Green Options » pedal power

9 Simple-Tech Vehicles From Burning Man

Susan Kraemer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:44:27 +0000

Ever imagine scenarios of possible futures based on different trajectories we seem to be on?

One such scenario is a Mad Max America in the 2200’s. The Southwest has succumbed to desertification from climate change. Peak oil peaked centuries ago. The US was too late to transition to the post oil age. What’s left of us compile hand-cranked vehicles from ancient industrial scraps.

To get around in the 23rd century, we would put together the kind of mutant makeshift creations you see at Burning Man. Simple tech vehicles for a Mad Max future.

15 Zero Emissions Vehicles for Family Transportation: Eco-Friendly SUVs 2.0

Derek Markham — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:56:28 +0000

Gas prices are high and the economy is getting worse, but you still have to get yourself and your family to work, school, and the grocery store.

With a zero emissions vehicle that runs on any fuel you provide, you can save money, go green, and stay fit.

You don’t have to pay insurance, the maintenance is minimal, and you’ll be the talk of the town with one of these vehicles in your garage.

Zero Emissions Machine 4 Cycle

A sassy-looking machine from Zurich, Switzerland…

Pedal-Powered Car Case Laughed Out of Court

Philip Proefrock — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:06:40 +0000

The driver of an engine-less, pedal-powered 1986 Buick Regal who, last October, was stopped on the street by Toronto Police for “operating an unsafe vehicle” had the charges against him dropped and the case laughed out of court.

The Aquaduct: Winner of the Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine Contest

Pem Charnley — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:23:58 +0000

This story contains additional media. Click here to view the media.

Winner of the Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine Contest.

For more details:

Innovate or Die

Original Promo for Competition
Image: Whymcycles

Good old American ingenuity would not be dead.
Image: David Cushing

Pedal power would be our primary means of transportation.
Image: Whymcycles

We would remember the good ol’ days of the 20th century SUV, nostalgically making new ones to run on just human power.

Image: Whymcycles

Even quite large vehicles could be hand-rolled across our encroaching deserts, moving toddlers and the ancient along comfortably in a Ferris Wheel type of arrangement like this design from the 2009 Burning Man.

Image: Princess Diablo

Improvising ways to keep off the sun would be important, while staying cool. Textile production was possible in ancient Egypt, so we’d find the old ways again.
Image: Flikr user Princess Diablo

But all would not be gritty and serious. We would commemorate species that had become extinct in the 20th and 21st centuries; in whimsical designs like this.
Image: Waldemar Horwa

We might surprise our 21st century selves with our ingenuity in making such low tech scraped-together contraptions. Using simple techniques they might even be able to…
Image: Waldemar Horwa

…light up at night.
Image: Avi Ostfeld

My favorite would be this one. The elegant proportions are so reminiscent of that ancient 21st century French EV - Venturi’s Eclectic. The first off-the-drawing-board version. You remember it.

Source: Flikr Burning Man Mutant Vehicles