Update (with video!): Pedal powered Buick driver beats court charge!

[MetroMPG]

"Spectators giggle as prosecutor points out dangers of operating fake Buick"

Good news! Remember the thread Toronto cops bust pedal-powered Buick? They had their day in court this week, and came out victorious!

Via the Toronto Star:

The prosecutor's case began to unravel when he turned his attack to the tea light-candle headlights.

Up until that point, Daniel Lerner had argued that the car in question was unsafe because of its dangerous braking system. Granted, classifying the hollowed-out Buick a car is a bit of a stretch.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/410165
There's an embedded video with a little more new footage in the link above.

And the original video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSwig1tgUtY

[MetroMPG]

It's not updated yet, but there's a promise for more information on the art gallery employee's blog:

http://mercerunionhall.blogspot.com/...page_name=BLOG

[Peakster]

Whoo Hoo! That's awesome that they defeated the charge! Maybe we'll see more people-powered vehicles hit the streets now

EDIT: Lol! I love this quote:

"What would happen," Lerner charged with pointed conviction, "if a lit candle hit another car?"

[Ryland]

I would love to do something like that, my state defines a bicycle as having pedals, and two or more wheels that are 16" or larger, no limit on size, or weight, or number of wheels, or number of seats, as long as all passengers have a seat and foot rests.

[Peakster]

I wonder why your state specifically chose the 16" wheels? Is it not a bicycle if it fits those requirements, yet has smaller wheels?

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by Peakster

I wonder why your state specifically chose the 16" wheels? Is it not a bicycle if it fits those requirements, yet has smaller wheels?

So little children's bikes (typically with 10" or 12" wheels) don't need to follow the same bike laws (letting them able to ride on the sidewalk and such)

At least, that's my best guess

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by trebuchet03

So little children's bikes (typically with 10" or 12" wheels) don't need to follow the same bike laws (letting them able to ride on the sidewalk and such)

At least, that's my best guess

that is correct, it makes other vehicles "play vehicles", like skate boards, kick scooters, and the 16" is total tire hight, not wheel size, so a kids bike with 14" wheels would still most likely qualify as a bike, it's a weird way to defining a bike, I know.

was it on here where someone pointed out that no one has ever been killed in a pedal car?

[Peakster]

I wonder: Since the pedal-car is allowed to be driven around public streets, did the drivers have to get insurance for the car? Imagine if it was involved in a collision... it would open the door for the drivers to be royally sued.

[johnpr]

hmmmm, that would be interesting, i dont think the lack of insurance could be held against them due to it not being a motorized vehicle, after all they cant hold it against you if you dont have insurance on a regular bike (or can they ? hmmm)

[Tony Raine]

cool!

that would be fun to make, but i think i would choose a lighter vehicle. what about a stripped-down VW bug convertible? lots of fiberglass parts are available for them. with enough gears, you should be able to get up to enough speed for city driving. the front beam already has good enough brakes. they are also dirt-cheap to license and insure.

i know here in arkansas, theres not many vehicle laws. lots of loopholes. hand signals are still legal for day time driving. although some LED's and a small battery would take care of turn signal/brake light duty.

while it would be unsafe, yes, i feel its safer than a motorcycle, bike, or a T-bucket hot rod.

if anything, it would be cool to take to car shows!





yes, i'm diggin up old threads. i like to read