International Velomobile-Meeting 2001

 

(Giessen, Germany) The European Velomobile manufacturers are trying to organize their very small industrial activities with the target of creating a new market trend for the future. This sustainable vehicles seem to be good solutions for some of the European mobility problems.

The 2nd International Velomobile-Meeting was held in Biebertal near Giessen, Gemany, during the weekend of 28th to the 30th 2001. The important reunion was visited by participants from Holland, Denmark, Luxemburt, Italy, Austria and Germany. Even a group consisting of twelve Dutch participants made the 480 km trip riding their owned velomobiles from the area near Amsterdam up to Giessen. After the meeting they just cycle back to Holland.

Target of the meeting was to gather all European manufacturers around a discussion table to discus all questions concerning Velomobile manufacturing. Already some important activities have been agreed upon during the first meeting in 2000. At that time the information portal www.velomobile.info (running under www.velomobile.de as a test portal) was decided to be created. This Internet side shall serve as an information center about Velomobiles in Europe and as a discussion forum.

To this year meeting almost all Velomobile manufacturers participated. Some of them were Mr. Carl-Georg Rasmussen („Leitra“ from Denmark), Mr. Johan und André Vrielink („Alleweder“ from Holland), Mr. Tempelman („Limit“ from Holland), Mr. Ymte Sijbrandij and Aller Jakobs („Quest“ from Holland), Mr. Bart de Wert („Aerorider“ from Holland), Mr. Beyss („Go-One“ from Germany) and the host Mr. Reinhold Schwemmer and Mr. German Eslava („Cab-Bike“ from Germany). Mr. Josef Kasbauer („Kasbauer“ Elektroantriebe from Austria) participated to the gathering.

Main discussion points in 2001 were to look the similarities in the manufacturing process and therefore to find out some economical advantages for all suppliers. The conversations were based on automobile industry principles like “Platforms” as well on the usage of standard parts and components.

As what concerns components it was found out a general agreement on 20” wheels and tires size 406x1.5” to be implemented as standard. It was agreed upon working together to find a supplier willing to make special velomobile tires (tubeless, radial type). Also it shall be done some work on having three-spoke alloy wheels made specifically for velomobiles. Further components to expand the idea of a platform were not found but it was agree upon researching for solutions in this direction.

During the gathering another discussion groups were built. One of this groups exchanged ideas about electrical assistance on velomobiles, which are needed on some applications. Mr. Kasbauer (Co. Elektroantriebe) and Mr. Christian Wagner (Co. Christ Eco-Mobile) spoke about their own experiences. Another working group discussed about exposure of publicity on the wide surface area of velomobiles and financial advantages. Mr. Mattias Schiller (Co. Pfiffikus-Werbe-Marketing) spoke about his strategical activities in this field.

To round up the convention a trip with 30 velomobiles was made to the city of Wetzler, where the mayor of the city welcomes the participants. After a visit to some historical sites the group cycle back to Biebertal. Even a group of 20 velomobiles drove up the steep hill of Düensberg where the first regional Council met the important group.

Finally it was agreed upon convoking the International “Velomobile-Meeting 2002” at the same place and at the same time period next year. All participants had the feeling that such gathering would give a lot of impetus for this new type of sustainable transportation. We hope to see the results at medium term.