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Green
Transportation: Human-powered Vehicles
by
Chuck Hall
 In
1817, Baron Karl von Drais invented a prototype bicycle called the
velocipede. This was a bicycle without the pedals. He used it to get
around his extensive gardens more quickly. It was propelled much like
a skateboard, by pushing off of the ground with both feet.
Incidentally, the reason von Drais focused on inventing a horseless
form of transportation is that the price of grain (used for horse
‘fuel’) had suddenly risen in his native Germany. Could history be
repeating itself, considering our current ongoing price increases for
crude oil?
The
bicycle may just be the most efficient form of transportation ever
invented. Even a person who is only moderately fit can make a trip of
ten or fifteen miles in less than an hour on a good bicycle. With only
an afternoon’s education, even technically inept people (like
myself) can learn to do basic repairs on a bicycle. They are very
affordable, even for people of modest means. And they are so easy to
operate that a child can do it.
One
drawback to the bicycle is that while it is excellent for getting an
individual from one place to another over relatively short distances,
it’s not much help at carrying cargo. If you have to take anything
bigger than the average briefcase with you, it’s going to be
difficult to do so on a bicycle. Fortunately, tricycles aren’t just
for children. In fact, the tricycle was invented for well-to-do adults
in the middle 1800s so that bicycle enthusiasts could take passengers
along with them. Today’s tricycles are highly efficient, mult-geared
and lightweight. Most come with a cargo basket attached to the back,
and they can be purchased for as little at $300-$400. There are even
four-wheeled ‘bicycles,’ called ‘quadricycles,’ with even more
cargo capacity than tricycles. Such vehicles are perfect for those
trips to the corner market or just for cruising around the
neighborhood. There are collapsible models that can fit on an
automobile bike rack too. This makes such vehicles perfect for family
vacations. You can use the family car to get to your vacation
destination, then use the tricycle or quadricycle to see the sights.
 Bicycles
haven’t traditionally been as popular in the United States as in
Europe, simply because here in the U.S. things are spread out a great
deal more, but even in the U.S., if you live in the right location you
can replace your car with a bicycle for most close-to-home travel.
There are even tricycles and quadricycles that come with roofs so that
bad weather isn’t as much of an issue. Ideally a small-town resident
could rely on a bicycle to get to work, a tricyle or quadricycle for
grocery and shopping trips, and an automobile for those long-distance
trips to visit relatives or for vacations. And of course, the greatest
advantage of a bicycle is that there are no emissions
whatsoever…unless you count a little sweat on those uphill climbs!
If
you’re interested in getting back in shape for summer while doing
something positive for the environment, think about buying a bicycle,
tricycle or quadricycle. Good luck, and happy cycling!
Chuck
Hall is a Sustainability Consultant and author. His latest book, Green
Circles: A Sustainable Journey from the Cradle to the Grave, is now
available at Booklocker.com.
You may contact Chuck by email at: chuck@cultureartist.org or visit
the Culture Artist Web site at www.cultureartist.org.
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