$14,000???

That's how much a Honda Fit costs.

First off, it's $14,000.

Second, it doesn't solve the main problem I have with bikes: Sweat. I sweat from the most modest physical activity, even in the coldest weather. I have my thermostat set for 68 and I can still work up a sweat cleaning my house in my pajamas.

Even with the windscreen, I'd be soaked by the time I got to work.

Finally, I don't like the idea of being that low to the ground in traffic. One of the things I like best about my scooter is the fact that I'm sitting at about the same height as the soccer moms in their Tahoes. I'm able to see clear over a Geo Metro, while getting 30% better gas mileage.

Schlemmer's price is marked up alot. It costs somewhere in the neighboorhood of 7500-10000 depending on options.

http://www.go-one.us/Buying_a_go-one3.html

http://www.bluevelo.com has various velos and they also have it priced under $10000 US dollars.

More velos are being produced in the states. Lightfoot Cycles, situated in Montana, is coming out with one early 2007 priced between $6-7000 dollars.

It's a beautiful machine. Unfortunately the people who would be attracted to it would be the least likely to have the strength to pedal it. But it could work if it had electric pedal assistance. In fact, I think it could work damn well.
Obviously it's meant to be ridden in cold climates. Why would you need that bodywork otherwise?

It's a beautiful machine. Unfortunately the people to whom it would appeal are the least likely to have the strength to pedal it.
I think it would work damn well with electric pedal assistance, however. The only thing I wouldn't like is being that low to the ground.
Raise it up, give it electric pedal assistance, and suspension like a mountain bike has. I'll bet you could come up with a 30 mph machine that weighs less than 100 pounds, has a plush ride, and would be a dream to pedal.

The price tag might be a deterent, but the guarantee of ending up wedged in the wheel well of a soccer moms land yacht is a deal breaker.

And where do I put the groceries?

Mmmmm... bananas...
Pretty much a waste of space. 14k? Stupid.

Recumbent bicycles are not popular because they are unmaneuverable, not easy to ride up hills, are difficult to see by motorists, provide poor visibility to the rider, and are THE dorkiest mode of transportation possible. The high weight of this model would require even more human energy than a traditional bicycle to ride. Anyone fit enough to want to commute by bicycle would just ride a typical bicycle, which is already the the most perfect human powered vehicle ever devised.

I would doubt that more than of a couple dozen of these faired recumbents will ever be produced or purchased. stupid.

The Leitra is the best one I've found
http://www.leitra.dk/
about 5-6 thousand USD

It has room for groceries, sits up a little taller, (at least as high as the top of a Lotus Elise and has a very strong frame.

I own a Go-One. I use the BionX (www.bionx.ca) electric-assist motor. I've been a bike-commuter on a 20-mile route over the hills of Portland using a 'conventional' bike (and lots of Gore-Tex for the rain) for going on 15 years.

I don't consider myself 'stupid'. :)

What I appreciate about the Go-One is that it eliminates any excuse for not riding. It's impervious to rain. It's well-lit in the dark. Yes, it's low to the ground, but it's highly visible. Contrary to the commentator, soccer moms see me. If anything, I get too much attention. I've had many more nasty encounters with cars on my 'safety' bicycle than I have had in my Go-One.

I sold my Yamaha Roadstar motorcycle in order to afford the Go-One, and I couldn't be more pleased with the exchange.

If you'd like to see for yourself, contact me at the location listed on www.go-one.us. I'm the agent for Oregon.

- Mitch