As fuel prices shoot up people are starting to wake up from their gasoline-induced life styles.

HUMAN POWERED VEHICHELS, using only muscle power, are much easier to use than most people think. Modern geared cycles are the most efficient transportation machines ever devised. In terms of energy input per mile nothing else comes close. I burn only about 500 to 800 calories to ride my trike 10 miles round trip with a combined weight of 450 pounds. Most Americans eat more calories than that for breakfast.

VELOMOBILE pedal cars invented by Charles Mochet (mochet.org) in the 1930’s as affordable transportation in France had four wheels. When they made a recumbent bike that threatened to change the face of racing, they were banned from racing! That and the love affair with fast cars and cheap fuel helped them lose popularity until the 1970’s when they started setting world class track records to win money. The world record for an aerodynamic HPV is over 80mph now.

TRICYCLES are much easier to haul cargo with than bikes because of the slow speed balance problems when climbing hills. Even if you have a good trailer, balancing perched on top of two wheels can be a real work out.

The Ultimate trike would lean into the turns like a bike. With low lateral stress it could use big wheels which would give a safer more visible height. A fairing big enough to keep the rain off should be essential. (www.tripendo.com)

With a fairing and an electric motor to help us lazy Americans up the hills, I believe these machines will become a viable alternative to driving gas gulping SUV’s around a town that doesn’t have enough room for them anyways.

If you think these trikes are too expensive, do the math on your car! (Purchase, maitenance, insurance, fuel and environmental damage) $1000 a month is not unusual, even with out enviromental damage and the cost of warto keep the "black gold" flowing.

WALKING may not be the most efficient use of leg muscle but it is the least harmful to our thin biosphere. And walking helps align the spine; it is simply the best form of exercise, and the best way to burn fat. Not that obesity will be a problem if sugar and fat are going to be used for Biofuels. I predict that walking with carts that have pneumatic tires will be very popular for shopping; and running will be faster than ever with spring-loaded boots (powerskip.de).
Commuting on the bus is difficult to find room for a bike even if it fits the racks (41" wheel base). folding bikes are the way to go.

More details : DoubleyooDoubleyooDoubleyoo.funnyfarmart.com/consumerreport.htm (how to build the ultimate touring bike, ergonomics, wheels, tires, gear estimation, history...every thing you wanted to know but didn't know to ask).
RESORCES FOR CYCLES: ...bikesatwork.com (trailers & 'car free'info).... bilenky.com(cargo bikes)... workcycles.com... lightfootcycles.com (utility bikes, trikes, velomobiles,)… cycletote.com (trailers)...cyclesmaximus.com (utility trikes)... organicengines.com/S.U.V. (utility trike)...