Welcome to our FAQ
We’ve compiled the questions most frequently asked by our customers to help you get the information you need quickly and easily. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
Karbikes' story
How was Karbikes born?
In 2014, Lucas Vançon was a young engineer with a passion for sport, who had decided to replace his car with a bicycle for his daily commute. The 30km round trip to his job in the Jura mountains quickly turned into a series of difficulties.
Thunderstorms on summer evenings, recurring rains in autumn, snow and black ice in the dark of winter mornings, not to mention cohabitation with cars.
The easy solution would have been to take the car back, but that’s where it all started for Lucas, when he had the idea of putting a “roof” on his bike and set himself the challenge of making it himself.
After various prototypes of tricycles, recumbents and bamboo bikes, the task proved complex, and Lucas figured that while he was at it, he might as well do it right and offer it to those looking for an alternative to the car.
At the end of 2019, with more professional experience and a few years of riding recumbent bikes and velomobiles, Lucas decided to leave his job in research to do a master’s degree in business school and make his project reality. It was while writing his dissertation in marketing that the outlines of the Karbikes concept took shape.
What is Karbikes' mission?
Karbikes is the fusion of bike and car !
We believe it’s possible to pass on a healthier world to future generations, and our mission is to transform your travel habits and reduce their impact with our lightweight vehicles. Our ambition is to create a whole range of vehicles with a clear focus on reducing weight and diversifying energy sources.
What is Karbikes?
Karbikes is the evolution of mobility towards greater sobriety. By merging the codes of the bicycle and car worlds, we offer unique vehicles approved as electric-assist bikes that combine the comfort, safety and practicality of the car, while remaining true to our commitment to the planet by being powered by pedaling and electric assistance.
Our 4-wheel electric cargo bikes with bodywork are designed with high-quality materials to guarantee performance, durability and pleasure of use. Whether for professionals or individuals, Karbikes is there to support the transition to more responsible mobility.
Who developed Karbikes?
Karbikes was born of Lucas Vançon’s need to pedal while protected from the weather, but it was the work of an entire team motivated to develop a credible alternative to the car that made it a reality.
Lucas teamed up with Gaëlle Richard, an engineer in the industry, to produce the first prototypes and find the necessary funding, then entrusted the design of the production model to Edène Pisson, Christopher Santerre and Guillaume Bouton while following an iterative development process.
What problems do Karbikes solve?
Air pollution kills millions of people every year. According to some studies, 1 in 6 people die prematurely from air pollution, and our journeys are directly responsible. That’s a colossal figure. This pollution also affects the rest of the environment and is only the visible part of a society that destroys living things.
That’s why we’ve decided to use our bikes daily, to do our bit for the environment. Yet the reality is that too few of us still cycle on a daily basis. The car is still by far the main means of transport: it’s comfortable, practical and safe. Cycling, on the other hand, may lack weather protection, safety and carrying capacity. Electrically assisted bicycles now make it easy to get around, and even to transport people or equipment for professionals. Karbikes offers electric-assisted cargo bikes with weather protection and safety features such as 4 wheels, signaling equipment and body protection.
What makes Karbikes unique?
Karbikes stands out for its design, which combines modularity, comfort and minimalism. Every feature is inspired by the simplicity of the bicycle and the practicality of the car to offer you a unique experience.
Our ambition is to help make our lifestyles more sustainable, and our commitment to the environment is global: hyper-local design and production in France, use of sustainable materials, robust vehicles, repairability…
Buying a Karbike
Why choose Karbikes ?
Still hesitating between a bike and a car? Choose Karbikes!
By choosing Karbikes rather than a car, you save fuel and money, you get exercise, you park easily, you participate in a more environmentally-friendly world and you enjoy yourself.
You’re also supporting innovation made in France. You benefit from the quality and sturdiness of French know-how, coupled with the latest technological innovations in the world of bicycles, all with a sleek, modern design, and in complete safety for your daily commute.
How can I buy?
You can configure your vehicle and make a reservation directly on the site here. This reservation validates your order and enables you to schedule delivery of your Karbike.
When your Karbike goes into production, you’ll be asked for an additional deposit, followed by final payment before delivery.
What equipment is included and what is optional??
Every Karbike is equipped to guarantee an optimal user experience. We offer a complete and satisfying model at no extra cost. Options are chainless motorization, additional battery, solar charging and body customization. For professionals, different models of boxes are available, and custom developments are possible.
What are the general terms and conditions?
