Is the light vehicle the future of mobility?

Cleaner than a car, cheaper but still capable of performing the main tasks of a car, the lightweight vehicle could change the game.

Forum Vies Mobiles defines this type of vehicle as between a bicycle and a car. Essentially, a bicycle capable of carrying several people or loads. It thus combines the small footprint of a bicycle with the qualities of a car (comfort, transportation). This encompasses many existing mobility types: the light electric quadricycle, cargo bikes, or bike-cars.

What is a lightweight vehicle?

The lightweight vehicle is therefore similar in characteristics to a quadricycle, weighing less than 500 kg and reaching a maximum of 50 km/h. The difference, however, is that the motorization can be electric or… human, like a traditional bicycle (which is even less polluting).

Unlike a quadricycle, which has quite constrained proportions, the lightweight vehicle can take very diverse shapes. This ranges from the tri-port cargo bike Kiffy with trailer attachment, to the Gocab covered tricycle taxi capable of transporting 8 children, including the original Midipile.

It costs much less than a car!

Combining numerous advantages, the lightweight vehicle is inexpensive compared to an equivalent car. Indeed, an electric bike can start at €1,000 (or less, but with limited features), a cargo bike costs over €3,000, while a quadricycle starts at less than €9,000 (such as the Citroën Ami).

How to promote the growth of lightweight vehicles

Forum Vies Mobiles offers solutions to highlight this mobility: 

• An weight-based bonus-malus system for all vehicles;
• National and local meetings to showcase mobility solutions;
• A repair and distribution network;
• Encouraging communities and individuals to use/purchase them.

The idea is also to target the right people: 

• 60% of French people have their work within 9 km of their home;
• 30% perform their activities within this radius;
• Families with 2 to 3 children;
• People with reduced mobility.

Also read: Podbike Frikar: the Norwegian-bodied electric bike