Who could have imagined that a treadmill on wheels would one day become a thing? Lopifit is an unusual means of transportation that allows you to power an electric bicycle by walking on a treadmill.

    Lopifit founder Bruin Bergmeester says it all started when he asked himself the question "How can I use a treadmill outdoor?"

    He eventually came up with an functional design, added an electric engine, and the Lopifit was born. It's similar to an electric bicycle, but the motor only engages when the rider puts power in as well.

    While typical e-bikes give pedal assist, the Lopifit senses when you walk on the treadmill and uses the motor to turn a drive chain at the rear of the treadmill, helping you reach a top speed of 17 miles per hour.

    To use the Lopifit, simply turn on the battery and use your foot to slide the treadmill backwards and activate the motor.

    If you need speed, walk on the treadmill, and if you want to coast, stay still and admire the view.

    To stop, you have two hand breaks at your disposal.

    The right lever disengages the motor assist and activates a rear disc brake, while the left one stops the treadmill itself, so you can go from motor assist to coasting.

    The Lopifit first hit the streets in 2014 and, unsurprisingly, became an instant hit.

    That was actually quite challenging for the company, because it started getting inquiries and calls for orders, but it was nowhere near ready for mass production.

    The unique treadmill bicycle became available this year, and Lopifit is struggling to keep up with demand, despite the hefty price tag of US$2,495.

    But despite having a very loyal fan-base of so-called Lopifitters, the ingenious means of transportation also has naysayers who simply consider the concept stupid and unnecessary.

    They basically believe that if you're going to walk, you might as well do it the old fashioned way.

    But the Lopifit does have the unique advantage of helping you "walk" really fast without breaking a sweat, or walking at cycling speed, if you will.

    Words to Learn 相关词汇

    滑行

    huáxíng

    coast

    continue to move or advance after effort has ceased, keep going on acquired momentum

    汗流浃背

    hànlíujiábèi

    break a sweat

    perspire from exercise or exertion, exert oneself

    单车？其实它是跑步机

    谁能想到有一天在跑步机上装轮子会成为流行？电动自行车Lopifit是一款与众不同的交通工具，你可以通过在跑步机行走来为它充电。

    Lopifit的创始人布伦?伯格米斯特表示，这一切都始于他的一个疑问：“我怎么才能在室外使用跑步机呢？”

    他最终想到了一个可行的设计，那就是在自行车上添加一台电动机，Lopifit就此诞生了。它和电动自行车的相似，不过只有在骑车人注入动力时发动机才能启动。

    一般的电动自行车是辅助脚踏板的，当你走上Lopifit的跑步机时它能够有所感应，并通过发动机带动跑步机后部的传动链，其最高时速可达约17英里。

    驾驶Lopifit时，你只需打开电源，用脚让跑步机向后滑动来启动发动机。

    如果你想加速，只需在跑步机上走起来，而如果你想慢慢滑行，呆着别动欣赏风景就可以了。

    你可以使用两个手刹停下来。

    右边的操纵杆可以让发动机助动装置停下来，同时启动底部盘式刹车，而左边的操纵杆可以让跑步机停下，这样你就可以从快速助力模式转为滑行。

    不出所料，2014年Lopifit首次出街便火速蹿红。

    这对Lopifit公司来说是一个很大的考验，因为他们还没做好规模量产的准备，就开始收到咨询和订单。

    Lopifit今年开售，虽然这款独特的跑步机式自行车售价高达2495美元，仍然供不应求。

    不过，除了一批被称为Lopifitter的死忠粉外，也有人不看好这款颇具创意的交通工具，他们觉得这样的创意愚蠢而多此一举。

    他们主要认为如果你想步行，就直接走路好了。

    可是Lopifit独特的优点是，它可以让你不流一滴汗就“走”得很快，甚至和自行车一样快。