In which countries are the Karbikes available?
Karbikes can be delivered in Europe by road and beyond by sea. The vehicles are delivered fully assembled and ready to use. You can also come and meet us in Strasbourg and cycle home.
What is the delivery time for a Karbike?
Karbikes production started in September 2024 in a workshop in Strasbourg. In May 2025, we moved near Strasbourg airport to a bigger workshop with a capacity of 400 Karbikes/year.
The current lead time from order to delivery is 6 months. We therefore invite companies looking for a fleet to anticipate their acquisition project in order to plan deliveries.
Warranty and maintenance
Are Karbikes guaranteed?
Karbikes are carefully designed and assembled in our Strasbourg factory by our teams of engineers and technicians. 80% of the vehicle is French and 50% is made in the hyper-local area around the assembly workshop.
For direct sales, Karbikes are guaranteed for 2 years from delivery, so you can fully enjoy your vehicle. This warranty covers all structural components such as chassis and bodywork, as well as electrical components, motor, battery and wiring harnesses.
How do I maintain my Karbike?
We provide a maintenance booklet with explanations of the preventive maintenance to be carried out. If you bought your Karbike in a store, contact your dealer directly to arrange maintenance. If you ordered on our website, you’ll get a direct line to contact us if you need spare parts, and a visit from one of our technicians if necessary.
Technical specifications
What are the dimensions of Karbikes?
Karbikes chassis are 80cm wide and 2m25 long. With the cab, they are 1.50 m high, and models with a box can be up to 1.80 m high. Ground clearance is 14 cm.
What is the transport capacity?
The GVW of the Karbikes is 330kg with the Valeo engine. The empty weight is 120kg, so you can carry a total of 210kg. Seats and loading areas have their own load limits. 120kg per seat, 150kg for the rear load area and 20kg for the roof bars. We recommend placing loads as low as possible to maintain vehicle stability.
What is the maximum speed?
Karbikes are electrically assisted bikes, and this assistance stops at 25 km/h. It is possible to pedal faster, but in practice the weight of the vehicle limits the possibility of going faster. Conversely, weight increases the possibility of going faster downhill. The maximum speed is 35km/h. Above this speed, an error code is displayed on the screen, and in the event of abuse, the warranty will no longer apply.
Is a 45km/h version planned?
No, or at least not for the moment.
There is a category of bicycles capable of going at 45km/h, called speed-bikes. But this category applies only to 2-wheeled bicycles, not to tricycles and quadricycles. A Karbike exceeding 25km/h would be considered a light motor quadricycle (L6e).
This type of vehicle requires registration, and therefore a license plate, a vehicle registration document, a moped license, compulsory insurance and must comply with standards that make the vehicles heavier. We’ve seen prototypes of 200kg L6e quadricycles end up at 400kg as production models, after heavy investment to pass homologation tests.
Last but not least, this type of vehicle can’t use bike lanes, can’t carry 2 children (because it’s limited to 2 people), can’t park for free on sidewalks, and can’t weave between cars.
How does Karbikes behave when cornering?
Karbikes are inspired as much by bicycles as by cars. The geometry of Karbikes is similar to that of a German sedan, and the suspension architecture to that of an American pick-up truck. The series of Karbikes prototypes has enabled us to validate these technical choices, as well as the handling in real-life conditions. With its center of gravity lowered to the maximum, the Karbike can take all types of bend at 25km/h. Its roadholding was praised by all the riders who tested it.
How does the Karbike perform uphill?
Karbikes are powered by the strength of your calves and by motors specifically designed for the cargo bikes of the most demanding professionals. They are highly torquey and capable of climbing gradients of up to 15%.
Maximum gradient and climbing speed will depend on the load to be transported.
A single person will climb slopes of up to 5% at 25km/h. Beyond that, speed decreases.
A fully loaded vehicle (330kg GVW) can climb gradients of up to 10%.
To optimize climbing ability, we recommend using the manual mode of the gearbox to downshift and use the engine’s full potential when climbing.
Are Karbikes right for my size?
Karbikes are small vehicles but offer plenty of room inside. The seats and handlebars are easily adjustable to accommodate people from 1.50 to 2.00 m tall. The 60cm-wide rear seat can accommodate 2 children, even tall ones.
Are Karbikes suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Karbikes offer great stability thanks to their 4 wheels. People with reduced balance will be able to rediscover the pleasure of pedaling.
Seats are at a height of 50cm, facilitating access for people with reduced mobility.
