There must be few cyclists this year who have not yearned for a roof. Mark Richardson is no different, but, unwilling to pay for an off-the-shelf human-powered vehicle (HPV), he has built his own fab velo using a discarded bicycle, wheelchair and office furniture, and much ingenuity.
Human-powered vehicles (HPVs) are a cross between a car and a bicycle, and when it’s wet, where they lose out in manoeuvrability through traffic, they make up for in weather protection.
Richardson is an engineer with a passion for DIY personal transport, micro-scale production and upcycling. Although the fab velo relies almost entirely on low-tech, discarded items, a 3D printer was used to produce couplings that allow disparate components to form modular structures without any need for welding.
Bring on the weather
If you want to protect yourself from downpours, but prefer to buy rather than build, the Veltop bicycle roof system can be retro-fitted to almost every conventional or electric bicycle. The simple design comprises a windscreen, universal fixing, two lightweight spars and a water-resistant hood with roll-down windows. Prices start from £245.
A less expensive, if more eccentric, means of protecting oneself from inclement weather is offered by the Nubrella – a shoulder-mounted, folding canopy designed to shield people, including cyclists, from rain, wind and snow. The device has already found customers in 70 countries and a new-and improved version has recently been launched. As a specialist piece of equipment for photographers and others who need hands-free weather protection, the Nubrella is an interesting proposition, but for many cyclists it would represent a sartorial fate worse than Lycra.
When it rains, it pours
Cycle insurance from the ETA covers against theft, accidental damage and vandalism (including at race events) includes third party insurance, a breakdown recovery service for cyclists and worldwide cover – all for one competitive price.
David
The home made recumbent is quite impressive but the tent will make it hard work against any wind and anyone who has ever tried to drive a car without windscreen wipers will know it is virtually impossible to do it safely. As for the Veltop that will be entertaining, it always amuses me on a windy day when people are wrestling with umbrella’s!