exercise, transport and protection.
This web site also tells you about
HPV 11 - a simple experimental pedal car I built from bike parts, plywood and household items and which any keen DIY person can build for themselves. No complex processes
involved. Can be built with just hand tools. All parts bolted or glued together. Plans and construction details available .See details at bottom of page.
Also HPV30 , 39 +40 under development
Know anyone else who might be interested in this web site.? Please let them know.
See HPV11
next at-
To Be
Advised
ecofunmobile.com
ecology is
fun in a pedal car /
velomobile [velodrome car]/ hpv.
Coming soon -
Log based cycling safety trailer
Until the industrial revolution the whole world was muscle powered [with a little wind and water power]
Animals pulled chariots, coaches and wagons. Perhaps the first HPVs were water vehicles and the first land HPVs sedan chairs. The invention of the bicycle was the most significant HPV giving much greater mobility to the average person. The step from bicycle to pedal car was an obvious one and in the 1950s and 60s many universities organised pedal car races to develop a useful pedal car. eg Bristol England where an annual race was held at Whitchurch airfield.
Evidently no design emerged. In the 1980s interest was aroused by some very high tech lightweight and very aerodynamic HPVs in USA that broke the 55mph speed limit. Unfortunatly no design emerged that was put to general use. Not to be forgotten is Sir Clive Sinclairs C5. Nor should we forget the amazing pedal planes that crossed the English channel and went on to cross even larger stretches of sea.
Perhaps NOW is the time for HPVs to come to the planets help. We now are aware of our need to reduce fossil fuel use. We now are aware of our need for more exercise to avoid obesity and a host of ills brought on by inactivity. Pedal cars could certainly help with these issues.
Body - Monocoque external grade plywood, mostly 6mm some 4mm. The body is basicaly a closed box with an integral seat .
Construction- All parts are bolted or screwed together. Some use of wood glue.
No welding, thread cutting or other complex processes used.
Length - 6 feet Width - 30 inches, can enter most doors Height - 4' 2"
Wheels - four 20" bicycle wheels supported on bicycle forks at the front and on bicycle frame "drop outs" at the rear.
Suspension - nil, this is for smooth roads. [Or slower use on bumpy sections]
Transmission- pedal assembly near the front-then- chain to transverse
drive shaft-then- chain to LH rear wheel.[For the ratchets to work correctly drive must be to the LH wheel regardless of which side the door is fitted.]
Gears- Normal mountain bike gears15/18 speed at first chain
Steering - The forks are hinged to provide steering activated by a central tiller.
Brakes - 4 bicycle caliper brakes.
Crumple Zone - The space behind the seat has been filled with about 100 aluminium drink cans to absorb impact energy upon a rear impact.
Additional Crumple Member- Because the back of HPV11 is vertical, an ACM
can be deployed on the back of Hpv11. When parked this can be stored inside.
So far tested to about 10 MPH with bags of gravel to simulate the driver.
This design is Copyright, however permission is given for anyone to build one for
themself, their family or friends.
The best bike in a rear shunt?
This web site thinks so!
a door can be fitted either side, or both sides if preferred.
eco
fun
mobile.
com
Global Warming - Zero carbon emissions
Obesity - More exercise than a bicycle
Traffic Jams - Can use cycle lanes and pavements in some places
Cycling Safety - Properly developed , could probably survive most fatal bike accidents. HPV 11 with its additional rear crumple member has survived a 10 mph rear impact, in a test, from a large van.
Air Quality - No pollution.
FUEL COSTS - nil
EMPLOYMENT - Could DIY pedal cars even help
with employment?
Build one for someone else. About 200 hours work.
you would need to be sales, production etc. etc..
are many but here are just a few-
Exercise about 50 cal./mile.
Transport ideal for those short trips.
Protection from the elements -sun, rain and wind and some protection from a minor rear impact - HPV11 has a crumple member behind the seat [consisting of about 100 empty aluminium drink cans] This has been tested sucessfully so far with a rear impact of about
10 mph .[with an additional rear crumple member]
Ecological no pollution at all, and the only co2 is from your breath! To breath clean air even in the worst polluted city, it would be possible to carry
your own air supply by adapting an aqualung.
Comfort You can make it as comfortable as you like. Then if you get too tired you can sit and recover in comfort.
Integration Due to its small size a pedal
car can often be used as part of a journey. EG
it could be carried across the back of most cars and just used for the last part of the journey.
HPV 11 can have a tow bar fitted so it can be towed behind a car. Runs on rear wheels with front wheels off the ground.
With so many advantages could a pedal car help in your daily routine ?
Danger from other road users
so only use in safe conditions, observe all saftey rules, and if in any doubt get out and push it from the saftey of the pavement Be careful to avoid putting yourself in situations where you could be crushed between larger vehicles. The low height means you might not be seen in traffic. Fly a flag from a pole a bit higher? Personally I would only use HPV11 on a cycle track. Hpv39 [upright] feels much safer with its large van mirrors to see whats coming up behind.
