His Velomobile RV is a bicycle-camper to live (bed, kitchen, WC included)
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Micro-shelter super-designer Paul Elkins (his bike campers have inspired a movement in Germany: Fahrradwohnwagen) has created a pedal RV that converts from bike to bedroom to kitchen to bathroom to lounge in a space little larger than his own body, and using the cheapest of materials.
- To watch Paul Elkins-inspired German meet-up of bike trailers and Velomobile RVs derived from Paul's DIY designs in his place near Seattle: 2:52
The Supreme Court is now deciding whether cities can make public "camping" illegal, but what if the homeless had a bike that doubled as a home: a kind of zero-cost vanlife? Paul Elkins has spent several decades creating micro shelter designs that anyone, especially those without homes, can build with free or very affordable materials, and his latest ultra-cheap design is a recumbent bike that can be converted into a bedroom/kitchen/bathroom in minutes. It isn't a permanent solution, but his nomad pedal camper can be made out of old bicycles and discarded campaign signs and is as small and stealth as a covered bicycle.
Elkins used leftover bicycle parts and fluted plastic (which he often recycles from campaign signs) to create a bicycle camper that doesn't tow the camper, but instead brings it inside the bicycle for a hyper-efficient ride. The final bike/camper weighs less than 100 pounds, including kitchen supplies and a sleeping bag. The home converts using plywood panels that can be reconfigured to expose the pedals/handlebars or covered up for sleeping, lounging, or cooking. The shower/bathroom is created using a shower curtain that snaps to the wing door to create a private area for showering (with a solar shower) that can also be used as a sheltered guest room.
Paul’s sketchbooks on human-powered vehicles: elkinsdiy.com/....
To buy Paul’s plans: elkinsdiy.com/....
Paul Elkins' videos: / @paulwelkinsdiy
German camper meetup (Fahrradwohnwagen) credit: / @alextek .
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....
Now to make this for the poor and homeless.
It's doable.
Low cost, Mass production assembly line like the
Model T Ford.
Sold in high numbers make a little money on a large number sold.
Use city "sweeps", tax money to purchase them as a personally owned property to keep stuff in and safe place to sleep etc.
Off grid solar panels on the roof.
🚵♂️🚲🚳🚴♂️🚴♀️🚵❤
And the homeless part them out to sell for drugs, and nothing ever changes.
Because the world needs junkies riding around in three wheeled, plywood deathtraps competing with two ton vehicles.
@@TheLepke2011 It's not made out of plywood sweetheart. You didn't pay attention.
@Pax.Alotin Wake up sparky. It is made from Coroplast. There are a few plywood pieces, but it is NOT made from plywood.
Yes, in theory, but it's no good for colder weather
Kirsten there are no appropriate words to convey how much I enjoy your channel, THANK YOU!
Thanks for taking the time to write. It's really the people who keep creating and innovating that deserve the credit. But I do feel lucky I get to visit.
@kirstendirksen and we're very fortunate that you're able to share so many wonderful ideas, Kirsten. Thank you so much for that
And we are lucky to get to share in your wonderful adventures. Thank you for always bringing exciting and thought provocating subjects to your channel.
What a clever guy!! Very industrious! Love his inventions!!!
I love how he just doesn't stop creating. Or moving. We filmed on a very hot day and he just kept pedaling up those hills... content with his solar-powered fan.
I'm so glad you got to speak with him again; so many great ideas. :)
Kirsten, if it hasn't been said already, please think about covering the Bike Nomad convention in Germany. Its something that is completely inline with your audience and channel. Thanks!
Thank you Kirsten for the great work !
So cool. I have been dreaming of something like that since childhood. Much respect for actually doing :-)
I have often thought about similar concepts. In my mind, it’s one thing - but to realize that people are already doing this makes me feel great. It’s like seeing my ideas come to life - and realizing that, though these things have crossed my mind for many years, these ideas were never mine alone. Gregg Braden talked about musicians claiming their ideas came through them, as if out of nowhere. I think the same applies here - and it’s beautiful. This video has been inspiring. I have seen your content before but this time I subscribed!
Paul Elkins is a genius, everything he makes just astounds me
Been watching Paul for years. Amazing inventor!
Good video 👍
I remember the last video you did with him. He is so talented. The kids in the neighborhood must really enjoy this man's work. We need more innovators
Kirsten, love your videos and your family. What an experience for your family. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Patti. Perhaps we can come visit your gardens when we are in Montana one year.
@@kirstendirksen That would be wonderful. If you do come our way be sure to schedule some time at the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Spring (the pools are great). We are growing food regeneratively in a 30x90' greenhouse and are putting in a subtropical greenhouse in 2024.
Love this. Great job as usual of showing all ways of living. Paul is a genius.
