rousseau

Not exactly car-free, but kinda...check out the whacky Flintstone-esque pedal-powered car some artists in Toronto put together.

Four Person Pedal Car Pulled Over by Police

What would the legality of this type of vehicle be in Canada? And note the non-confrontational, laid-back interaction between cops and civilians (by contrast with American police--not trying to get a dig in, I'm just sayin').

cerewa

From what I've seen, places in Canada and the USA usually consider anything with more than 3 wheels as not being a legal "bicycle." I think some areas may also limit "bicycles" to having two riders.

Some places have a "neighborhood electric vehicle" classification, but I doubt a non-electric pedal-power vehicle can be classified as an NEV.

jcwitte

Are you kidding? I don't know which American Police you've dealt with (you're from Southern Ontario?) but that's amusing.

Roody

Among Michiganders, the OPP has a pretty fearsome reputation.

rousseau

I've been stopped for speeding in the U.S. a couple of times. American cops are comparatively uptight and under a lot of strain because they never know if the yahoo in the car has a gun or not. This is not an issue in Canada.

What would be so "fearsome" about the OPP, I wonder? One difference between Michigan and Ontario is that we drive faster here. I once got a ticket on a rural stretch of a limited-access highway going north in Michigan where the limit was 70 mph--I was going 78 (that's about 125 km/h). In Ontario the ostensible speed limit on the 401 is 100 km/h, but the slow lane goes 110, the middle lane 120 and the fast lane 130. If it's busy, of course. You will probably get a ticket if traffic is light, the OPP are present, and you are going over 130.

If traffic is heavy, you will be subject to much wrath and flashing headlights from other drivers if you go less than 130 in the fast lane.

syn0n

That thing is awesome, but I can see why they don't want it on the roads. The brakes seemed mediocre and it looked pretty slow through those intersections, thus all of the horns, etc. Still, a nifty machine nonetheless.

StephenH

Normal laws just aren't made for something like this. It wouldn't be too surprising if it was ruled to be a bicycle if it actually got into court.

One problem is using a car to start with. Had they started with bike frames and built a car-appearing cover over it, it would be more likely to get accepted as a bicycle.

jcwitte

You can't make a comparison between OPP and american police based on this video. The Police in this video are pulling over a bicycle/car/art vehicle. That sort of traffic stop would have any police officer dropping his uptightness and appearing "non-confrontational".

gosmsgo

Hopefully your latest trip to the USA will be your last.

They were probably uptight because they assumed you had pot in your car since you had canadian plates.

syn0n

I think because it has the original car chassis, even in a modified state, it would be considered a car regardless.

heywood

It's a really great piece of art. A good comment on car culture and what actually constitutes a vehicle but I can really see a problem with this quadricycle(??) being on public roads from an insurance standpoint. The cop said his ass would be on the line if he let it go and an accident occured. I think he handled the situation really well, I also liked all the Toronto bike cops stopping to have a look (where they all going or coming off shift?). These kids seem to be really good techies/engineers to get a vehicle that heavy converted to pedal power they should look into vehicle design or some kind of engineering as a career.

heywood

Oh yea, i've never had a problem with most Canadian or American or British police. Maybe on or two *******s every now and then (probably having a crappy day), but 99% of them are pretty professional and friendly. Now security guards!! They sometimes really get my goat!

Cheers!

lyeinyoureye

Maybe I'm just blind, but I didn't see any seatbelts. There're probably a whole bunch of other regs out there too... I'm not saying that the concept isn't illegal, but based on the setup, something probably is.

cerewa

If it qualified as a bicycle, which it doesn't, seatbelts would be unnecessary.

Maybe license plates, inspection, insurance, electric turn signals, seatbelts, would turn it into a legal car?

Sir Bikesalot

Great idea, great engineering, but too damn heavy a chassis. Given an all carbon fiber body, efficient drivetrain and 4 Lance-types, it could probably make 20+ mph. Any type of incline would kill it though.

I_bRAD

Nah, they always seem to travel in packs.

I_bRAD

haha. Officer dude! Don't be so stressed! *'ere*

maddyfish

In 1989 a canadian cop pulled over a tour bus I was on and beat the cr#p out of our bus driver. So Americans have no monoploy on bad cops.

But in general the canadian people are more docile and easily controlled than americans, so maybe the cops are easier going there.

Bikepacker67

Why would that make them uptight?
Most of the cops I have known love a good 'confiscate'.

Bikepacker67

That's because they get all their aggression out on hockey games; not because they're docile.

lyeinyoureye

They have mechanical turn signals!??!

I_bRAD

We call 'em arms.

lyeinyoureye

And here I thought my arms were biological. In any event, I'm sure ya won't mind removing and reattaching your mechanical arms... Pikz or I call BS.

El Julioso

Last time I checked, we don't allow our government to pass laws which take a giant poop on our constitutionally guaranteed rights... have fun being "not easily controlled."

And yes - every country has its share of bad cops.

rousseau

UPDATE: Artist beats ticket for 'driving' pedal car