HowStuffWorks "Working Models"

The Hyanide"


When the driver turns the steering handle to the left, the front part of the tread angles to the left. Pushing back the left foot control will simultaneously turn the back segment of the tread as well, giving the Hyanide a very sharp turning radius. Meanwhile, the tread is constantly driving in the direction of the turn, so it always maintains maximum traction.

2008 HowStuffWorks
A motorcycle, an ATV and a snowmobile each have very distinct functions. But what if you could combine them in one vehicle? Enter the Hyanide.

The driver implements the hand-and-foot steering system with two handles for his hands and two special footrests that accommodate custom-made shoes. A passenger can ride directly behind the driver, just like on a motorcycle.

Innovative ideas for the wheel of life

Innovative ideas for the wheel of life

Planning for October 24th. Three-Fifty Day

Here's what we know.

On October 24th, RIT is going to host the 350 Climate Action Festival, a series of events related to "the most important number on earth: 350" (parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere).

One of the events will be a mass bike ride along the path of the future RochesterGreenway with bikers converging from downtown, U of R, MCC, and other places else, to arrive at the Sentinel at noon.

Another event will be a Rochester Bike Summit, in the Center for Student Innovation, at 2:00pm. The goal:

• to discuss a number of emerging and potential regional initiatives that could make Rochester New York a world center of Biking and Transportation innovation,
• the Rochester Greenway (of course)
• the prospect that we might develop a fleet of ultralight electric vehicles to ride (along with bikes) on the Greenway
• the proposed annual 6-day Tour de New York
• the City's development of a Master Bicycling Plan
• plans for proposed and under-construction bike paths
• the possibility that the world's leading museum of bicycle history might be brought to Rochester (or, alternatively, be lost to Western New York)
• the development of an online interactive bicycle map
• bringing the Bicycle Film Festival to Rochester


• to identify and discuss shared interests and opportunities that overlap these various initiatives and their supporters
• making biking safer
• interconnecting the region's extraordinary network of biking trails
• making Rochester a world capital of biking and sustainable transportation innovation

How you can help. Email Jon.Schull @ RIT.edu

• Let us know if you are willing to help plan and organize.
• Let us know if you are planning to ride.
• Get others to do the same

GreenwaytoHighFalls

GreenwaytoHighFalls

There is a most excellent way to ride from the Greenway to High Falls, over the Clinton Street elevated bikeway (who knew?), to Main and South, and up to the West Side of High Falls, with some interesting urban sights along the way.

By riding on the over-wide under-used sidewalks, you are never in traffic. These over-wide under-used sidewalks could easily be turned into dedicated bike lanes, with dedicated pedestrian walkways on the other side of each street.

These photos were taken with my iphone and a great little app for making panoramas, called Stitch).

The Recumbent Blog � Blog Archive � World’s Longest Bicycle Tunnel Opens…

The Recumbent Blog Blog Archive

World’s Longest Bicycle Tunnel Opens…:

WORLD’S LONGEST BICYCLE TUNNEL OPENS…

These folks take bike transportation seriously… very seriously! Seriously enough to spend $3.7 million dollars to convert a railway tunnel for cyclists, add security cameras, install a public address system…

As Copenhagenize.com adds:

“Amazing that a city of this size is willing to invest in such remarkable bicycle projects when larger cities elsewhere have trouble painting bicycle lanes. Spain has hardly enjoyed status as a bicycle-friendly country in the past”

Details and photos at Copenhagenize.com →

Possible designs | mini-farthing

Possible designs | mini-farthing

Mini-farthing highways

Suspended, covered mini-farthing highways in cities could allow people to move around quickly and independently in comfort. Much cheaper than subways and light enough to be suspended over existing roads and infrastructure. Easy to carry mini-farthing up or down stairs to get on and off. This may be a solution to the last mile for sustainable cities that want their citizens to have freedom to have freedom to move about in a safe, fast and environmentally friendly way.