Bicycle usage in France is surging. The trend accelerated hard post-pandemic. Data shows a 75% jump between 2013 and 2022. Another 18% bump hit between 2019 and 2021. Growth hasn’t slowed, adding 13% from 2021 to 2022 alone.
But the infrastructure isn’t ready. Cyclists remain vulnerable to cars. Bad weather makes commuting miserable.
Enter Karkibes.
This isn’t a tricycle. It’s a hybrid vehicle sitting squarely between a standard bicycle and a sedan. The founders noticed a hard truth: 75% of bike accidents stem from the rider losing balance. Their solution? Four wheels. A chassis. A body.
Stability Meets Convertible Design
The Karkibes offers the stability of four wheels without the bulk of a car. It features a partially convertible body. The roof, windows, and trunk door retract. You get open-air benefits when the sun is out.
Storage is practical. The rear bench accommodates an adult or two children. Or it becomes pure cargo space. It’s not just a gimmick. It’s a functional rear area.
Safety features match road expectations. It includes brake lights, turn signals, and a horn. This isn’t a toy. It’s a road-legal vehicle designed for mixed traffic.
Three times more compact than a car. It fits on bike paths. This matters. Most cyclists hate weaving through car lanes. This vehicle lets them stay in the protected lane.
Real-World Specs and Range
Power comes from a 250W electric assist motor. The battery holds 1,240 Wh. That yields a stated range of 75 kilometers.
Can you stretch that? Yes. Three factors help:
– Pedal power from the rider
– Solar panel input
– Regenerative braking energy recovery
This isn’t theoretical. It’s a practical approach to extending range without wallowing fear.
Availability and Price
The project launched in Strasbourg in 2021. It’s still in development. First units are coming soon.
Price? Around €12,000.
Is it worth it? For city dwellers tired of parking headaches and traffic jams, maybe. It’s not cheap. But it’s not a luxury supercar either. It’s a utility vehicle disguised as a bike.
The question isn’t whether cars will disappear. It’s whether we can replace them with something lighter. Something quieter. Something that doesn’t crush a cyclist on impact.
Karkibes is betting on that future. Early samples will prove if the concept holds up on real roads. Or if it’s just another prototype gathering dust in a garage.
