04-09-2010, 02:00 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
VWCw
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 21
Thanks: 3
Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post
|
What if the Auto Industry Designed Bicycles?
i've been thinking about the the $2000 50mpg Tata Nano turning into an $8000 35mpg car if/when it's modified for US markets.
just a thought experiment: what if the auto industry was in charge of designing/producing bicycles? what safety/convenience options would be added to make bikes more expensive, heavier, and less efficient?
so far i've got:
-crumple zones built into the frame.
-requirements that all riders wear not only helmets, but a full suit of chain-mail armor.
-safety lights pointing in every direction.
-a huge heavy battery pack to power the safety lights.
-speed governors that apply the brakes if you pedal over 10mph.
-automatic transmissions (actually these already exist).
-cupholders! everyone loves cupholders!
__________________
my bicycle gets better mileage that a prius.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to VWCw For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 02:26 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
aero guerrilla
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 2,877
Thanks: 668
Thanked 361 Times in 229 Posts
|
You forgot about power steering, plus heated seat and side mirrors. Oh, and a vacuum pump for the power brakes. And, of course, a heavy 1kW alternator to run all of the accessories. Did anyone mention the wide, low profile tires on alloy rims (optional, but standard in the DLX trim version)?
Kinda reminds me of the Twike: at first it was supposed to be a pedal-powered vehicle with electric assist, but the batteries, motors, etc., got so heavy that it ended up being electric with pedal-assist.
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be
What matters is where you're going, not how fast.
"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell
Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
|
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 03:13 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
ooo ooo ooo ah ah ah
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 7,357
Thanks: 636
Thanked 848 Times in 591 Posts
|
Auto mfgs HAVE designed bikes, or at least, put their names on them.
|
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 05:05 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Left Lane Ecodriver
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,236
Thanks: 79
Thanked 240 Times in 174 Posts
|
Two or three rows of seats on every model in the lineup.
|
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 05:25 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 134
Thanks: 44
Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts
|
Heated bike seat has already been done-
 |
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 07:41 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Gen II Prianista
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ballamer, Merlin
Posts: 391
Thanks: 155
Thanked 98 Times in 59 Posts
|
It would look just like a car:
And at least in Toronto, it would be illegal:
More. |
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 07:57 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
ECO-Evolution
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,476
Thanks: 17
Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
Auto mfgs HAVE designed bikes, or at least, put their names on them.
|
Bmw Bicycle — Luxist
__________________
"Judge a person by their questions rather than their answers."
|
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 08:03 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
Left Lane Ecodriver
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Posts: 2,236
Thanks: 79
Thanked 240 Times in 174 Posts
|
|
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 08:24 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: maine
Posts: 758
Thanks: 21
Thanked 18 Times in 14 Posts
|
Quote:
-crumple zones built into the frame.
-requirements that all riders wear not only helmets, but a full suit of chain-mail armor.
-safety lights pointing in every direction.
-a huge heavy battery pack to power the safety lights.
-speed governors that apply the brakes if you pedal over 10mph.
-automatic transmissions (actually these already exist).
-cupholders! everyone loves cupholders!
|
its funny, my old subae has no cup holders.
a bicycle desinged by automakers today would be a thing called "rice"
pedals to small, crank throw too small, wheels too small, top speed 5mph for 2000 rpm of foot fed rpms.... and a ridiculous wing strapped to our backs...
and an efficent sticker claiming better than all else.
 |
|
|
|
|
04-09-2010, 11:11 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madison AL
Posts: 1,121
Thanks: 28
Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts
|
You all have it wrong, if GM made a bike it would be a hybrid. You would pedal a generator motor that would charge the (lead acid for extra weight) battery that feeds 2 electric bicycle hubs. Don't forget the cost of the bike would be around 18k.
|
|
|
|
|
(04-09-2010), 
(06-28-2010)
