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Pedal Powered Buick

December 6, 2007

The following video is an interesting take on the idea of people powered transportation. The Shared Propulsion car was crated by artist Michael de Broin.

From the artists website

In this project, all superfluous devices were removed from an 86’ Buick Regal – the engine, suspension, transmission and electrical system – thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle whilst preserving its appearance. It was then equipped with 4 independent pedal and gear mechanisms that make it possible for passengers to form the self-propulsion group. A cutting edge transmission technology was developed to transmit the power supplied by the passengers to the drive wheels and to vary the reduction ratios between cyclists and wheels, so as to ensure their progressive coupling for start-ups. With a top speed of around 15 km/h, the vehicle’s resistance to the culture of performance is raised to an unprecedented level. The Shared Propulsion Car makes it possible for the passengers to drive on public roads with the goal of blocking traffic.

The last line in this description is a little confusing for me…”The Shared Propulsion Car makes it possible for the passengers to drive on public roads with the goal of blocking traffic”. This gives me the impression that the thinking behind the project was along the lines of of a Critical Mass bicycle ride (more on critical mass rides here).

Another way of looking at this of course would be to consider how this concept could be extended beyond the “art car” and into the realm of day to day transportation. While the stripped down Buick certainly lost a lot of pounds in it’s conversion to a pedal propelled vehicle what could we do if with started from scratch with the ideal of shared propulsion in mind?

I was impressed by the speed achieved by the Shared Propulsion car. Now consider what kind of cruising speed could be maintained in a similar vehicle if you could drop another 500-1000 pounds? (I am sure even a stripped down 86 Buick has to weigh in over a 1000 pounds? Thoughts anyone?) Four wheeled, multi pedal bikes are not necessarily a new phenomenon, however their use as a viable day to day from of transportation certainly is.

Enjoy the clip and share your thoughts on how the bigger picture here might be applied locally.

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Sustainability, Transportation, Video 

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