Comments on: Pedal-Pusher Buick Busted in Toronto

By: 50merc

50merc — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:37:58 +0000

This “Shared Propulsion Car” isn’t really a new idea. Yugo produced thousands of examples years ago. The main difference is de Broin included pedals.

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:43:35 +0000

well that beats the town. Put a big smile on my face. Looking at the profile, with the feet on the ground, shades of the Flintstones. The reaction of the policeman… some people get rigid as they age. They don’t know how to deal with that which fails to conform to the norm.

As for why a Buick Regal? Why not? Although I might have chosen a K-car for this, uh, exercise. Or maybe an old Rambler American.

By: Donal

Donal — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:33:19 +0000

Well, I’ve got a Buick Regal, but I got it for the V6 3.8, not for pedaling. I’ve had three cars with the 3.8 and it has always run like a champ. I think they’ve phased it out, though.

Here’s something that would have been a lot easier to pedal – a Fiat 500 made into an EV. The first photo is the best because the model is so tall she makes the 500 look like a toy:

http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/3275?nocomments
http://www.eurozev.org/English.htm

By: confused1096

confused1096 — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:52:16 +0000

I’m still baffled as to why they chose a Buick regal. Perhaps for structural integrity? (anyone…anyone?)

Because a lighter car would take the challenge out of the project? Besides, when restored, these are sharp looking cars.

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:10:02 +0000

OK, it is really stupid, but why is it “ART”?

The cop was a pr;&k. I have no idea why the thing should be deemed unsafe. It is no doubt annoying, but it is not a motor vehicle and is probably as safe as anything on the street including baby prams.

By: storminvormin

storminvormin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:05:42 +0000

I’m still baffled as to why they chose a Buick regal. Perhaps for structural integrity? (anyone…anyone?)

By: glenn126

glenn126 — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:45:10 +0000

Probably nobody noticed it because in New York City because it did not go any slower than traffic…. which potentially speaks volumes about the speed of New York traffic, doesn’t it?

(Of course, I’m using “speed” in as a euphamism for “something other than standing still”). As in, a Snail is “speedier” than a dead rabbit.

By: kps

kps — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:16:13 +0000

I wonder how they’ll try to argue it’s unsafe. As far as I can tell, no specific regulations apply to this other than the requirement to display a slow-moving vehicle sign. (It has too many wheels to count as a bicycle in Ontario law.)

By: dolo54

dolo54 — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:58:20 +0000

Too cool. Funny that in nyc no cops bothered them as they pedaled around for 3 hours.

By: quasimondo

quasimondo — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:12:56 +0000

Yabba-dabba-do?