016

(dpa) - German car component maker Schaeffler has unveiled a four-wheeled, two-seater buggy powered by both muscle power and an electric motor. The spindly quad is shod with 24-inch wheels and features a windscreen and roof to protect the occupants from the elements. It can be driven at speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour without a driver’s license. Range between battery charges is given as 50 km. The buggy is quick off the mark, thanks to a battery boost function, and the driver can then decide whether to keep fit by pedalling or let the motor do the work. Gearshifts are automatic.

The novel runabout was presented at a mobility conference organized by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport magazine. It appears to have been inspired by Renault's micro-electric car Twizy, which already enjoys cult status, with a touch of pedicab.  

The buggy is a prototype. Schaeffler, based in the town of Herzogenaurach, said it could go on sale in 2017. It is expected to cost from around 6,000 dollars. Schaeffler chief technology officer Peter Gutzmer said the "bio hybrid" shows how the company sees a future solution for urban mobility.

The quad can transport a driver with a passenger in back and has ample stowage space. The plexi-glass roof swings up and over and can be stored under the driver’s seat.

The compact vehicle with a track width of just 80 centimetres would be legal for use on cycle paths in some countries under existing laws. The electric reverse gear also enables easy manoeuvering. "There are already discussions in Germany about opening cycle tracks with a legal speed limit of 40 km/h," said Gutzmer. "All these developments mean that our concept has great potential to change urban mobility".

Thanks to an integrated smartphone connection, the buggy driver is linked to a large number of apps and can access information, for example, about the weather and traffic situation.

Laufrad Fliz Veloci-Bike

HIER IST DAS FLIZ KONCEPT

The prior aim of developing FLIZ was to bring a completely new driving experience to everyone. Based on the very first bike - the “Laufrad“ - we created a velocipede concept of healthy, ecological mobility in overcrowded urban space. 

 

Its laminated, innovative frame with 5 point belt system provides a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking. 

 

The frame integrates the rider and due to its construction it works both like a suspension and like a top carrier whereas the belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position. 

 

Tom Hambrock

Juri Spetter

 

The prior aim of developing FLIZ was to bring a completely new driving experience to everyone. Based on the very first bike - the “Laufrad“ - we created a velocipede concept of healthy, ecological mobility in overcrowded urban space. Its laminated, innovative frame with 5 point belt system provides a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking. The frame integrates the rider and due to its construction it works both like a suspension and like a top carrier whereas the belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position.

Tom Hambrock

Juri Spetter

The Netherlands Unveils the World's First Solar Bike Path

by Charley Cameron, 11/09/14 

 

 The Netherlands has an international reputation as a bike-friendly nation; it’s home to some 18 million bicycles and 21,748 miles of bike lanes. Now, an innovative project—SolaRoad—aims to make even greater use of all that green infrastructure by paving the bike paths with solar cells. On November 12, 2014, the first such path will open: a 70-meter (230 feet) stretch of Krommenie’s bike path will become the first solar-paved right of way in the world.

SolaRoad has been in the works since 2009, and is the brainchild of Dutch research institute TNO. The power-generating pavers are created by embedding crystalline silicon solar cells in 8.2 x 11.5 ft concrete slabs, before covering them in a one-centimeter layer of tempered glass. Then, reports the Guardian, a “non-adhesive finish and a slight tilt are [added] to help the rain wash off dirt and thus keep the surface clean, guaranteeing maximum exposure to sunlight.”

These extra steps are pretty important—the flat surface required for transit isn’t exactly ideal for capturing sunlight for power generation. In bike path form the cells are 30 percent less efficient than they would be placed within a standard solar installation. As a result, when this first test strip is extended to its full 100 meters (328 feet) in 2016, it will provide about enough electricity to power three households.

But it does make practical use of an untapped surface area, and there’s plenty of roads available for transformation. Indeed, TNO is not limiting their ambitions to bike paths; the institute estimates that up to 20 percent of the Netherlands’ 140,000km of road could potentially be adapted into SolaRoads, which would amount to an additional 400 to 500 km sq (154 to 193 mi sq) of energy-generating PV which could be fed into the grid, or used to power signage and traffic lights.

