Human powered vehicles provide sustainable, zero-emission transportation

Hello, I have conceived of a very unique human powered vehicle that is in the final design process, and I am soon to be starting the building of the first prototype. You can find a good description of this invention on my blog.

Without any formal design or engineering training, I have for most of my adult life been a carpenter, woodworker, and musician.

As I have mentioned you can get a good idea about the vehicle from my blog, but briefly it is a three wheeled vehicle that has no seat. The operator stands with each foot on a platform or pedal near each rear wheel of which there are two. Hands are on a steering bar that has forks and a front wheel like a bike. Each rear wheel is attached to a sliding bar that allows independent forward and backward movement of each rear wheel. The power comes from cables that wrap around a spool at each rear hub and at the other end the cable is attached to the frame. When the foot pushes backward the rear wheel rolls forward because the cable is unraveled from the spool. Various speeds can be reached with the use of internal hub gear systems. I have patent pending status with this invention.

Since I was in my teens I have been passionate about human powered transportation. It can be empowering to individuals on many levels. Firstly to have control of ones own power source; the body, and the food we eat. Also, human powered transportation helps build community. When one relies on a vehicle with a relatively short mileage range, it requires of us to be more local minded with our daily needs. I am also of the belief that when one relies so heavily on a transportation vehicle, as most of us do, it is extremely empowering when that machine is simple enough for the common people to maintain and repair. Of course there are also great health benefits from the physical exercise. Human powered vehicles are also gentle to the environment.

I think there are a lot of people out there that share this passion.

To learn more please visit jamesgraves.blogspot.com.