Elf Electric Pedal Car: When 1 Horsepower Is Enough

As a rule of thumb, if you need to move a horse-like weight at horse-like speeds, one horsepower will do.

For the price they're offering it - I feel like it might end up going down the same road as a Segway. For 5000$ - why not buy a used car if you really cant get around those distances on foot? I just feel like the speed vs price vs safety vs existence of other much cheaper options - will make this thing a lot less attractive.

I guess the main benefit of a motor on a bike would be to get up hills quickly so you don't have to pedal as much, flat pedaling would be fine.

I wonder where you would park it though? Would you need to have a parking spot for it? That's expensive in a city like San Francisco and finding a parking spot sucks going anywhere.

An expanded one of these with room for a couple of children would probably be useful. I know one person who cycles the school run with a 5 year old in a seat at the back of the bike and two younger children in a bike trailer.

A latter day Sinclair C5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5

A top speed of 20 mph seems dangerously slow for public roads.