8
particular, the foot protuberance on the bow can easily touch down when passing sinks or bollards. If
in doubt, get out or drive around these obstacles. Keep in mind that normal road building regulations
do not take into account the special features of such vehicles.
If you want to cross rails, approach them at the greatest possible angle so that your wheels don't slide
into the rails.
4.8 Loading
The load must always be well secured and stowed in such a way that it cannot get to any moving parts,
i.e. it cannot impede steering, drive or leg and arm movements. The maximum payload is 120 kg for
non-reinforced Bülk MK1.
4.9 Hold-down device
The hold-down devices are adjustable foam pads that you attach over your shoulders with Velcro.
These hold-down devices are very important for safety in the event of an accident.
With the right setting, they prevent you from slipping out of the vehicle when it rolls over and leaving
the vehicle's rollover protection.
Furthermore, correctly adjusted hold-down devices prevent the driver from sitting up in the event of a
frontal crash and thus from accelerating forward. In this way you avoid facial injuries and collisions
with the steering column.
The hold-down devices should be placed over your shoulders so that you do not feel any pressure while
riding, but the distance to your shoulders is no more than about 1 cm.
4.10 The tiller cable
The steel cable, with which the steering column (tiller) is adjusted in its inclination and position to
you, has a steering-stabilizing effect as well as a safety-relevant aspect.
In the event of a frontal crash, it prevents the steering column from colliding with your body. Read
point 5.8 on how to set the steering column correctly.
4.11 Awareness of road condition
s
Another special feature of the handling is the following: thanks to the protective bodywork and the 3
tracks, you are much better protected against slipping and falling than on a single-track bike. But:
One circumstance requires special attention! If the rear wheel of a velomobile no longer tracks the
vehicle (keeps it on track), the rear can break out and cause skidding. This can be caused by a blown
rear tire (see Precautions to take before driving) or by losing contact with the road.
This can happen in 2 situations in particular:
You drive at high speed from smooth asphalt onto a paved road or:
You are driving on the right-hand side of a road that slopes down to the right and has a very
poor surface (pits, roughness).
In both cases it can happen that the rear wheel with suspension resonates with the bumps and starts to
jump. If the road then slopes down to the right, the rear can wander off to the right.
So be sure to adjust your speed to such circumstances.
4.12 The turning Circle
