AutoSpeed mag has recently been running a series on alternative cars, which has largely passed me by until they got to Alternative Cars, Part 4 Human Powered (aka faired recumbents):
The advantages of a human-powered velomobile are many. If the cost of food is ignored, running costs are very low - effectively free in fact. The exercise has major health benefits and emissions are zero.
But on the downside:
For people of average fitness, range and speed are severely limited. In hot environments the rider will need to shower and change their clothes after finishing their ride, which limits work commuting to relatively short distances to workplaces that provide appropriate shower facilities. In very cold environments the lack of heating is problematic.
Other issues have also covered: Electric, Solar, Turbine, and Steam cars.
More gadgets
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Intelligent lock focuses CCTV on bicycle thieves but Andrea has his doubts, still it could work.
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Gyrobike uses the incredible power of gyros to create invisible training wheels. Or something like that. I think. Anyway, it's pretty cool.
(Commercialise now please—I have a child who could use this!)
Commuting
- I previously mentioned Steve George's Bike of Doom, but it turns out the BT Humble has been doing much the same thing in Canberra on a sub-$100 department store mountain bike, which paid for itself in just over a month of commuting.
Question answered
- What is a randonneur? Why, French for badass, of course
Comments
I so want a velomobile, they're just so expensive. There's a mob in NZ selling them and it's very tempting. Trouble is the lcoals around my way would probably attack on with pointed sticks if I ever took it out on the road.
Cue Duelling Banjos…