'The Raht Racer is a power biking vehicle that uses state of the art pedal-electric hybrid¹ technology to amplify² pedal power, enabling the rider's legs to propel the vehicle up to highway speeds, giving the rider the feeling of super strength,' Mr Kronfield says.

 

'On a bicycle, your pedals are the accelerator. Same with the Raht Racer, only multiplied a hundred times.'

 

The Raht Racer's pedals are connected to a unique flywheel generator³ rather than of directly driving the wheels, as in a traditional velomobile.

 

The pedals power a 20-kWh electric motor, which sits in the rear wheel hub.

 

The vehicle senses the torque being applied⁴ to the pedals, and then amplifies⁵ it so that most people can maintain a cruising speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h).

 

The body of the two-seater Raht Racer is made from carbon fiber⁶ and includes a roll cage, headlights, seat lights, air bags and a trunk.

 

During pedalling, a 2-kWh li-ion battery pack also gets charged to help extend the 570lb (259kg) velomobiles range.

 

When activated⁷ in throttle⁸ mode, using just battery power, it has a range of approximately 50 miles (80 km) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

 

Mr Kronfield has created a prototype and is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to create a commercial mode.

 

According to the Kickstarter campaign: 'The system provides variable resistance, based on programmable or pre-set workout profiles, and GPS terrain-sensing virtual hills, all with torque amplified⁹ pedalling'.

 

It is estimated the price of the Raht Racer will start at $35,000 (£22,800) if the campaign is successful.

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