Drivers have been borrowing bicycle technology since the earliest days of motoring. Behold today’s best bicycle hacks for cars.
The idea that drivers and cyclists are distinct and separate groups is entirely false – not least because most cyclists also own cars. In fact, if it wasn’t for his many years’ experience building and repairing bicycles, it’s unlikely Karl Benz would have gone on to build the world’s first automobile.
The bicycle is not only entwined with the earliest days of the motor car, it literally paved the way for its widespread uptake. Car drivers have cyclists to thank for our road network, not to mention the pneumatic tyres that roll upon it.
Best bicycle hacks for cars
Peddling the idea that speed kills
Michel de Broin is an artist who stripped down a 1986 Buick Regal and replaced its engine with four independent pedal and gear mechanisms, and its headlight bulbs with candles for an exhibition in Toronto in Canada. Capable of 10 mph, the Shared Propulsion project sought to poke fun at the culture of car performance.
When the pedal-powered car was taken for a test ride, local police were utterly bemused and considered it such a threat to other road users that they ordered it to be towed away. The drivers of arguable the safest car in the city at the time had to wait for 30 minutes while the policemen tried to determine exactly which law had been broken. They settled on ‘operating an unsafe vehicle’.
Blowing a raspberry at high-end cars
The obsession with car performance has reached unprecedented levels. Armed with only a jubilee clip and a short length of old bicycle inner tube, why not blow a raspberry at highly tuned, high-end cars? Attaching the inner tube to the end of the exhaust makes even the tiniest engine snarl and pop.
Ultimate space saver tyre
Forget about expensive run flats or space saver spare tyres. wheel builder Bill Mould put his skills to the ultimate test by fitting a family car with a bicycle hub, spokes, rim and tyre.
ETA breakdown cover
As well as being 100% carbon neutral, breakdown cover from the ETA offers an unparallelled level of service.
Established over 24 years ago, and with over 5,000 recovery trucks on call 24/7, we have a proven track record of providing efficient, reliable breakdown cover.
We handpick only the best local mechanics and garages around Britain to send out if you break down. We believe this way of working is efficient, environmentally friendly and helps supports local communities and economies, too.
On top of this, we offset the carbon emissions of the recovery trucks that go out to assist you, reducing the impact your breakdown has on our environment. Every breakdown policy you buy helps fund the work of our charity, the ETA Trust, which we set up in 1994 to campaign for a safer, cleaner transport future.
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