So fun to keep visiting him because he is just constantly tinkering in his garage. Still has more ultra-light boats we haven't shown. He definitely still loves creating.
The beauty of refined simplicity, thank you Paul 👍
This man's mind works well in the gear if there's a necessity he'll create an invention for it. Seriously, who makes their own cooler from scratch? I luv it👍!
😢 Genius! As much as I love his ideas, I’m amazed that he is as simple as all of us but HE CAN DO IT! NOT DREAM IT! ❤❤❤❤❤😮
Whenever I see a thumbnail like this I double check that it's this channel. The best.
This could be BIG soon!😊
I loved seeing all of those variations on his design from the footage in Germany. Incredible how his ideas have spread.
Wow!!! I would love to have one of these! I would need pedal assist but it would be perfect! To be free from so much fuel consumption and stay dry! Awesome!
I find it interesting that these Innovative Geniuses who can come up with these marvelous and unique builds, all seem to lack any real artistic ability.
Not a single one of these things is actually pleasing to the eye.
I think odd and quirky were the look that they're shooting for.
That looks like a fun project, thanks for sharing. I always wanted a velomobile, this takes it to another level 😀
Such a great video - thanks for posting / sharing Kirsten!
I think he is amazing. I love his creations.
Paul doing it again. Wow!
I think you should make a three-in-one.It's gotta float like a boat also 😂love it
Building one my self and this is giving me a couple of good ideas thanks good sir
I absolutely love your channel!!!!!
This guy is a genius.
Great exercise, too.
love his creativity
He is so cool! It's Boeing's lost for smart man like him. I used to work for them and they treated me like dirt.
Well, we can see things are falling off their planes nowadays. Corruption got a hold over last 20 years.
Love this idea, want to do it myself one day.
This is so cool!
Indeed, Paul Elkins inspired the german FAWOWA-community. Jörg Skowronek has spread Pauls ideas in germany by inventing a tear drop camper for bikes, which is known as Skowi-Camper now. I attended the meeting in Wünschendorf. It was awesome. A lot of high tech wagons sometimes worth 10k $ plus. But anybody can build a camper, I like the dutch term "Fietsecamper" , for 300 $. It is no rocket sience.
I would love something like this
Cute
Does the toilet work while you are pedaling around or do you have to park it Infront of someone's house?
Love guys like this...
Hi. Ich verstehe leider kein Englisch aber mir wurde mitgeteilt,dass in diesem Video Szenen aus meinen Videos vom 2. Fahrrad Wohnwagen Treffen Deutschland zu sehen sind. Großartig! 😃 Schöne Grüße, Jörg. E-Bike Camping & Motorradtouren
Love - absolutely love 😮❤
3:35 Not gonna lie.... thought he was chopping up some lines for a second there.
What is the name of this charming place where this video was recorded?
Richmond Beach, WA.
It'd be quite interesting to do a bit more with the solar. There are some really light flexible ones on the market nowadays. You could almost definitely run a heat pump from a mini fridge to keep that fridge cool without ice.
What a fun guy. 😊
if I designed this I'd like it to be more aerodynamic
i really like this one.
i think 2 wheels in the front would be more stable at speed and allow it to be made more raindrop shape improving aerodynamics.
This is what we all will be doing in a few years,
3:42 It’s big in Germany, Holland and The Netherlands, that’s two countries then.
What an amazing man
Brilliant 😊
That guy's cool
reminds me of a kids fort but on a bike.
Now all we need is 8 foot wide bicycle lanes. Unfortunately with all the reckless driving, it would be suicide driving it around cars.
Reminds me of an episode of the “Little Rascals”
Unless you hitch down the tarp that’s going to be hard in windy conditions.
Paul Elkins has his own channel...
As an added bonus, when the time comes, it can serve as a coffin. Just dig the hole and wheel it right in.
A giant and ugly stucco box you can’t insure anymore and paid 1 million for won’t be as fit and cozy, that’s for sure, for living or resting in peace.
impressive!
Love the idea does so much with less.We should have been doing these things long ago . exercise too.
I want to be an American nomad in a vehicle I could probably fix myself. My coven (If I had one) would work with other covens across America to provide land to park on overnight, or even Airbnb for the weekend or something. Providing safe places for other American nomads. Or we could just sleep in Walmart parking lots, that'd be okay too 😂
I didnt see how this thing was being steered😊
i love this guy
Fellow Washingtonian!
Kristen why has this video changed titles so many times?
Was he in Lincoln City? I swear he went right by my house 😮
Cool!
He kick started the movement in Germany? I highly doubt that, the scene in Europe is far older than his first mobile shelter. His recent project rolls around in Germany for years now, you can find it on youtube ( www.youtube.com/@eBikeUnikat/featured). The landscape of Germany is only flat in the north.
i love human powered vehicles but the worst part of shrouded vehicles is despite the aerodynamic gains is the lack of cooling you lose from being open to air
He has since installed windows the open so it's a much better experience now.
