Velomobile Tour Stops In Georgetown On Wednesday

Walkers, runners and bikers on the Wednesday afternoon should look out for some unusual company.

Former German official and bike commuter Josef Janning will roll through Georgetown Wednesday with a fleet of about 24 velomobilies – leg-powered bicycle cars mostly enclosed in a cone-shaped shell.

Janning's journey through Virginia enroute to Washington, D.C. is the last leg of the cross-country “Roll Over America Tour," which Janning organized to bring awareness to the vehicle and what it could mean for commuting and climate change.

In a 2010 interview, Janning said the American use of the bicycle was "exotic," purely for sport and pleasure – he wanted to show while bikes or velomobiles can’t cure climate change, using them could somewhat diminish gas emissions. You can watch Janning explain the vehicle in the video above.

They could also help traffic-ridden areas, like the D.C. region, explore some new solutions, he says.

Velomobiles are still relatively new and uncommon in the United States, though they're slowly gaining traction in Europe. They're assisted by electric motors that power the bicycle chains while still allowing the rider to shift gears. Low to the ground and sleek, the bicycle car is powered by pedals and designed for traveling long distances because they are the “most efficient method of bicycling," Janning says.

The trip began in Portland, Ore., with the goal of crossing the country  in 30 days and ending Aug. 26 in Georgetown. They'll stop in Vienna for a meet and greet with Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling members and residents Wednesday at the Caboose near the intersection of Church Street and the W&OD trail, before finishing their trip later in the day in Georgetown.

You can also track the riders on their website.