Changes at Project Pedalus

New things are coming to Project Pedalus. While we’re still in planning stages, we will inform you of our progress. The planned trip across America in Summer 2009 will involve three velomobiles including human-electric hybrids, and possibly hydrogen fuel cells! As we develop our human-powered vehicles, we’ll be uploading pictures and news here on our blog.

We are actively seeking sponsorship for the Summer 2009 trip that will not only make headlines, but also influence actions worldwide. Please Contact Us for more information.

Congratulations to Al Coletta of Green Brook, NJ on his recent acquisition of a TerraTrike Path Tadpole Tricycle which he plans to use primarily for recreation and fitness. NEWS FLASH September 18: Al has reported that he now is able to ride for up to 3 hours a day at an average speed of 11-13 miles per hour! He highly recommends the Tadpole Tricycle for senior citizens to use for a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle and to extend life!

The future is here! Not only are Velomobiles fun and useful, they will save you thousands of dollars!

Nicholas Asch on his new Catrike 700 which replaces his motor vehicle for his transportation needs.

Total annual savings: $5,764.29

One less car on the road…

Congratulations to Nicholas of Team Pedalus on his recent acquisition of a Catrike 700 tadpole tricycle in place of his gasoline buring 1999 Nissan Sentra which he is selling.

Here’s why:

Nissan Sentra

Insurance: $3500/year
Mileage: 15,000 miles/year (average based on US drivers)
Gas: 15,000 miles/(35 miles per gallon) = 428.6 gallons
Fuel Cost: 428.5 gallons * $4/gallon = $1,714.29
Maintenance Cost: $600/year
CO2: 428.6 gallons*5.5*3.7=8,722 pounds of CO2 (from
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/Feg/co2.shtml)

TOTAL: $5,814.29/year

Environmental Impact: Severe

240 million registered drivers in USA http://www.usatoday.com)
240 million drivers X 8,722 pounds of CO2 =
2,093,280,000,000 pounds of CO2 from US drivers

Social Impact: Increased Traffic, Environmental Hazard
Personal Impact: Increased Stress, Economic Liability

Catrike 700 - Human Powered Vehicle

Insurance: $0/year
Mileage: New Jersey to Montreal on regular basis
Gas: $0
Maintenance Cost: $50/yr
CO2: 0

TOTAL: $50
Environmental Impact: NONE
Social Impact: Decreased Traffic, Provokes thought of other drivers
Personal Impact: $5,764.29 per year saved, healthier, lowered stress levels.

Team Pedalus had the opportunity to try out a new Velomobile this weekend from RBR in State College, PA.   For more information about their wonderful project see RBR.info.

$4.76 per Gallon

With oil prices going up rapidly, the need to replace fossil fuels grows.

Check out http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/twip/twip_crude.html to find the latest and predicted oil prices.

At $145.18 per barrel, future gas prices will reach $4.76 according to gascalc.appspot.com. Replacing or augmenting a car with a human powered vehicle can save hundreds or thousands of dollars in fuel costs alone, not mentioning eliminating high insurance premiums and expensive maintenance.

Think Ahead. (Picture courtesy of ecoagile.com)

Seeing is believing: Our Safety Priority

Along with the quest for global sustainablility, safety is a priority to Team Pedalus. Team Pedalus wishes many Human Powered Vehicles to be used on the vast road infrastructures available to cyclists today. Unfortunately for cyclists, an obvious danger lurks when sharing these efficient pathways with large motor vehicles.

Recumbent bicycles and tricycles are low to the ground and naturally have a lower frontal area for better aerodynamics which seems to make them less visible. Due to the unique design, it is often thought that recumbents are more dangerous than upright bikes. Luckily for recumbent cyclists, the opposite has been found true. Over thousands of miles and the experiences of many cyclists, we have found drivers to be more respectful of the “cool” and “awesome” recumbents. Because the sleek and odd designs of recumbents differ so greatly from familiar upright bikes, drivers tend to recognize the unfamiliar shape of the new machines and give them much more respect than our higher counterparts.

Although the sleek designs of recumbents have been found very visually attractive, Team Pedalus believes that enhanced visibility is the key to safety and has begun testing new methods and technologies to make recumbents and other human powered vehicles stand out. So far, Team Pedalus’ Tadpole Tricycle has been equipped with front and rear LED lights capable of being seen from over a mile away, bright yellow pannier covers, a Team Pedalus flag, reflective tape and of course multiple reflectors. These affordable additions to Team Peadlus’ Trike have dramatically increased the visibility and safety of the vehicle.

We believe that human powered transportation can be as safe as or even safer than motor vehicles by employing enhanced visibility modifications along with advanced spatial awareness and cycling techniques. We will continue to enhance safety techniques and technologies of Human Powered Vehicles and report our findings to you here on Pedalus.org.