你以为这是单车？其实它是台跑步机

跑步机也能成为一种交通工具吗？多亏了Lopifit的创始人布伦•伯格米斯特的脑洞，这已经成为现实。Lopifit跑步机式自行车从外观看上去与传统自行车差别不大，区别在于它并没有脚踏板和车座，取而代之的是一款类似跑步机的履带。你只要站在跑步机上跑步，履带就会带动后轮前进。

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.
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 founder Bruin Bergmeester says it all started when he asked himself the question "How can I use a treadmill outdoor?"
Lopifit的创始人布伦•伯格米斯特表示，这一切都始于他心中的一个疑问：“我怎么才能在室外使用跑步机呢？”

He eventually came up with an functional design, added an electric engine, and the Lopifit was born. It's similar to an electric bicycle in that the motor only engages when the rider puts power in as well.
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发动机，Lopifit就此诞生了。它和电动自行车的相似之处是，只有在骑车人注入动力时发动机才能接合。

Only 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.
只不过，一般的电动自行车是辅助脚踏板的，但当你走上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27千米。

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

Then get on and enjoy the ride! If you need speed, just walk on the treadmill, and if you want to coast, all you have to do is stay still and admire the view.
然后，你就可以上车飞驰了！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，只要呆着别动欣赏风景就可以了。

To stop, you have two hand breaks at your disposal.
你可以随意使用两个手刹停下来。

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.
右边的操纵杆可分离发动机助动装置，同时启动底部盘式制动器，而左边的操纵杆可以让跑步机自己停下，这样你就不会滑行了。

The Lopifit first hit the streets in 2014 and, unsurprisingly, became an instant hit.
不出所料，2014年Lopifit首次出街便火速蹿红。

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.
这对Lopifit公司来说是一个很大的考验，因为他们还远没有做好大规模生产的准备，就开始收到咨询和订购需求。

The unique treadmill bicycle became available this year, and Lopifit is struggling to keep up with demand, despite the hefty price tag of $2,115.
Lopifit今年已经开售，虽然这款独特的跑步机式自行车售价高达2115美元，但是仍然供不应求。

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.
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。

They basically believe that if you're going to walk, you might as well do it the old fashioned way.
他们主要认为如果你想要步行，还不如就用传统的方式。

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.
可是，Lopifit独特的优点是，如果你愿意的话，它可以让你不流一滴汗就“走”得和自行车一样快。

Vocabulary

treadmill: 跑步机
naysayer: 反对者