In 2002 Johan Vrelink's Flevobike company introduced a third-generation velomobile, the Versatile. Since my tenth year of cyclo-commuting was approaching (in June of 2005), I investigated bringing one of these sweet-looking vehicles to southern California for my commuting needs. Now, in January, 2010, with the completion of the first leg of my North American Transect (Boston > Denver), my Versatile Nr 42 is in service as one of my regular transportation vehicles, and has about 10,000 miles on it. My original Versatile "Number 20" attracted lots of attention wherever I traveled, and lots of questions when I parked it. Here's a link to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) .

An album of pictures of both Versatiles.


    Frederik Van De Walle has some observations on the Versatile's unique construction as well a nice shot of the history of velomobiles and the state of industry in his Master's thesis The Velomobile as a Vehicle for more Sustainable Transportation.

Here's a link to my (outdated) North American Transect page.

For more information about what a velomobile is:

Velomobile USA is making Alleweder velomobiles in Texas!

The WHPVA.org [velomobile] mailing list.

Ethan Davis has created The North American Velomobilist Website.

Vemomobiling.com is Mary Arneson's site. The Arneson's have two Cab-Bikes and their site has links to more velomobilistas and builders. Their Gallery has pictures from my trip to the Left Coast Velomobile Gathering in San Luis Obispo, California, USA in the spring of 2006.

The Aurora, a delta format velomobile from British Columbia. And now the Borealis, too.

The Carbon Spider Visor which can keep your lips from becoming sunburned while you ride.

And one last, important link:
How to NOT get hit by cars. Everyone who cycles in traffic should read this, for sure.

2010-01-18T0625-0700