Tag: trike

August 29th – Never seen anything quite like this before. I was taking a lunchtime ride into Birmingham, and headed across Sutton Park to hit the Plants Brook cycleway into the city. At town gate, I came upon this curious, 3 wheeled chariot.

I’m assuming it’s electric, and it bears no registration (it occurs there could be a plate on the tailgate, which is down in the photos), although looking very moped-like with indicators and mirrors. It’s parked in a disabled bay, and from the design and rear door that doubles as a ramp, it’s clear that a normal wheelchair is propelled onto it, and the vehicle piloted using the moped-style handlebars without leaving the wheelchair.

Looks fun, actually. Never seen one before.

August 21st – Other people’s bikes. In Lichfield for an early meeting, I took lunch and cycled home after a mooch around town. The town – despite the arrival of Debenhams – still seems to have a lot of empty retail space, and many of the shops I used to pass time in have now gone – the bookshop, Jessops, the Sony Centre. It’s quite sad.

Different from Brum, there’s more of a utility cycling vibe in Lichfield than the big city. I see a lot of older folk on Pashleys or cheaper imitations, and there are many odd hybrids of multiple flavours. I noted this great trike – is that a saddle or a sofa? I took an interest in the Dawes Streetwise – an odd mongrel design of a bike. Partially lugged, part welded frame, roller hub brake on the rear, V-brake on the front. Nexus hub gears. They are heavy, basic city commuter bikes – but this one is clearly loved and very well used.

Most of the bike space around the retail areas was full. This is impressive.

May 7th – On the subject of other people’s bikes, just when did children’s trikes evolve into bonkers apparatus like this? It requires a HGV license to push, I’ll bet.

These things seem to be following the same trajectory as baby buggies; once a small thing born of convenience and fun, they’re now hugely complicated pieces of kit that don’t seem to fit anywhere easily.

Evolution, in reverse.

February 21st – Running late for my connection, I piled it through the city centre in the morning, and saw two of these curious advertising trikes parked up advertising Thinktank. They look hand built, but not terribly well cared for. Primitive disc brakes on the back, and small wheels with an absurdly low gear ratio. Must make for an… interesting riding experience.

Certainly wouldn’t fancy piloting one in a crosswind.

November 24th – Spotted this odd scooter today parked up in Telford near the office blocks by the railway station. I’ve not seen anything like it before, and don’t recognise the logo, but then, I’m not a motorcyclist. I have no idea why this scooter has been designed this way – cornering must be really odd. I studied it for quite some time, but am still none the wiser. Anyone have any ideas?