Future Mobility Concept: What happened to the saviour for congested city centres?

With the Future Mobility Concept, Canyon has ventured into a new category: between e-bike and car. The vehicle communicated as the "Future Mobility Concept" is less a classic car and more a radical reinterpretation of urban mobility - electrically assisted, four-wheeled, well thought-out and consistently trimmed for efficiency. Canyon deliberately dispensed with the word "car" because it is a pedal-powered vehicle. Visually, however, it looks more like a car than a bicycle.

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Between bicycle and microcar

At first glance, the vehicle looks like a futuristic velomobile. In fact, the concept is based on a pedal-powered drive with electric assistance - designed for commuters who cover medium distances every day and do not want to do without weather protection.

In contrast to classic e-bikes, the Canyon concept offers an enclosed cabin, seat belts and a stable frame construction. At the same time, it remains narrow enough to use cycle paths - at least where the legal framework allows it. This is precisely where the strategic thrust becomes apparent: the vehicle is designed as an answer to congested city centres where cars are too big and bikes are often too exposed.

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Design as a statement

Canyon would not be Canyon if design did not play a central role. Clear lines, visible carbon elements and a reduced, functional design language characterise the appearance. The raised seating position provides an overview in city traffic, while the generous glazing creates an almost panoramic riding experience.

The design is based on lightweight construction - one of the company's core competences. The aim is to achieve maximum energy efficiency while minimising the use of materials. The Future Mobility Concept therefore looks less like a mini-car and more like a high-tech bicycle with a body.

Interview Roman Arnold: "...to give food for thought."

BIKE: Roman, you caused a furore back then with the Canyon Concept Car. For many, it was the ideal solution for congested city centres. Why was nothing more heard about it afterwards?

Roman Arnold: The Future Mobility Concept originated from a design idea that our team was working on in their spare time. They asked me if they could develop a prototype to test the feasibility of the design. When we presented it to the public as a concept in 2021, we saw it as a one-off to show the future possibilities of urban transport, rather than an immediately realisable commercial offering.

Why not?

Ultimately, we were aware that as an urban mode of transport, there is a lack of the necessary infrastructure in cities - most cycle paths are not yet designed for wider vehicles and most people do not have space at home to store such a vehicle. Last but not least, the price also played a role: the bike would have cost around 15,000 euros, which is a high barrier to entry for many people.

If cities would follow suit and create special parking areas for such covered vehicles - a vehicle like your concept car would be attractive in metropolises like Hamburg or Munich.

That would certainly help, but it's not that simple. Space in city centres is already at a premium and creating additional parking spaces for such vehicles is a major political and planning challenge. However, there are countries that at least have the infrastructure and political will to make the FMC a success.

So your aim was initially to encourage people to think?

Yes, ultimately projects like this concept car are primarily aimed at achieving this - and they have definitely succeeded. Who knows: perhaps the concept was simply ahead of its time and will experience a renaissance in the future.

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