"As others have pointed out, this is gorgeous, but it's just not workable... even on clean, level streets.  The drivetrain has a crazy amount of friction area.  A motor could push it, but without exotic materials, that frame will heatup and fail (if the rider hasn't already jumped off from the burns).  Even crazier -- the designer said he hadn't heard any 'killer arguments' against this.  Why didn't he run this by someone with decent mechanical knowhow?  The structural and operational issues hurt my brain.  Sad that he spent so much time on the artistry without any practically.  Maybe it will at least inspire some future innovations."