What is a human powered vehicle?
Broadly speaking, a human powered vehicle (HPV) is any land , water or air craft in which the rider is the primary means of propulsion. Focusing primarily on land based human powered vehicles, this would include conventional upright bicycles of all types, adult tricycles, recumbent bikes and trikes, velomobiles (enclosed all weather bikes), load carrying bikes, and technically could even include such things as skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, etc. Human powered vehicles have been around since the mid to late 1800’s - before automobiles even - and it is likely that whatever need has arisen in that time, an HPV has been invented to fill that need.
Human Powered vehicles - especially those propelled primarily by pedal power offer ultra low carbon, low environmental footprint, climate friendly transportation options. Save the cost of a gym membership while riding the pedal powered vehicle of your choice is good for your own health and that of the planet!
On this page we will focus in on a few types, starting with the recumbent bicycle.
Why ride a recumbent bike?
Comfort - the seat of recumbent bicycles spreads the rider’s weight over the back and bottom, in contrast with the saddle of a conventional bike. It is essentially a comfortable lawn-chair on wheels.
Speed potential - some designs are optimized for speed
Safety - going over the handlebars is nearly impossible, and in the event of a fall, the distance to the ground is much less.
What about a recumbent trike?
Trikes have the comfort advantage of recumbent bikes, and with the addition of a third wheel, the need to balance is eliminated, and the learning curve for riding is almost non-existent.
Loading up a trike with cargo is nearly hassle free.
Riding a trike is tons of fun - almost like riding a slot car!
How about Velomobiles?
With the addition of a fairing, or enclosure, many possibility are opened up…
In addition to the comfortable seat and ease of riding on three wheels, there is:
Substantial weather protection and extended riding season.
Cargo capacity - carrying a weeks’s worth of groceries is realistic.
Increased safety through enhanced road presence and improved crash protection.
Aerodynamics - go faster, or farther than is possible on a conventional bike using the same amount of energy.
The ability to travel at near automobile speeds under muscle power alone provides a whole new super-hero like dimension of fun!
Load Carrying?
A wide variety of human powered load carriers exist, and in fact for local load carrying they can often make cars or trucks unnecessary.