Caravans have long been favoured by road travellers but a new trend is now catering to cyclists seeking a unique way to travel in comfort: enter bicycle caravans, innovative mini-trailers designed to be towed by electric bikes.
The contraptions offer cyclists a self-contained mobile accommodation solution and are gaining popularity, with several notable projects taking the spotlight.
At the forefront of this movement is the French company TinyVroum, renowned for its car-drawn caravans. Its CapsulBike is designed for cyclists and comes loaded with essentials. With a 200x70 cm sleeping station, it features a stainless steel and aluminium kitchen and a collapsible table.
Harnessing solar power, it can operate a heating sleeping bag, a small cooler, and LED lighting. Moreover, it boasts rainwater collection and filtration systems, along with a foldable shower cabin and toilet facilities.
TinyVroum founder and designer Christophe La Cancellera told the Brussels Times that he took inspiration from the works of Leonardo da Vinci.
“I’m a carpenter by trade but making window frames alone wasn't enough during these prolonged periods of various and repeated crises,” he said. “I wanted to create something playful, something original. I wanted to invent. I'm a great fan of inventors who have shaped our civilisation, like Leonardo da Vinci, a master in the field, a visionary and talented individual."
"I had the opportunity to see some of his works three years ago in Milan, a true childhood dream. And on that day, I realised that the essence of life was to invent things, to imagine the future. I'm not comparing myself to that genius, of course! He's the ultimate master."
Another reason for pursuing this dream was La Cancellera’s hope for a world weaned off its addiction to oil, a world which is more local, closer to nature, and less complex.
"That's when I thought of TinyVroum and Capsulbike, two lightweight and autonomous travel pods, one for small electric cars and the other for bicycles, both redefining the means of transportation." The Capsulbike currently retails at €3,900, without accessories, while the car version comes in at over €19,000.
"Since then, everything has fallen into place like a magical alignment of stars: prototypes that people like, highly viewed videos on the internet, international awards and recognition, orders from all over Europe, and recently, requests from the USA. Here I am, a small village artisan, receiving emails from California!"
Since its launch, CapsulBike has been honoured with the prestigious Leonardo da Vinci Prize at the 2023 Lépine Competition, showcasing its groundbreaking design and functionality.
"This has been the icing on the cake," La Cancellera said. "The members of the Lepine jury, including (French aeronautical engineer and pioneer) Gérard Feldzer, honoured me with two gold medals and, most notably, the Leonardo da Vinci Award. Even to this day, I am still moved by it. And it's worth noting that Capsulbike and TinyVroum are the first ecological inventions to receive these awards - and I am delighted about it."
Similar concepts have also hit the market, such as the Finnish innovation Hupi. This more traditional yet luxurious caravan offers ample comfort and convenience. Also fuelled by solar energy, the Hupi caravan can not only chill a compact refrigerator but also charge laptops, smartphones, and even e-bike batteries. With its debut at the Lahti Caravan trade fair, the Hupi Wagon has rapidly gained popularity among modern, environmentally aware travellers. The brainchild of Urpo "Upi" Merranmaa, this eco-friendly travel trailer provides a cozy home on wheels for solo adventurers, doubling as a remote worker's dream workspace amid nature.
Starting at €5,990, the Hupi Wagon base model can be customised with diverse accessories, tailoring the experience to individual preferences. With dimensions of 200cm in length, 106 cm in width, and a height of 131 cm, and weighing between 65 and 70 kg (excluding accessories), the Hupi Wagon offers portability and versatility.
Another noteworthy initiative hailing from Denmark is the Wide Path Camper, featuring a fold-out design to create a sleeping space of 200 x 90 cm. This clever solution enables cyclists to effortlessly explore new horizons, setting up camp in a matter of minutes. The compact yet surprisingly spacious bicycle camper accommodates two people comfortably, providing shelter through its sturdy hardshell exterior.
Although these "caravans" currently command a premium due to limited production, they offer an enticing prospect for those yearning for exotic, eco-friendly holidays without sacrificing comfort. As the demand for sustainable travel solutions continues to grow, bicycle caravans are emerging as the embodiment of adventure, eco-consciousness, and mobile luxury.
