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You could get most of those things using an electric cargo bike with a canopy roof/windscreen. It wouldn't solve the Fred Flintstone problem — The Man must pro

You could get most of those things using an electric cargo bike with a canopy roof/windscreen. It wouldn't solve the Fred Flintstone problem — The Man must provide the propulsion for all of his family because Man — but that's a social hurdle, not a technical one.

clarry 8y ago
I don't think it's roof or windscreen, it's both if you want to stay dry. That's a big increase in size, mass, and wind resistance (including susceptibility to side winds that can tip you over). That might have you consider having more than two wheels for stability, and windshield wipers, and a big battery to haul all that... at some point, we'll be wondering whether it's a car with pedals or a bike? https://www.daimler.com/company/tradition/company-history/1885-1886.html https://www.daimler.com/company/tradition/company-history/18...
- adrianN 8y ago
  You can build electric cars that are traditional two ton vehicles or you could build electric "cars" that weigh 95% less but still protect you from the elements. Like the PodRide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xgpOBrEp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xgpOBrEp4
JabavuAdams 8y ago
You must live somewhere warm. I'm getting sad just thinking of my winter commute. Winter is coming. Bleargh. Wait, there's magic bubble of warmth and comfort that will take me to my destination without having to mill around with the other cold yet sweaty 99% Chimpanzees in their puffy insulated layers? Sold!
- gregknicholson 8y ago
  > You must live somewhere warm. Not especially :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester#Climate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester#Climate > Wait, there's magic bubble of warmth and comfort that will take me to my destination without having to mill around with the other cold yet sweaty 99% Chimpanzees in their puffy insulated layers? Sold! A lot of people don't actually seem to be sold on this, though. They seem aggrieved when it isn't also faster than walking, cycling and public transport, because they've been sold a top speed. In the local news this week: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/night-manchester-ground-halt-15324465 https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manches... But a car takes up several times more area on the ground, compared to the same number of people walking or using wheelchairs, bicycles or buses — there just isn't room for every individual to have that level of luxury and leave room to move at speed. I found this essay insightful: http://unevenearth.org/2018/08/the-social-ideology-of-the-motorcar/ http://unevenearth.org/2018/08/the-social-ideology-of-the-mo... — via https://www.notechmagazine.com/2018/08/no-tech-reader-19.html https://www.notechmagazine.com/2018/08/no-tech-reader-19.htm...
tonyedgecombe 8y ago
Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037CAW4Yeug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037CAW4Yeug

clarry 8y ago

I don't think it's roof or windscreen, it's both if you want to stay dry. That's a big increase in size, mass, and wind resistance (including susceptibility to side winds that can tip you over). That might have you consider having more than two wheels for stability, and windshield wipers, and a big battery to haul all that... at some point, we'll be wondering whether it's a car with pedals or a bike? https://www.daimler.com/company/tradition/company-history/1885-1886.html https://www.daimler.com/company/tradition/company-history/18...

adrianN 8y ago
You can build electric cars that are traditional two ton vehicles or you could build electric "cars" that weigh 95% less but still protect you from the elements. Like the PodRide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xgpOBrEp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xgpOBrEp4

JabavuAdams 8y ago

You must live somewhere warm. I'm getting sad just thinking of my winter commute. Winter is coming. Bleargh. Wait, there's magic bubble of warmth and comfort that will take me to my destination without having to mill around with the other cold yet sweaty 99% Chimpanzees in their puffy insulated layers? Sold!

gregknicholson 8y ago
> You must live somewhere warm. Not especially :) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester#Climate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester#Climate > Wait, there's magic bubble of warmth and comfort that will take me to my destination without having to mill around with the other cold yet sweaty 99% Chimpanzees in their puffy insulated layers? Sold! A lot of people don't actually seem to be sold on this, though. They seem aggrieved when it isn't also faster than walking, cycling and public transport, because they've been sold a top speed. In the local news this week: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/night-manchester-ground-halt-15324465 https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manches... But a car takes up several times more area on the ground, compared to the same number of people walking or using wheelchairs, bicycles or buses — there just isn't room for every individual to have that level of luxury and leave room to move at speed. I found this essay insightful: http://unevenearth.org/2018/08/the-social-ideology-of-the-motorcar/ http://unevenearth.org/2018/08/the-social-ideology-of-the-mo... — via https://www.notechmagazine.com/2018/08/no-tech-reader-19.html https://www.notechmagazine.com/2018/08/no-tech-reader-19.htm...

tonyedgecombe 8y ago

Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037CAW4Yeug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037CAW4Yeug