The Pedal Bus
Post categories: Staff blog
| 11:41 UK time, Friday, 22 July 2011
You may have heard of the London cycle scheme, which is designed to be environmentally friendly and has been used by millions of people in London. But have you heard of the Pedal Bus? According to the Evening Standard The London Pedal Bus is the latest and most sociable way to travel.
What does it look like?
It's made from a platform on four tyres, four bike seats with pedals on each side and in the middle is the driver who controls the directions. Unlike a traditional bus it's open-air and feels like you are riding a bike.
The reason why it is called the Pedal Bus is because every passenger has to pedal to keep the bus going. There is no petrol or electricity used; instead it's manpower, or foot power to be exact.
You need to be physically strong to do the pedalling and it can be good exercise. The fun thing is the way the seats are laid out - passengers sit around a bar while wine and beer is poured for them to enjoy as they travel, but not the driver though.
Well some people may say what about rain? What about the speed of travel? Well both are concerns for the sceptic.
Would I want to try one soon? Yes definitely, provided it's a sunny day.
This new invention, the Pedal Bus is the brainchild of 38-year-old Luke Roberson. "I was inspired by the multi-person bicycle," he says. "But I wanted to make one that was sturdier and better suited to parties and events." Hiring a Pedal Bus has become a trend among corporate clients as a way of team building.
It's fun for some but you should be careful if you are not physically fit enough for that that kind of activity.
If you were to design an eco- product, what would that be?
Till next time
Yang Li
Comment number 1.
At 12:54 22nd Jul 2011, Les wrote:Hi Li!
It’s so nice to ‘meet’ :) you too! I’ve only listened to you in «The English We Speak» so far. Now, I’m happy to see you!
I haven’t heard of such buses before, but have googled and found some photos. Quite a funny means of transport! It would be nice to try it but, yes, on a sunny day and not with a short dress on :).
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Comment number 2.
At 16:38 22nd Jul 2011, Naheed wrote:Welcome dear Li,
As Les said, I am also very glad to see you and like your blogpost.
Your description of the pedal bus sounds very interesting and I would like to try one too.
Will be looking forward to reading more from you in the future.
Best,
Naheed
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Comment number 3.
At 18:05 22nd Jul 2011, ALFONSO wrote:Hi Li,
Nice to meet you.
I haven´t heard about such type of transportation.In my country and for the first time, Medellin,one of the biggest cities,located in the middle of the mountains,folks are working in a new environmentally and friendly or " green " individual transport system but only with bikes.I´m not sure, but as far as I know it must be running now.It will have defined routes and the user would take the bike in one station and drop off in other, so you can drive to your job,go to the mall or your classes in the university for free.Not alcohol,beer or wine allowed so you´ll never face up the music caused by a DUI ticket:)
All the best.
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Comment number 4.
At 18:06 22nd Jul 2011, bilalunal wrote:hi Li nice to meet you.I want to imrove my english.but I don't know how to get more better.I study İzmir instute of technology and its medium of instruction is english.so I have to use english effectively.If you help me I will be satisfied.your suggestion is very significant for me.I am looking forward to your suggestion.thanks for everything
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Comment number 5.
At 04:42 23rd Jul 2011, beautiful_mind wrote:Hi,Li
I really appreciate these new invention which are designed to help in transportation without affecting our lovely earth badly. We have been suffering from the pollution emitted from traditional cars,buses,motorbikes,......etc.on the other hand i am not sure the pedal bus is a practical transportation ,it can be used only in parks on holidays as an entertainment for a group of friends or family members. In addition, pedal bus will require much effort to be exerted which will minimize the passengers who can fit with it.
Best regards.
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Comment number 6.
At 07:44 23rd Jul 2011, wangmei wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 7.
At 09:58 23rd Jul 2011, ingu wrote:It is really brainchild.
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Comment number 8.
At 18:27 23rd Jul 2011, didi wrote:Hi Li nice to meet yuo:)
I think pedal bus is a goog idea but when travel is very long is necessary a car.
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Comment number 9.
At 07:55 25th Jul 2011, osama wrote:hi li I glad to meet you
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Comment number 10.
At 15:34 25th Jul 2011, hero26 wrote:hi li,
pedal bus is very popular in overcrowded cities espacially in Asia ,popular because ıts provıde an easy way to wander besides you could make exercises..i assume istanbul will need this vehicles sooner due to ıts traffic jam.it will bring a very simple but effective solıtıon to our traffic problem.
if i were to desing a eco product ,it would be a system of reducıng watchıng tv.To me it is a time killer and takes peoples creativity .because tv presents everything ready to us .......
ali..türkiye
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Comment number 11.
At 11:33 26th Jul 2011, Pary wrote:Hi Li , Nice to meet you . Are you Yang Li , in BBC prog ( mp3 for download ) ? it was nice to know about Pedal bus . Thank you and hope to see more Blogs from you
have a nice time and bye
Pary from Iran
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Comment number 12.
At 15:03 26th Jul 2011, Joaze wrote:Hi Li, Nice to meet you. Why didn't you upload pics of "Pedal bus". Now I'm curious about it. I would like to know how it look like. Have a great week.
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Comment number 13.
At 02:55 27th Jul 2011, AndreJardim wrote:I would design a sort of short distance telephone that could be linked by threads like in the past, but only for short distances like helpline or things like that lol
Great pedal bus, when I return to London ill try it.
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Comment number 14.
At 13:15 27th Jul 2011, Victor_Petrovsky wrote:Hello li
I have some ideas about eco-transportations.
We can build slopes from skyscrapers in different directions. We can take snowboard- cab (snowboard for four o more people) or use individual board to get to other skyscraper and so on.
I guess we can use skateboard instead snowboard in the same way. Skateboard must be fitted with generator and storage battery. Till you going down the battery is charging. When you’ll reach horizontal road you can use electric engine.
Other idea is using dirigible as offices. Flying office must circulate around the city so your work place comes to you. Pedal dirigibles for ten people could be used as a taxi.
In narrow streets of old cities we can use multilayered stilts.
Good luck
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