Wheelchair users can sit easily in the rear seat, and a folded wheelchair can be stored in the trunk or on the driver’s side.
We have not developed a hand pedal. Adaptations are possible, notably with the generator pedal, which simplifies transmission, but we recommend that you consult a vehicle adaptation specialist.
Motor and battery
What motors are available?
Karbikes are powered by Valeo. This French manufacturer has developed a specific solution for electrically assisted bicycles, incorporating car components such as automatic gearbox, reverse gear and Bluetooth locking system. In addition to being lightweight and compact, this motor was developed for professional cargo bikes, and has the torque needed to carry heavy loads, even uphill. The motor propels you via a chain drive to the rear differential.
Chainless transmission will also be available from 2026. Pedaling creates electricity via a generator, which is then sent directly to a rear motor.
Which batteries are available?
We offer two lithium-ion batteries with the Valeo system, 650Wh and 1240Wh.
These two batteries can be recharged from 0 to 100% in 4 hours and 8 hours respectively.
How does the Karbike recharge?
The Karbike battery can be recharged in 2 ways. You can plug the vehicle in directly or remove the battery and plug it into the 115-230 volt mains supply. The charger included looks like a laptop charger.
Is there a reverse gear?
Yes, it allows you to reverse at up to 6km/h, without pedaling, thanks to the start-assist trigger.
Is there regenerative braking?
The Valeo Cyclee motorization kit does not yet allow this. The battery that will be available in 2026 will.
Is there a solar panel?
The Valeo Cyclee motorization kit does not yet allow this. The battery that will be available in 2026 will.
Security and anti-theft measures
What safety equipment is provided?
Your safety is our top priority. To begin your experience, we invite you to read the user manual in detail. Karbikes are designed with your safety in mind, with 4-wheel stability and protective bodywork the same height as a conventional car.
Karbikes feature a complete signaling system (parking lights, high beam, turn signals, brake lights, horn, reflectors), a high-performance braking system and a connected locking system. When your Karbike is locked, the pedals are disconnected from the wheels and you need a password to unlock it. You can also unlock it remotely using your smartphone.
Last but not least, the rear seat is equipped with harnesses for securing child passengers, as well as handles for holding on.
What are the safety recommendations?
To use your vehicle safely, it’s essential to comply with local traffic regulations and carry out regular maintenance.
How to fit children?
The harnesses supplied with the rear seats are compulsory for children. As can be helmets, which are compulsory for children up to the age of 12 in France. In other cargo bikes, children can quickly become cramped. This is not the case with a Karbike, as the rear seat is wider and the passenger compartment more spacious.
How do I park on public roads?
Karbikes are very easy to park, as they are authorized to park on public roads free of charge, and even on sidewalks like other bikes. It’s also possible to park perpendicular to cars, as the length of a Karbike is close to the width of a car, making it possible to park at least 4 Karbikes in a car space.
When parking on a sidewalk, it’s important to respect other users. There is not always an official rule, but we encourage you to leave a 1.50 m gap to avoid taking up too much space.
When parking, be sure to lock your vehicle and secure it to a fixed point with an approved anti-theft device, taking care to secure the chassis and one wheel.
What standards do Karbikes meet?
There is a European standard for cargo bikes, especially electric cargo bikes. Karbikes are approved as electric-assist cargo bikes throughout Europe, because they comply with this European standard.
Regulations
What do the regulations say?
All our vehicles are approved as electrically assisted bicycles throughout the European Union, and comply with safety and performance regulations.
Do I need insurance?
Insurance is not compulsory for electrically-assisted bikes that comply with European standards (limited to 25 km/h and 250W power). In the event of an accident, you’re covered by your household third-party liability insurance. However, we can only recommend that you check that your insurance covers you, and take out “all-risks” insurance to cover theft, breakage and damage.
Do I need a license?
No, you don’t need a license to drive an electrically-assisted bike that complies with European standards. Unlike a “L6e” or “free-license car”, which in fact requires a moped license to ride on public roads.
What is the minimum age for riding a Karbike?
The driving age for an electrically-assisted bicycle varies across Europe. In France and Germany it’s 14, while in Belgium there’s no minimum age.
Can I increase the speed of my Karbike?
No, any modification that increases power or speed beyond legal limits would render your bike non-compliant with regulations and could void the warranty. In addition, it could lead to fines or penalties, and you would not be compensated by your insurance in the event of an accident.
