Pedal-power Buick Ruled Safe Enough
I'll give TTAC's Canadian readers the bad news first: As the summer driving season approaches, gas prices in Canada are nearing record highs established in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The good news? CTV reports that a recent ruling in Ontario has reversed a ticket issued to a Montreal artist who was charged with driving in unsafe car through downtown Toronto. Michel De Broin took his 1986 Buick, removed the engine, suspension, gearing, electrical systems and floorboards and replaced it all with tea-candles for headlights and a "shared propulsion" pedalling system, where all passengers in the car can contribute to its advancement by pedalling (top speed is 15 km/h, or about 9 mph). Justice Patrick Marum ruled that the Crown had failed to prove the car was dangerous, and the charges of operating an unsafe motor vehicle that De Broin faced were summarily dropped. Take that, Tata! If this ruling sets a precendent, Canada has moved ahead in the race to bring legal, zero-emissions cars to North America.
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Samir: Good point... I once read somewhere than an SUV-driving vegan has a smaller carbon footprint than a meat-eating cyclist. Back to the Buick, the "car" did have hand brakes that had to be operated by both the driver and the passenger, and since the car came to a stop for the traffic cop, the judge estimated that the brakes were adequate. The defence also contended that this "car" isn't less safe than a horse-and-buggy, which are still legal in these parts. Apparently, the laws of the road are quite arcane...
N85523: "Can you imagine this on the streets of San Francisco?" It'd be hilarious (for those watching). Hollywood better snap up the rights to this idea.