Read more: SolaRoad: The Netherlands Unveils World's First Solar Cell-Paved Bike Path | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Stefan Raab will auch seine BMX Tricks zeigen

Kevin Nikulski, der jüngste BMX-Flatland-Profi in Deutschland, zeigt Stefan, was man mit einem BMX alles machen kann!



(Wer hat die Tatowierung bei Kevin gern?)

Oliver Koletzki U-Bahn fahren

These lyrics reflect an outlook on public transportation that many of us in the USA have, more so than the one I generally encounter in Europe, but there are interesting and  useful verbs and phrases.

Songtext:

Dieser Tunnel riecht nach Kippen, Dreck und Teer (smells of spillage, filth and tar) ,
Ich wünsch mir oft er führte raus zum Meer.
Aber in diesem unterirdischen Gefährt,   (underground vehicle)
gibts keinen Weg ins Freie..Freie..Freie..Freie.
Zu Tausenden rumpeln (rumble)  wir vorran (forward),
wie Schweine in 'nem LKW zum Schlachthof (slaughterhouse),
dicht nebeneinander Haut an Haut
und wollen nur zurück ins Bett.

Refrain: U-Bahn .. U-Bahn fahrn.. U-Bahn fahrn.. U-Bahn fahrn.. U-Bahn .

Es ist Montag morgen und wir sehen schlecht,
diese Zeit ist mehr als ungerecht.
Aus dem Bett, durch die Welt in den Wagon,
und keiner hier hat Bock drauf!  (nobody here is thrilled to be here)
Wir sind Banker, Schüler, Junkies, Kontrolleure,
wir sind Killer, Bettler, Staatssekretäre.
Im Bauch der U-Bahn sind wir alle gleich, (in the guts of the subway, we're all the same)
die Augen zu, und die Gesichter bleich..bleich..bleich..bleich.

Refrain: 

Und wir bleiben stecken zwischen Kotti, Tag und Spree,  (stuck between filth, daytime, Berlin's Spree River)
uns tun die Blasen (blisters)  und die Lungen weh.
Wir suchen Notausgänge (emergency exits)  Richtung Licht,
zwischen Tausend Volt und Gleichgewicht.
Und-- wir-- sind umringt von Gleisen (train tracks),
wir sind still und leise.
da hinten kommt ein gelber Zug,
Achtung!
Er hupt..hupt..hupt..hupt..hupt.  Heh!

Refrain:

Other travel songs  "Mein Fahrrad" von den Prinzen 

Die Prinzen, Mein Fahrrad - MyVideo
 
Neulich bin ich mit hundertzwanzig
auf meinem Fahrrad 'rumgefahen
Und wie immer konnt' ich nur hoffen
Die Polizei hält mich nicht an
Denn dann müsst' ich Strafe zahlen
Und man führt mich zum Verhör
Und mein armes kleines Fahrrad
Ständ' alleine vor der Tür
Oh, wie liebe ich mein Fahrrad.
Warum das weiß ich nicht genau.
Meinem Fahrrad werde ich treu sein
Im Gegensatz zu meiner Frau
Niemals werde ich es verlassen
Niemals werde ich von ihm gehen
Denn wir fliegen wie auf Wolken
Weil wir uns so gut verstehen.

Refrain:
   Jeder Popel fährt 'nen Opel,
   jeder Affe fährt 'nen Ford,
   jeder Blödmann fährt 'nen Porsche,
   jeder Arsch 'nen Audi Sport.
   Jeder Spinner fährt 'nen Manta,
   jeder Dödel Jaguar,
   nur Geniesser fahren Fahrrad,
   und sind immer schneller da!

Mein Fahrrad ist nicht Lila
Denn das macht mich gar nicht an
Es ist auch nicht braun
weil ich braun nicht leiden kann
Nein ich hab's blau angestrichen
Vom Sattel bis zum Schlauch
Und ich finde das äusserst passend,
Denn blau bin ich manchmal auch.

Refrain:    Jeder Popel fährt 'nen Opel.....

"Mein Automobil" von Max Mutzke. 

200 PS von EVA
Strassenbahn des Todes, u. Alle vier Minuten  (Sänger ist aber am Ende betrunken)  Element of Crime.
Im Flugzeug" und "Die Bahn kommt, von den Wise Guys  
"Im Wagen vor mir faehrt ein junges Maedchen" by Henry Valentino 
"Mit der schwaebsche Eisebahne"Inge Jones