An electric tricycle is an electric bike with three wheels that is equipped with an electric motor, also known as pedal support.

A traditional tricycle has two parallel wheels at the back of the bicycle, but these can also be mounted at the front. The degree of (pedal) support can be chosen from different levels. This can help a person who can’t cycle that far without support. At Van Raam, we think that people who can stay mobile for a longer time are happier. We work every day to give people their mobility (back) and to enable them to cycle again, for example with an electric bicycle for adults or electric tricycles for kids. Read more about this in the article 'An adapted e tricycle from Van Raam'.

Electric Van Raam bikes with the original Van Raam pedal support system can cycle backwards. In this way, the user doesn’t have to get off the bike, the bike can easily be taken out of the parking position and because you don’t have to walk backwards with the bike, you can’t hurt yourself by the wheels either. You can also find out how the lighting works via the Van Raam electrical system in our article 'Lighting via the Van Raam electrical system'. With the backwards cycling function it is possible to just turn around or park the bike easily. This makes the bike more agile and also safer.

An electric tricycle has several advantages for the cyclist. With the help of the electric motor (or in other words the electric bike) you can withstand greater height differences or stronger headwinds, even though you are physically unable to move well or are less stable. Walking and cycling is healthy and is the least harmful to the environment compared to other means of transport. Especially for the elderly, cycling is often the most important way to go to sports, go shopping and see family and friends in every day life. Why cycling is healthy is explained in our article ‘10 reasons why cycling is healthy’

Besides the fact that cycling is healthy, it is also environmentally friendly and cheaper than the car or public transport. What’s more, you'll be on the road shorter and faster at your final destination. Cycling up to a distance of 5 kilometres is considered to be the fastest means of transport and in the city even up to 10 kilometres.

Electric walking bike is a treadmill on wheels

We’ve written about the latest in cargo bikes, electric bikes, and artsy bikes created for design shows. But this electric walking bike made us do a double take.

The Lopifit bike, by Dutch designer Bruin Bergmeester, is essentially a treadmill on a bike. A 350W Samsung lithium-Ion battery turns the treadmill while you walk, and the treadmill sits on a bike base that’s longer than usual. There’s also no seat—this is a walking-only affair. Bergmeester invented the bike four years ago; it recently began distribution in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

The battery generates enough power to get you 30-50 miles, a distance on par with many electric bikes used for commuting. And like a regular bike, riders choose the gear or speed they want, ranging from four to 17 miles per hour. According to Lopifit, this means that a person walking on the Lopifit will have speeds equal to or greater the other bike riders on the path.

The design of the bike is striking, with multiple color options on a powder-coated-steel frame. A display on the handlebars shows you the status of your battery, and you can use the back rack for storage. Though we haven’t yet tested the Lopifit, a potential downside is its weight: It comes in at a hefty 125 pounds.

There’s also the question of why exactly someone would prefer a treadmill-like walking bike over a regular bike—or simply walking. With a price of $2,495, it’s doubtful that the niche Lopifit will become a common sight on city streets. But, hey, for anyone who’s been dreaming of an electric walking bike—and you’re undoubtedly out there somewhere—this one’s for you.

What's the Difference Between Lithium and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries?

Batteries are an incredible resource of the modern-day, they power everything from cell phones, to wireless automatic vacuum cleaners, to all different types of cameras. There are numerous different varieties of battery which serve many different purposes, but two we hear about more than any are lithium and lithium-ion batteries. You might have had to make a decision in the past regarding these two different battery types, but do you really know what they are?