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Quadricycle

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Image:Quadricycle.JPG

Quadricycle (also spelled quadracycle or quadrocycle) is a four-wheeled human-powered vehicle.

1 History
2 Modern Quadricycles
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

The earliest recorded pedal-powered quadricycle was exhibited 1853 at the Crystal Palace Exhibition held in New York [1]. This was about the same time that two-wheeled bicycles started to become popular. Quadricycles were one solution to the problem of low-speed stability in early cycles and were typically multi-seat models (as seen in the picture). Both tandem (in line, as depicted) and sociable (side-by-side) seating configurations were used.

Historically the most common layout was with the wheels placed at the corners of a rectangle. An alternative layout was when wheels were placed at the angles of a rhombus (or, more generally, at the angles of a geometric kite). The rhombus layout was not very convenient, because such vehicles were less stable and left three tracks instead of two.

The first experimental steam cars were sometimes called steam quadricycles, and a few very early internal combustion cars were called motor quadricycles. The terms automobile and car rapidly became universal, supplanting this usage.

[edit] Modern Quadricycles

Quadricycle use diminished in the late 1800s as a result of improvements in bicycle technology that made their four wheel cousins largely obsolete, although small numbers were manufactured through the 1950s for rental use in tourist areas. During the 1970s and 1980s there was a resurgence of interest in these vehicles as personal transportation, driven by the 1973 oil crisis, environmental concerns about automobiles and the search for emission-free alternatives.

Modern quadricycles can be generally placed in five categories.

[edit] Tourist destination rental quadricycles

One common place to find quadricycles is at tourist attractions where these are available to rent by the hour or day. Modern tourist quadricycles usually feature open seating for two or more riders in a sociable configuration. These vehicles are often designed to look like early 20th century automobiles with a bench seat, rack-and-pinion steering and canopy top. These are commonly referred to as surreys, due to their resemblance to horse-drawn wagons of similar appearance and the same name.

Examples of this type include International Surrey Company products [2]. More futuristic rental designs are produced by companies such as Quadricycle International of Montreal [3]

[edit] Pedal taxi quadricycles

Similar to the surrey are pedal taxis or pedal cabs. These tend to be four or even six seaters and are used as taxis, pedalled by professional drivers. Like the rental surreys, they are often found at tourist attractions and in the downtown areas of tourist destination cities.

Also like the rental surreys, pedal taxis are often constructed to resemble early 20th century cars and often feature awning coverings for sun protection.

An example of this type is the Quadracycle Inc QuadraCab [4].

[edit] Touring quadricycles

Touring quadricycles are constructed specifically for the personal ownership market and are built to be lighter and faster than rental surreys. Typically they seat one person or two people in side-by-side seating and feature independent pedaling and gear selection. They can have up to 36 gears, giving them remarkable hill-climbing capabilities. These touring quadricycles are used for long distance travel as well as local use; some are used for cycle-commuting to work[5].

While heavier and slower than touring or hybrid bicycles, touring quadricycles are more comfortable to ride, can navigate steeper hills more easily and can carry a much heavier load than a bicycle, even when the bicycle is equipped with a trailer.

Examples of this type of vehicle include the Lightfoot Duo [6], the Quadracycle International Little Deuce Coupe [7], the Quadracycle Inc QuadraSport [8] and the Rhoades Car 4W1P single seater [9] and 4W2PCP two seater coupe [10]

There are also plans for and amateur-designed touring quadricycles made by combining two bicycles. These designs have had varying degrees of success.[11] [12]

[edit] Mountain quadricycles

Some quadricycles are designed to be the four-wheel counterparts of mountain bicycles and are optimised for strength and the ability to deal with steep and rough terrain. These quadricycles are all single seat designs.

An example of this type is the now discontinued Crank-It Mountain Quad [13]

[edit] Industrial use

There are quadricycles designed for local delivery of goods, such as spare parts in a factory environment or laundry at spread-out hotel complexes. These quadricycles may have two seats and a pickup box or flat bed to allow loads to be transported. They are also capable of pulling small trailers.

Some quadricycles in this category have also been designed for military applications, such as light logistics transport.

Examples of this type of quadricycle are the, the Rhoades Car 4W2PLF [14] and Rhoades Car Go Boy [15].