It looks like a tiny car, but it is actually a bike!

It is designed to protect the rider from adverse weather conditions

It is designed to protect the rider from adverse weather conditions

Bike riding is probably the best way of transportation for short distances. But its greatest disadvantages are the lack of protection from bad weather conditions along with lack of stability. Design engineer Mikael Kjellman, living in Sweden and coping with snow on a daily basis, decided to manufacture a weather-proof bicycle called PodRide to address both these issues.It is a 4-wheeled bike, featuring a small internal motor that allows it to reach speeds of around 25 km (15 miles) per hour and provides autonomy of about 60 km (37 miles). It is also equipped with headlights, a steering wheel, a trunk and a windshield wiper on its 70 kg (145 pound) frame and with its narrow enough tires (50cm-20 inch) it easily fits on most bike paths. When you sit in the PodRide, you’ll be at nearly at eye level with other small vehicles, which Kjellman says is intentional to help increase visibility.

He decided to fund his project through IndieGoGo, noting that the design wasn’t meant to fool anyone but rather to provide a safe and comfortable option for bike riding even in challenging weather conditions: “I designed and built a four-wheeled bike with full fabric body to keep dry and warm in all-weathers. I have driven it to work every day for a year now and it has proven to be a very practical and comfortable little vehicle.” Since he has already raised the full $30,000 of his original goal, the next step is proceeding to mass production, with a final cost of around $2500 per bike.