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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Matt Bryan

Unusual tiny vehicle spotted cruising Lanarkshire streets baffles motorists who almost 'drove over it'

A number of sightings have been made in Lanarkshire of a very rare human-powered vehicle.

The tiny Velomobile was spotted cruising the streets of Strathaven this week as motorists feared it was so small they could have "driven over it".

Since its bizarre appearance in the local town, it's cropped up all over the country including Kilmarnock, Tighnabruaich, Prestwick, and Arran, where it's understood the driver - a woman from Germany - is deliberately taking her bright green mode of transport round the whole of Scotland.

One driver said the little vehicle pulled out in front of her at a roundabout coming from Stonehouse, admitting "it's easy to miss".

Others have told how it was spotted at Common Green in Strathaven, as well as sightings in Eaglesham, Lesmahagow and Douglas.

Amused motorists have compared the Velomobile to something from Thunderbirds with others naming it "the gherkin".

(Lanarkshire Live)

A Velomobile is a human-powered recumbent bike protected by a sturdy shell covering it and the driver, designed to provide an aerodynamic advantage.

They can ride on three wheels with some electric-assisted, proving a very effective way of dodging current fuel price hikes.

Though relatively rare, they are a legal mode of transport despite their petite size.

The vehicle was spotted with the driver at Ardrishaig (Lanarkshire Live)

It's unknown the motivation behind the driver of this green Velomobile's ride around Scotland, but it seems to be encouraging locals as an eco-friendly initiative and possibly even to save on the cost of fuel.

Susie Thompson spotted the vehicle in Strathaven this week. She told Lanarkshire Live : "She pulled out in front of me from Todshill St going up Kirk St.

"I was going to collect my 13-year-old daughter, Eva, from Strathaven Academy and my nine-year-old, Skye, was in the back seat.

"It was like a little beetle but at first we thought there was no one in it and it was remote control - we were wondering if it would stop at the lights!

(Lanarkshire Live)

"Skye had my phone and took a picture quickly as the lights were about to change. She then disappeared left down Station Rd, but was gone when we went back that way.

"Never seen anything like it on the roads, first for me, quite scary when it's 'driving' around and you think there is no one in it.

"Now I know but very impressive. She's obviously been spotted in Arran, Argyll and Bute, even Tighnabruaich. We now call it the Gherkin."

Sighting in Prestwick (Lanarkshire Live)

"A woman who came across the vehicle in Argyle and Bute was impressed with the lengthy travel and said: "Strathaven is a fair way from Ardrishaig, she must be tough and fit to get up and down."

Another local added: "Not sure if she's doing something for charity but she seems to be getting about, she was in Tighnabruaich the other day."

One Lanarkshire resident told: "They normally have a flag on the back for visibility, though maybe she thinks the acid green is visible enough."

A third joked: "Wonder if she's doing it for charity? It's a bit of a commute!"

And a fourth said she had to do a "double take" when she saw the vehicle on the road.

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