Velomobile test weekend 11 and 12 september 2004

Velomobile test weekend 11 and 12 September 2004

Velomobile test weekend, September 11 and 12, 2004
On September 11 and 12, you can test 12 different 'bikes'
from different European countries in Ghent (Blaarmeersen,
velodrome) Nearly all commercially available velomobiles are
expected to be there: Quest, Mango, Versatile, Leitra,
Cab-Bike, Aerorider (only on Sunday), Alleweder, WAW, Limit,
and Go-one2 ( Go-one is still tentative.) This
event is unique in the world and region! In this time, when
people are looking for alternatives to automotive
transportation, seeking a healthier lifestyle, it's
certainly worth the trouble to come and take a look. With
protection against the rain, a large space for your baggage,
and cruising speeds of some models up to 45 kilometers per
hour, a dream.... Goal of that test day: promotion of the
bicycle in general. Register at www.fietser.be (or send
an e-mail by way of me: brunovdb@tiscali.be )

Snout

Snout

Snout
At Cycle Vision 2004 the developers showed the new nose for
the Versatile. The blinkers are set in and can be seen
better from the sides. Now you don't see the feet of
the rider moving any more.

The paint is applied to the outside of the ABS snout. On the first ten Versatiles, it
was on the inside of the PET.

Color changing.

Color changing

Depending on the angle from which you look, the color shifts
from deep green, through blue to purple. A special
effect-color from Sikkens. Wilfred van Norel's Versatile
will change from blue to red. You can see other possible
colors at:
http://members.home.nl/wfvn/sikkens

Locking sailcloth.

A picture of the blue test-Versatile (spring 2004), while
the one I ordered waits for one molded piece that has been delayed by a broken mold.
The sailcloth that locks the velomobile is probably similar to what kayakers would call
a skirt. It can be removed completely for summer or somewhat opened and turned back to the inside and held in place with velcro. In front, in the center, is a zipper that one can pull closed while riding if it's too cold. Behind the rider is another transverse zipper (the two form a "T"). To close it up completely, when you get out, you pull the back flap over the front part and close a velcro fastening.

Flagholder

Flagholder

In the rear, a little flag holder is mounted, where I can
put a flag as I ride through a city like Dendermonde, Antwerp or Ghent. Visibility is important !

A velomobile is actually not all that expensive...

Expensive? If you bike to work, you can collect (more and more firms are conforming) 0.15 Euros per kilometer.
I ride 32 km per day. That is to say that after 6 years, my Versatile is reimbursed through the Ministry of Education. My Versatile then costs me zero Euros!!! Even better: in the long term, it brings in money. That assumes that no large expenses arise and that it lasts as long as ten years. If you buy a Versatile to tour around a bit on the weekend, then it is very expensive. (Unless you find a sponsor -- see also the site of www.velomobiel.nl, service, reclame)
By ordering it (as I did) in June of 2003, I did (and do) run a certain risk. Something could go wrong with the early production runs. But in the meantime the purchase price has been raised by 2000 Euro, which is a windfall for me. So far (at 1500 km) I am tremendously pleased with this velomobile. Not even a flat tyre. It meets my expectations: it replaces my car. I ride with it to the store, to the baker, etc. After 10 years, this yields a profit of around 25.000 euro if I compare it with a second-hand car. I can assure you that this was for my wife the decisive argument for the purchase.