Among all types of personal and public transport, the most environmentally friendly is a rickshaw. It does not require fuel - just a person who will pedal. It does not harm the atmosphere and rarely gets into accidents, because it moves at the speed of a bicycle. A rickshaw can simultaneously carry several passengers, help in transporting cargo.
Description and some history
Today in Western countries it is customary to call a rickshaw in the more correct term - "bicycle taxi". It belongs to public transport. In fact, a rickshaw is special design on a bicycle base, the power of which is 1 human power. We are talking about a man who sits behind the wheel, pedals. Thanks to his efforts, the bicycle taxi is moving forward.
Rickshaws appeared in Asia long before the invention of the bicycle. A chariot man ran along the road, dragging a cart with a passenger. Bicycle rickshaws first appeared in Japan, and from there the idea went to other Asian countries.
Half a century ago, rickshaws filled the city streets of Europe and America. There they have special hopes and plans - rickshaws on a bicycle traction serve as entertainment for tourists. So, rickshaws are incredibly popular among visitors to the central part of New York, Washington, and London. Several years ago, bicycle taxis appeared in both Russian capitals. In Moscow, rickshaws drive along Pushkinskaya Square, and in St. Petersburg along Palace Palace.
Each country that has welcomed rickshaws in its homeland has contributed something of its own to them.. And therefore, the designs of Asian models are significantly different from European or Russian rickshaws. For example, in Western countries they love three-wheeled bicycle taxis.In them, the driver is in front, and 2-3 passengers are behind him. Such wagons are open and closed roof. But inventive Vietnamese prefer to show guests the country "face". For this, the driver is transplanted behind the passengers, and he “pushes” them in front of him. Two wheels in Vietnamese rickshaws are located under the passenger part, and one - under the driver’s.
In Mongolia and China, four-wheeled rickshaws are often found.
The Russians joined the release of such vehicles only about a decade ago. The first domestic rickshaws came from the lines of the Armavir plant in the Krasnodar Territory. It was the Russians who came up with a way to reduce the load on the driver. They proposed the installation of solar panels so that the energy would provide the movement of an electric motor. The driver does not need to pedal frantically, he can enjoy the ride and monitor the direction of movement. Two years ago, the Russian idea found support from Chinese experts, and the Celestial Empire began mass production of solar panels for rickshaw bicycles.
After the appearance of the electric rickshaw, new ideas began to arise on the use of an unusual means of transportation. For example, this year, rickshaws for transporting ice cream, lemonade, rickshaw bars for resort towns, as well as kiosks moving around the city for bicycle sales were presented.
Where to buy and how much?
A rickshaw is suitable for families in the city. On it, children, together with their parents, can go for a walk in the park or the city center. But the roads should be fairly smooth: rickshaws do not tolerate bumps and pits. Some models can overcome small obstacles, but they are not ready for rough terrain and frank off-road. Passenger rickshaws are cheaper and more affordable than devices with thermal capacities. If the bicycle taxi is equipped with an ice cream fridge, then its cost increases exactly by the price of the refrigerator.
A bicycle rickshaw for transporting goods can be equipped with a wheelchair basket both in front and in the back. The same approach is taken in the production of passenger models - the cost of such a rickshaw of Russian production starts from 31 thousand rubles. The cost of vehicles with refrigerators is from 51 to 99 thousand rubles. There are models stylized as old carriages, they cost about 95 thousand rubles.
How to make?
If a rickshaw with a motor is like, but its cost is not, then you can try to make such a transport with your own hands from an ordinary bicycle. To do this, you need imagination, skilled hands and the necessary materials
- strong multilayer plywood;
- tools for working on metal;
- bicycle transmission;
- device for grinding corners;
- several pieces of durable faux leather;
- bicycle wheels - 3 pieces;
- metal pipe;
- fasteners;
- apparatus for welding;
- a little foam.
First of all, craftsmen are advised to determine the design. If your idea draws an image of a rickshaw with a driver's seat in the rear, then you should raise the saddle higher so that you can clearly see the road on top of passengers. Create a drawing or select a finished one.
Use colored lines to mark the sequence of actions on paper so as not to get confused.
Further, the algorithm of actions will be as follows.
- Cook the frame. The design of the frame of the rickshaw is simple and reliable, it fully corresponds to the frame of the usual children's “tricycle”, but it should turn out several times stronger. She will have to withstand more tangible loads.
- We fix the transmission. When installing this moving part, it is important not to forget about the sprocket on the main wheel. The chain is simply put on, pedals are attached. At this stage, it is important not to forget to lubricate the chain and sprocket.
- Install the steering wheel. The process is no different from installing a steering on a regular bike.
- We make a seat and an awning. The seat for passengers is made of multilayer plywood. After the foam layer, a layer of artificial leather is laid and fastened. The canopy can be made of fabric.
All fasteners, bolts and nuts must be tightened at the final stage when everything is ready.
Even a home-made cycle rickshaw will help to organize leisure activities for children, facilitate travel around the city for the disabled and the elderly. If desired, the rickshaw will become a source of income - you can install an advertising structure on it or deliver courier packages to it.
For a warm and dry season, this type of transport will become a reliable assistant and comrade in solving a variety of everyday problems. But in winter, a rickshaw will have to hide or go the other way - come up with the design of a winter bicycle taxi, but no one has created it yet. Initiative craftsmen and inventors have something to think about.
See how to make your own rickshaw with your own hands in the next video.