Hard work in hot weather, on long journeys and in hilly areas. So only use where suitable. As with any exercise ,start gently and build up gradually.
eco
fun
mobile
.com
shows the transmission train from pedals to LH rear wheel.
For the 3 rachets involved to work correctly drive
must be to the LEFT HAND rear wheel.
regardless of which side door is fitted
Main items needed to build hpv11
3 sheets of 6mm plywood [external grade]8'x4'
1 sheet of 4mm plywood [external grade] 8'x4'
1"x6" timber small quantity
4"x2" timber small quantity
2 front 20" bicycle wheels
2 rear 20" bicycle wheels
1 bicycle frame and chainwheel.
2front forks to support front wheels
4 rear "drop outs" from bike frame tosupport rear wheels
2 rear bicycle wheel hubs and chainwheels to make transverse drive shaft. Also need about 10" of 54mm steel tube [caravan single leg table leg]
2 chains
4 caliper brakes.
eco
fun
mobile
.com
www.
eco
fun
mobile
.com
the
pedal
cars
you
can
build
An information pack documenting hpv11 is
available consisting of 6 A4 sheets - [sheet 3 may be A3 size.]
page 1 - Introduction, specification and how it works diagram [as above]
page 2 3 drawings-
A - Internal view drawing, showing the view from the seat.
B - Plan view of floor pan 1:12 scale [1"=1'] showing steering, pedal
assembly, gears, drive shaft, chain 2, wheels ,brake assembly etc.
C - Side view. 1:12 scale. with side panel removed showing pedal assembly, chain 1, drive shaft, under seat storage, crumple member with positions and approximate sizes of cans used [eg 400ml 330 ml. etc. ].
page 3 3 drawings-
A - Panel shape and interconnexion diagram. This shows the shape of all main body parts and how they interconnect.[ if A4 scale is 1:16.75, if A3 scale is 1:12]
B - Steering dia., showing how the steering is constructed and works.
C - Drive train dia..showing in particular how the drive shaft is made.
page 4 - Step by step body assembly diagram from floor pan to body shell in
about 15 steps.
pages 5+6 - Construction details [text]
It is hoped that these 6 pages contain enough information for any keen DIYer
to build a basic functioning vehicle.. To complete the vehicle see how the
various minor systems work on HPV11 wherever it is on display, or try out
your own ideas.
To avoid problems with needing peddler licences !!!for each location, this info pack will not be offered for sale but will be available for £1 where ever you see HPV11 - just ask.
A construction manual is being prepared and will be available soon.
This will consist of about 30 sheets of drawings and about the same of text.
This is an ongoing project.Some of the latest
developments are listed below.
Aug 2007- coming soon an upright hpv.
[hpv11 is a recumbant - lay back type]
This has the serial no. HPV30 A futher A3 sheet will be added to the info pack showing this later. Brief description- HPV30 is built around a bike frame. 18mm ply floor, 6mm body panels, 4 wheels 8"x4.80
As you ride this upright you have a more commanding view of the road and traffic. 2 good large mirrors from a van are fitted. Feels much safer than a recumbant.
Tested for 10 MPH rear impact OK [with anti tip bar]
Feb 08 - tested ok, but now working on HPV39 see below
Transmission is by linking the RH pedal of the central frame to the RH side bikes LH pedal.
This is a very easy pedal car to build as the 2 side bikes have all the running gear all ready in place. When finished sorting will include instructions in documents available. See more
info above
Tested OK autumn '08, autumn '09 under development. Oct 09 Flexable "floor" fitted.
Oct 09 Tow bar to tow Hpv11 behind Hpv39 fitted. Hpv11 steers by castor action.
Upright HPVs seem the way forward, good visability and level with most traffic.
| Add your text here |
Thats the theory ! more testing needed ! Nov 2010
July 9th 2011 ongoing, preparing documentation will publish on this website later.
May 2012.seems to work ok as a trailer, not tested as regards to
rear impact...fortunatly!
Previous outings -
Date Time hpv no Place Type
16 Aug 09 3-4 pm 09 11 Southampton Common Being pedaled [got puncture]
28 October 07 11 Bournemouth Sea front Boscombe Pier to Hengisbury Head. Pedalled.
12 march 07 11 Wapping London Being pedaled . ie. in action + Stationary
1Jan 07 2-3pm 11 Bournemouth sea front Dorset England Towed by car on its trailer.
Sandbanks sea front . Poole park. Trailer lights problem
Display modes -
Hpv11 Stationary so it can be inspected.
Hpv11 Towed by car using HPV towbar.
Hpv11 Towed by car on its trailer.
Hpv11 Being pedaled . ie. in action
Hpv39 Being pedaled.
Hpv39 Being pedaled towing Hpv11.
DIY pedal car / velomobile
ecology is fun with a pedal car / velomobile even in the rain!