Engineering:Whike

Short description: Recumbent tricycle with a sail

Whike at the Dutch coast

Whike is a brand of recumbent tricycles with a sail that are manufactured in the Netherlands.

First released on 5 June 2008, it has a 1.6 m² (17 sq ft) sail and can reach speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph) with wind speeds of 4–5 bft (13–24 mph or 21–39 km/h). It can be legally used on bike lanes and streets in the Netherlands and the UK. Activating the front brake releases the sail's spin lock, assuring there will be no more wind-propulsion.

Features

The Whike features a three piece aluminum mast that can be stowed away on board when not needed. It is also equipped with 18 gears. To maintain responsive stopping the trike is fitted with disc brakes on all wheels. The cycle also has a handbrake. The Whike weighs 23 kg (51 lb) including the sail and can carry a maximum weight of 115 kg (254 lb) including luggage. Additionally, the sail can aid the visibility of the cycle.

Additional features:

• Three-wheeled recumbent with 1.6 m² (17 sq ft) sail
• Propulsion by wind and Pedal Power
• Top speed 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Sail operated through pulley and spinlock mainsheet system
• Sail released automatically by any braking action
• Mast can be removed for storage or transport
• luggage rack

It is recommended to ride a Whike only with a helmet, having a load of at least 65 kg (143 lb), to use a smaller sail at wind speeds over 5 bft (at more than 24 mph or 39 km/h) and not use any sail with wind speeds over 6 bft (at more than 30 mph or 48 km/h).

Availability

The Whike is sold directly to customers and is also available from some specialist suppliers. The Whike costs around €3500 for customers in the Netherlands (2010) with accessories available for additional cost.

See also

• Outline of cycling
• List of motorized trikes
• Tricycle
• Land sailing

External links

• Official website
• Photographs of Whike-test drives.
• Treehugger article on the Whike
• BBC Article on the Whike
• newspaper article