Does it have a shit powered backup battery 🔋
Bio gas holding tank
I would think those are great in a safe area, but every where else in the world not so much.
Boeing execs would break out in hives. The stress.
What a workout if it's not electric 😮
The single front wheel trike design is inherently unstable in turns, tilting forward-right and forward-left with the center of gravity shift. It's why Can-Am designs their motor-trikes with 2-wheel front steering, and a single rear drive wheel.
No "bathroom" is shown. a shower curtain is NOT a WC. You'd need a Porta-Potty...
👏👏
the links are not working for me @kirsten
maybe if it had gears
Awesome video. Well done!
I would like to see him drive it thru the California Redwoods.
His Wacky Wheels inventions never cease to amaze me.
It just came to my mind that something based on this concept could be great for a mini food truck.
A lot of the old Vespa 3 wheeler mini delivery vans get converted to mini festival foodtrucks, here in Europe.
I have been following Paul for years. Love his innovations!! Thanks for showing us what he’s been up to lately! Great to see that he’s sparked a tiny camper movement. ❤️
I was reading some online forums on the Fahrradwohnwagen (Bike Camper meetings in Germany) and they mention his work quite often. There has obviously been a lot of innovation beyond his beginnings (like the Cybertruck camper), but he really is an inspiration.
Turtle? I was thinking it looks more like Sam Eagle from the Muppets.
"becourse it is the American way"
This guys such an inspiration
Working on my own coroplast microhome design because of him!
Paul Elkins is a man that neighbours will either love or not. I personally would love to have him as a neighbour. I think that the stuff he is busy with, and the ideas that he has are just so cool. I really like his camper for its simplicity and cleverness - everything has a purpose, and everything is super light whilst not giving up structural integrity or strength. It's really cool - and I think that the fan at the back of his truck is a really fun touch... thanks for sharing such and inspired and inspirational person with us. Really interesting. :-)
I wish my dad could've seen this. He always designed stuff, made stuff, repurposed stuff for little or no money. But always for us kids, or for my grandparents, or for the property (utilitarian for the ease and safety of others). Personally, he loved to take it slow and explore the outdoors. I can imagine him being impressed with this guy's campers. It's exactly the kind of thing he'd happily use for himself!
I've been following Paul for many many years, he comes up with some great innovative ideas.
Though not always fully practical, but still fun, like his tiny coroplast boats.
His homeless shelters are also very ingenious and useful.
Still the best channel on UA-cam. I can't articulate why beyond you somehow manage to encapsulate a huge swath of the human experience with each new episode.
Thank you. That was a very thoughtful comment. Or made me think about why I like doing this. I think I am motivated to attempt to figure out/uncover some of that human experience. It's a bit of an impossibility, but even just hearing a small moment of clarity from someone makes it worth trying.
I think it's a lot like SWU. It has become its own thing that transcends the artist themselves somehow. You work for it now😉
But you do good work and it's always fascinating.
Love the new design. Would love if it could be sold as kits for a reasonable price (under $2k) in the US.
I made my first bicycle camper in 2011....it saved my life several times..from 3 days of pouring rain, to -20C nights! I've made 2 since then...I hate sleeping on the ground lol!
Oh, he made a new thing! He has been such an inspiration for decades! ❤
💕💙💕💙💕💙
Cool camper bike
Germany is flat? Where is Germany flat? Chuckle, chuckle! Maybe I'm just in the wrong part! Love the innovations these folks are into though; and thank you Kirsten for continuing to bring us such great content! God knows we can use some positivity these days!
In the North
A possible solution for urban homelessness?
No this is not a solution for homelessness. This is a hobby for people who are generally mentally and physicall healthy, have a source of income, have a home base, and are doing this voluntarily. The solution for homelessness is to tackle the root causes such as poverty, poor health, mental disabilities, and addiction.
@@AlexejSvirid It sounds like you belong to some religious cult. You're probably a Jehovah's Witness. Try to think clearly. Be a good person, treat people well, and leave your cult.
Incorporated cities are pathetic; there's usually no camping. Close your eyes and cops call that camping.
Never heard about the existence of a pedal car before! Thank you for that!
"where as this is all in one see yaa!" i love this guy
WHAT A NICE GUY! Do take care. Fl.
Paul Elkins is no doubt brilliant but I can tell he's also not afraid to just try and get a wrong answer at first. To be creative you need more than smarts. You need guts and heart to ask questions and keep trying. Very inspirational.
been following his channel for years thanks to seeing him in this channel.
Niice design good job Paul! I like the standup desk and brolly area and door/awning is nice and open too! The whole thing is smaller but more open and livable of a design than your previous models.