A couple of recent conversations have got me thinking. It involves the integration of two separate cycling topics.
- Firstly, in Denmark (arguably the cycling capital of the world) one of the big trends in recent years has been cargo bikes. These are very popular with young families and are considered 'cool'.
- Secondly, our compulsory helmet laws only apply to bicycles (two wheels) and not to cycles with one, three or more wheels.
So the thought hit me that those of us who would like to legally choose when to wear a helmet while cycling might be able to somehow wiggle through this gap in our fickle helmet law.
I quickly dismissed the unicycle option and placed it in the 'too hard basket' and moved on to the tricycle option. This raises the question "what is the legal definition of a tricycle"? Is there one? Well obviously a tricycle requires three wheels but how big does the third wheel have to be? Does it even need to touch the ground? I am presuming that it has to be an integral part of the vehicle and not simply a 'bolt on'. Ideas anyone?
Of the dictionary definitions I have unearthed most identify a tricycle (or trike) as "a vehicle with three wheels" and not much more. They can be powered with your feet or hands, or a motor. Three wheeled cycles fall into categories such as cargo bike (two wheels at front), and rickshaw or pedicab, recumbent and classic tricycle (two wheels at back). I have pretty much discounted pedicabs and recumbents as I think I would have trouble getting them in my apartment lift. But there are distinct possibilities with tricycles and cargo bikes.
In NZ tricycles have a bad rap as vehicles for the disabled but realistically the only difference that I can see from cargo bikes is the position of the twin wheels ... so, tricycles are available in NZ but, the million dollar question is, "is it possible to make a tricycle cool?" Three wheeled cargo bikes are not available in NZ (as far as I know) so the questions there are "how hard can it be to put the wheels on the front?" and "can we start a cargo bike trend in NZ?"
We even have a company that makes tricycles in NZ - I wonder whether they would be interested in becoming 'cool' and positioning themselves in the front row for the next big cycling trend on this side of the globe?
It's just a thought .....
I'm the owner of one of two cargo trikes in Chch that I'm aware of, so you can consider the trend already started:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/malclocke/3412542039/
I think the "Gilbert" made by Trikes NZ looks pretty cool. And any old man on a bike or trike classifies as pretty awesome in my books.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I'll have a DIY trike project underway shortly... It'd be so useful!
Two question and two comments:
ReplyDeleteWhy are transport modes in NZ generally divided into 'ones with wheels' and 'ones with none', rather than the Dutch 'hard traffic' and 'soft traffic'? The latter is far more humane and pragmatic.
If using a bike in NZ is 'dangerous' that is down to a lack of basic government provision for bicyclists. The Netherlands, Denmark and Japan have made it very clear how incredibly safe it is possible to make getting around town by bike. Danger is a totally due to failure of the government's duty of care towards bicyclists, not a failure of bicycle users themselves. So why the helmets?
Cheers,
Adam
@Malc - you can officially be the originator of this trend when it sweeps across the country - well done! I think we're really on to something here, I can't wait to get my hands on a 3 wheeler! Yours is a beauty BTW.
ReplyDelete@Rowan - yes I agree, this chap is particularly dapper to boot! Please let us know what you come up with from your 'project' - I'm interested in pushing the boundary's of 'tricycle'!
@ Adam - what can I say - tell me about it!!
I saw this lady doing her shopping at a New World in Wellington with her trike from that shop. :)
ReplyDeletePeople are still hounding cyclist for legally riding two abreast so it'll take a while longer for them to get over the shock of the loophole that is helmets-only-apply-to-two-wheels
Did you know you can apply for an exemption to the wrong-headed helmet regulation? Info here: http://cyclinghealth.org.nz/exemptions.html
ReplyDelete@ Patrick - yes I could, but given that in Auckland it's only the occasional busybody that pays any attention to whether or not you are wearing a helmet, it seems a lot of trouble for nothing. Besides, my tricycle idea is so much more creative and fun - it gives me hours of mental entertainment figuring what it might look like and how I will get a tricycle into my very small apartment lift.
ReplyDeleteBike (2 wheels) + trailer (1 wheel) = trike (no helmet :-))
ReplyDelete@ Ross - I'm not sure about that. I think they would have to be welded together to count - but hey I'm no expert! My plan is to try out the tricycle idea, I've measured the lift in my building and the hunt is on ... my biggest problem is going to be finding a policeman to flaunt myself in front of.
ReplyDeleteI have the perfect solution! I posted a comment on http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/2010/07/08/this-is-amsterdam-and-this-is-my-bike/ and have had a very helpful suggestion from Henry. He has identified a cargo bike that ticks all the boxes for me Feetz http://www.feetz.nl/. This is a cargo bike (cool) with three wheels (no helmet) and folds to fit in my lift (compact). It has the added benefit of being easy to store and can also go around the supermarket!
ReplyDeleteI have contacted the company for price, shipping etc. and if the response is favourable, I will do a post to see if anyone else is interested in getting one.
Fingers crossed!!
The original and quality Cargo Bike brand from the Netherlands, called "Bakfiets", are now available in Oceania directly from stock. Have a look at www.dutchcargobike.com.au for the Dutch Cargo Bike, Dutch Cargo Trike and family tandems. Proven design, buttery rides !
ReplyDeleteChristiania Bikes cargo trikes now available from Crank Cargo based in Wellington. We are shipping nationwide. Check out www.crankcargo.co.nz.
ReplyDelete