Not legal in the UK ?

flecc

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Oct 25, 2006
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They are almost certainly the ones that have just been taken off the road by the police in London. They were also 48 volt jobs and the seller is in London.

Best for a private land location like an airport, holiday camp, large caravan site etc. The price is very good as these taxi trikes can cost well over £4000.
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keithhazel

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Oct 1, 2007
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Best for a private land location like an airport, holiday camp, large caravan site etc. The price is very good as these taxi trikes can cost well over £4000.
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its does beg the question though...."why do they cost so much".....not like its got a 5 litre fuel injected turbo engine or electric sunroof or soft supple leather interior.............i know batteries are getting expensive but :eek:
 

flecc

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its does beg the question though...."why do they cost so much".....not like its got a 5 litre fuel injected turbo engine or electric sunroof or soft supple leather interior.............i know batteries are getting expensive but :eek:
Small production is the answer. One of the best is the Cycles Maximus, hand built in Bath, and that sort of production costs. Here's the current prices without electric power:

Rolling Chassis £2,275

Pedicab Body £1,320

Pedicab Total £3,595
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keithhazel

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Oct 1, 2007
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Small production is the answer. One of the best is the Cycles Maximus, hand built in Bath, and that sort of production costs. Here's the current prices without electric power:

Rolling Chassis £2,275

Pedicab Body £1,320

Pedicab Total £3,595
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still seems a lot,however if you look at it as being just double the cost of the top e-bikes and you might re coup the outlay in 5-6 months if you find a decent route then they very cheap..hahah:)
 

flecc

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Oct 25, 2006
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still seems a lot,however if you look at it as being just double the cost of the top e-bikes and you might re coup the outlay in 5-6 months if you find a decent route then they very cheap..hahah:)
Not double the cost of top e-bikes Keith!

The rolling chassis is slightly cheaper than the Pro Connect S, and it's got rather a lot to it, three heavy duty 48 spoke wheels, heavy duty braking systems to handle the weight, everything else beefed up considerably and hand built to the highest standards.

And the entire Pedicab with electric drive is still only the same price as the BikeTech Flyer top electric bike model. Makes it rather a bargain by comparison.
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keithhazel

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Oct 1, 2007
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Not double the cost of top e-bikes Keith!

The rolling chassis is slightly cheaper than the Pro Connect S, and it's got rather a lot to it, three heavy duty 48 spoke wheels, heavy duty braking systems to handle the weight, everything else beefed up considerably and hand built to the highest standards.

And the entire Pedicab with electric drive is still only the same price as the BikeTech Flyer top electric bike model. Makes it rather a bargain by comparison.
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out of curiosity i wonder how many miles to a charge... guess we will never know as doubt anyone on here will have had one,unless that master collector and seller of all known e-bikes made..Aldby....has had one and can throw some light on performance..:rolleyes:
 

keithhazel

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Oct 1, 2007
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Not double the cost of top e-bikes Keith!

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And the entire Pedicab with electric drive is still only the same price as the BikeTech Flyer top electric bike model. Makes it rather a bargain by comparison.
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when i said top e-bikes i was talking about something like the Kalkhoff range as what being pedal assist is about is assisting not throttle only, so in my opinion i was classing them as the best, there for twice their price is roughly the £3.750 tag... i wouldnt mention in the same breath as "pedal assist" something like the biketech flyer because when i win the lottery on saturday i still would not buy one,as have one of them i might as well have a moped... (all comments are only my opinion and in the freedom of speech act i can say it so no lawsuits please.....)...
you are welcome to correct me though Tony but remember you are talking to someone with the technical e-bike knowledge of a recurring newbie.... so be gentle ..:)
 

flecc

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be gentle ..:)
Of course Keith. I was just defending what is a very reasonable price for a hand production high quality product that sells in very small numbers.

The range is more a matter of run time rather than distance for these slow vehicles, and Cycles Maximus trikes with e-power are equipped for about two hours on motor power. That equals about 12 to 15 miles.
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tillson

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May 29, 2008
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Why are these things illegal? Are they dangerous or is it that they don’t fit our legislation?
It seems a shame that we can’t make them legal either by making them safer through design or altering the legislation.

You would think that any government serious about green issues and reducing car congestion in inner cities would be trumpeting this sort of transport from the roof tops of Downing Street. Unless they have been found to be downright dangerous as a mode of transport in cities in other parts of the world.
 

flecc

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Why are these things illegal? Are they dangerous or is it that they don’t fit our legislation?
It seems a shame that we can’t make them legal either by making them safer through design or altering the legislation.
The weight and the power are the problem. They are limited to 60 kilos unloaded and all these designs exceed that, and they are subject to the 250 Watts nominal power limit.

Cycles Maximus have shown that the power limit isn't necessarily a problem, the Lynch motor that they have conforms to the power limit over most of it's rev range but is capable of huge power at near stall speeds, climbing any reasonable hill. The weight problem is insurmountable though.

We're dealing not just with our law but EU legislation as well, so the chances of change are minimal. Personally I don't see this as a problem since I don't think these should be on our roads due to their disruptive nature. They simply aren't compatible with other traffic, and that is reflected in the increasing restrictions being placed on them. Even cycle friendly Cambridge has banned them.
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Footie

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Jun 16, 2007
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Cornwall. PL27
flecc posted:
.... The range is more a matter of run time rather than distance for these slow vehicles, and Cycles Maximus trikes with e-power are equipped for about two hours on motor power. That equals about 12 to 15 miles ....


I'm bemused at who would even want one of these.
At a range of only 12 to 15 miles its not much good as a taxi, unless it’s only used for really short trips.
One's hardly going to make a fortune hiring it out as a taxi, especially when it's wet and cold.
But then again, I don't know the going rate for taxi fares do I - because I ebike instead :cool:
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flecc

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Oct 25, 2006
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I'm bemused at who would even want one of these.
At a range of only 12 to 15 miles its not much good as a taxi, unless it’s only used for really short trips.
I agree the electric versions make little sense on the roads. The unpowered versions can be useful on completely flat off road areas, such as in individual passenger carrying on an airfield for example. In that sort of location where they return to base frequently, an electric one could also be useful by constantly topping up it's charge.

Ironically, in the parts of the world where rickshaws and cycle rickshaws existed, we've made huge efforts in the past to do away with them on rider health grounds, only to have them appear here in the UK. :confused:
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keithhazel

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Oct 1, 2007
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Ironically, in the parts of the world where rickshaws and cycle rickshaws existed, we've made huge efforts in the past to do away with them on rider health grounds, only to have them appear here in the UK. :confused:
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i think history shows we are a country that does get a few hand me downs that others dont want as no longer at their best...:eek:
 

flecc

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Oct 25, 2006
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How about taking the kids to school. More road friendly than a 4x4 I think!
Help! The jams around the schools in many towns and cities are bad enough already, these 6 mph chariots would make things even more chaotic.

Given the sort of distances they are good for, the kids could walk to school as we always used to.
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