Pedal Powered Car... Killing two (theoretical) birds with one stone

[Grant-53]

OK, you have had your rant. I've long wanted to build a pedal powered Mercedes C-111 based on the paper model printed in Motor Trend magazine from the early 70's. The weight and air drag are major drawbacks. A human powered/electric hybrid could be legal for speeds of less than 45 mph. Check your local laws. For cheap and easy a tandem trike with fairings could be build for less than $1000 USD.

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by BarelyAWake

That pedal car is great!

Interestingly, there may be some legal problems in the states however as they frown on four wheels w/pedal power for some reason (some regional variance)... two, no problem. Three? Yer good to go. Four? Nope - yer an evil lawbreaker.

Why? I've no idea lol

Is there some reason the vehicle needs to have 4 wheels? ... there are millions of vehicles on the roads that do not.

[Grant-53]

Usually the problem has to due to passing slow moving vehicles on narrow two lane roads. If the pedal car or velomobile is narrow enough then a car can pass without changing lanes. If your friend does not want to look at your back all day, try mounting the seats and crank so that the knees of the passenger are next to the hips of the driver. This may allow you to move the seats 3-4 inches closer and getting under the 1 meter width.

[BarelyAWake]

Originally Posted by IamIan

Is there some reason the vehicle needs to have 4 wheels? ... there are millions of vehicles on the roads that do not.

As in some states there are no width limitations for bikes or trikes, yet as you're still not allowed four wheels I can only conclude the "concern" is regarding what they view as unregistered & uninsured cars, pedal powered or otherwise...

Laws regarding such rarely incorporate what we'd consider logic *shrug*