cargocycling.org » quads

Lightfoot Cycles

editor — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:57:26 +0000

Lightfoot Cycles designs and builds custom bicycles and tricycles in Darby, Montana, USA. Their website has a large and diverse selection of very interesting bikes of all shapes and sizes, such as custom bikes for the “big & tall” (they can fit a person up to 7′ tall!). They also have recumbent bicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, two-rider recumbents, special-needs bikes, hand-cycles, power assist bikes, industrial work vehicles and all weather velomobiles.

What I thought was most interesting however was the history of the company, its founder, and their One World Design Project. Back in 1995, Earl Miner designed and built the PET handcycle, at the request of missionaries working in war-torn rural areas of Africa. Earl witnessed a large number of persons in their communities who sustained disabling injuries and who could not walk, many from land-mine encounters.

The walking-speed, cargo-carrying PET handcycle.

“These people were consigned to dragging themselves along in the dust, through a land that had no handicap-access laws, little pavement, and not nearly enough money to afford doctors, protheses or wheelchairs. The concept of a simplified hand-cycle was proven by Earl, and then the prototype was redesigned by Rod Miner. It was produced in increasing amounts for several years at what would become the Lightfoot Cycles shop. From there, Rod Miner began designing cycles for the domestic market. However, design for the less-developed nations continues still with the One World Design Project.” - http://lightfootcycles.com

Their goal is to create highly capable and affordable working vehicles for persons in any part of the world. Within this project, they even sell a cargo-adapter kit which can be attached to a regular mountain bike, turning it into a fully-functional cargo bike!

TCX extension used to transport bales of hay

TCX Custom Box

Marty Stomberg and Rod Miner together created a business model to underpin the production of Lightfoot cycles, starting as custom builders in a converted horse barn, and building slowly and tenaciously over a decade and a half toward the goal of larger-scale lean manufacture.

Check out their diverse array of products!

The Duo is a fast, efficient two-seat recumbent cycle.

Forums

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:41:09 +0000

Hi Everyone,

We’re happy to announce that we just added forums to our site. Please feel free to discuss your questions, thoughts, comments, questions, ideas, and things for sale on the forums. It’s a work in progress and we’ll try our best to continue to improve the site.

http://cargocycling.org/forum/

Thank you very much for all of your support.

Best wishes,

John, Hung, and Erik

Trisled

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:08:01 +0000

Trisled is an Australian builder of high speed velomobiles and recumbent trikes. However, they’ve been getting a lot of news coverage for their four wheeled load carrying recumbent. Here are a few photos of some of their innovative designs.

The flat bed quad starts at $4000. So make sure you bring your check book.

Link:
www.trisled.com.au

Leaning Quad for Seniors

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:59:35 +0000

I saw a couple of companies at a bicycle show in Shanghai that were selling leaning quad cycles designed for seniors and mobility impaired. I asked the rep about the quads and he said that they sell quite a few of them to Chinese customers. He said there wasn’t much interest outside of Asia.

I know a few seniors here in the States that would love to ride to the store, etc., but all that’s available to them at the bike shop are mountain, road, or cruiser bicycles. It’s really great to see some companies putting their efforts behind bicycles for special needs even if it is on the other side of the Pacific.

I was so excited by all the bicycles at the show that I forgot to get the Chinese company’s names. Ugh!!!

Anyway, here are some photos of the leaning quad.