(Re)considering the wisdom of automobile ownership?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'm still not sure about motorcycle trailers, since a sidecar still seems to be more versatile (at least I never saw any motorcycle trailer meant to haul passengers), but anyway, as long as nothing gets done to repel the 3-wheel layout as a way to circumvent some stricter crashworthiness requirements, enclosed tricycles might become a viable replacement for the econoboxes.

[freebeard]

http://www.eoutdoorsports.com/coach/default.aspx

Also bicycle trailers.

Originally Posted by sendler

All of these progressive discussions must keep in mind what time frame we are talking about. 2017? 5 years from now which is how far down the road most people seem to think about.

Six years from 2011 and nothing has changed? It's because people only think about 3 months ahead.

20 years? Which is just the beginning of a timeframe of being able to change infrastructure? 100 years when we pass peak oil and liquid fuel prices skyrocket?
....
Don't even want to talk about 100 years.

Cars replaced horses in the streets of New York in ten years, a century ago.

Agreed a carbon tax will prevail over cap-and-trade. If we are just beginning to change infrastructure 20 years from now, we're toast.

I personally divide my transportation needs between the bus (free pass), a bicycle and a car that appreciates more the less I drive it.

100 years from now we'll be mining coal out of asteroids and microwaving the power down to the surface.

[Fingie]

i'll give it even less.

But I've been toying with the idea of a personal EV vehicle for quite some time now.

Especially, if I get a job in the city. Maybe build my own version of the Peel P50 haha.

[freebeard]

I have the donor vehicle, I have the Lexus powertrain; all I need is battery boxes, inverter, charger[s], &etc. And a job — like you say.

The electric drive goes where the transaxle is now, the front axle is moved forward 8" to integrate the battery box, and the single-person camper interior would be swapped in from my weekly driver.

[Fingie]

this looks like a nice idea.

a Light EV vehicle here can have (it needs no insurance then):

Max 1Kw
be 1,25Metres/49inches in width
have a max speed of 15Mph/25km/h.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Skyrocketing prices of cars in my country are making me consider a motorcycle more seriously. I could even park it inside my apartment instead of having to rent a parking spot, just need to figure out a (quite) safe way to occasionally haul my dog on it.

[sendler]

A dog crate can be bolted on the rear seat.
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[freebeard]

Get a smaller dog?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Vanessa is already small.

Originally Posted by sendler

A dog crate can be bolted on the rear seat.

Repurposing a topcase similar to what's used by motorcycle couriers in my country might not be so hard, but I would still want to retain the capacity to carry either one passenger or a backpack for short trips

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Yesterday I talked with some friends about the possibility of getting a motorcycle-based tricycle, since it would serve me for working purposes, not to show-off. Even though most of the utility tricycles I see on a regular basis are fitted with Honda engines from 125cc to 150cc, the owner of one ensured that it has a maximum speed suitable to road usage in my country (even though it's still below the maximum speed limit). My motivation to consider a trike instead of some random small coupe-utility is basically the cost, since I'm not really willing to spend too much on fuel and maintenance.