Cycle Rickshaws As a Sustainable Transport System for Developing Countries Anil K

Home , Cycle rickshaw, Human power, Velocar

HUMAN POWER TECHNICAL JOURNAL OF THE IHPVA NUMBER 49, WINTER 1999–2000

Summaries of articles in this issue; mast...... 2 Contributions to Human Power ...... 7 Articles Velocar variations Arnfried Schmitz...... 3 Generators for bicycle lighting Frank Krygowski and Don Slanina...... 7 Direct-drive (chainless) recumbent bicycles Thomas Kretschmer ...... 11 Cycle rickshaws as a sustainable transport system for developing countries Anil K. Rajvanshi ...... 15 Is the .deciMach Prize attainable? Michael Eliasohn ...... 18 Technical notes Body shapes and influence of wind Matt Weaver ...... 21 Letters The Rohloff 14-speed hub, Ian Sims ...... 6 Comments on abstracts of Too’s data Raoul Reiser ...... 24 Relations with the UCI, Peter Ross...... 25 Greetings from Alaska, Smiley Shields ...... 25 Greetings from Sri Lanka, Ray Wijewardene ...... 26 Editorials Bouncing off the mainstream, Theo Schmidt ...... 27 Uncomfortable suits, Dave Wilson ...... 27 Number 49 Winter 1999–2000 $5.50 Table 5. Computation of forces for the direct-drive hub. CYCLE RICKSHAWS AS A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Computation of forces for the direct drive hub Calculation Assumed force on pedal 2000 N corresp. 200 kg F: force on each planet gear shaft Crank length 170 mm standard P by Anil K. Rajvanshi Ll: ength of pedals Diameter planet gear carrier 57.4 mm optimized F: force on pedal Number of planets 4 optimized T ABSTRACT improved cycle rickshaws powered by Nevertheless the existing standard DP: diameter of planet gear carrier Force on planet shaft 2 962 N up to center of planet gear shaft Most cities in developing countries electric motors and batteries have a rickshaw is poorly designed so that it Diameter small planet gear 14.7 mm optimized n: number of planet gear shafts Diameter large planet gear 24.5 mm optimized are highly polluted. The main reasons potential to provide an attractive alter- takes a heavy toll on the health of a The worst case is the combination F:K force on small planet gear are the air and noise pollution caused native to petrol- and diesel-powered rickshaw puller. The existing cycle If only one tooth per planet gear of smallest planet with largest sun F: force on large planet gear gear or vice versa, all other D by transport vehicles, especially petrol- three wheelers. They can also provide rickshaw has hardly changed since it interlocks at once, the load each tooth D:K diameter of small planet gear combinations result in lower forces carries is: D:G diameter of large planet gear per tooth. powered two- and three-wheelers large-scale employment and extra was introduced in India in the 1930s large planet gear: 1 111 N called autorickshaws. We have devel- income to the rickshaw puller. and ’40s. The gearing gives a very poor small planet gear 1 851 N oped three types of improved rick- impedance match. Hence the rickshaw Figure 11. Unicycle Comparison to conventional hub shaws: (a) a pedalled rickshaw (IPCR); EXISTING CYCLE RICKSHAWS puller has to work very hard while Assumed force on pedal 2 000 N as above with transmission Length of crank 170 mm surely won’t need (b) a motor-assisted pedal rickshaw There are approximate estimates climbing even a slight slope. A corresponds to a cog of 17, all those gears, but (MAPR); and (c) a completely battery- that close to one million cycle common sight is of a rickshaw puller Ratio chainring/cog 2.47 - chainring with 42 teeth measurement of a 3-speed hub by after a slight modifi- driven rickshaw called ELECSHA™. rickshaws ply the Indian roads carrying dismounting so that he can, on foot, Diameter of annular gear 38 mm renownd mfg. cation of the hub, The details of these rickshaws are pre- about three to four billion passenger pull the rickshaw and passengers. The Number of planets 3- standard for multispeed hubs the unicyclist enjoys If only one tooth per planet gear sented in this paper. It is shown that km/year. In some cities they are the braking system is also poor in that only interlocks at once, the load each tooth Worst case: annular gear-driven higher speed. carries is 2 414 N these rickshaws can provide an envi- major means of transport. They provide front brakes are fitted. Thus when ronmentally friendly, energy-efficient year-round employment to about going downhill at high speeds sudden load on a tooth of the direct-drive hub is and cost-effective transport system and 700,000 rickshaw pullers (plus work for braking produces a catapult effect. 23% lower! can replace the existing autorickshaws. migrant and seasonal workers), are Similarly the seating arrangement is An economic analysis of these rick- very maneuverable, and are completely very uncomfortable and the aerody- ONE DIRECT-DRIVE HUB: shaws is presented and policy issues nonpolluting—hence they provide an namic drag of the system is very high. MANY BICYCLES. are identified. Besides reducing pollu- environmentally friendly means of It is therefore humanly degrading to A whole new spectrum of bicycles tion, these rickshaws could provide transport. It is very unfortunate that pull the existing inefficient cycle rick- emerges with the coming of the direct- large-scale employment in urban and deliberate policies in most of the urban shaw. Yet because of poverty, laborers drive hub. Use of the hub is thus not rural areas of India. towns of developing countries have become rickshaw pullers and suffer limited to chainless recumbents. The been made by the concerned adverse consequences to their health. following pictures show possible varia- INTRODUCTION authorities to phase out these Rickshaw manufacturing presently tions with further specific advantages. Figure 8. Tandem: Not much longer than Figure 12. Smilebike: The bike for special To illustrate the pollution problem rickshaws. These nonpolluting vehicles is a footpath industry with no quality a ‘normal’ bike occasions. mentioned above, in India there are are being replaced by polluting (both control and there are as many rick- close to 18 million petrol-engine- air and noise pollution) petrol- and shaw designs as cities in which they PRESENT STATUS powered two-wheelers and about diesel-powered three-wheelers. Our ply. These rickshaws are so poorly The multispeed direct-drive hub is 1.5 million petrol- and diesel-powered data show that three-wheeler diesel made that often they have to be not yet a reality, but a prototype should three-wheelers. The population of “tempos” in Lucknow city (capital of replaced completely every two years. be finished in 2000. The test bike used these vehicles is growing at a rate of Uttar Pradesh) produce a noise of Thus there is a need to improve the until now has only one gear, with a ratio about 15% per annum. Besides being a close to 70–80 decibels at a distance of existing rickshaw and bring quality of 1:2.5 and without a freewheel. When major hazard to people’s health, these 1–2 m, besides emitting huge amounts control into its manufacture. the prototype is finished, the author machines consume petroleum prod- of particulates into the air . hopes to find a manufacturer who ucts for which the NEWLY-DEVELOPED MODELS Figure 6. Recumbent tricycle: with direct would be interested in producing a hub country has to pay Our institute has therefore designed drive this trike neither requires a differ- ential nor is it driven on just one side. for general sale. There are no restric- dearly in foreign- and developed three types of rick- Figure 9. Recumbent, carbon: This form tions on production and sale of the hub exchange outflow. shaws: (1) an improved pedal-cycle won’t be “laid in chains”! anywhere the world except Germany: An electric cycle rickshaw; (2) a motor-assisted pedal- the patents are German. rickshaw can pro- cycle rickshaw; and (3) a completely vide a nonpolluting battery-driven rickshaw called ELEC- Thomas Kretschmer is an engineer and silent trans- SHA™. The details of the work accom- working in a small German company. port system for plished follow. Until now, bicycle construction was urban and rural Improved only a hobby for him. areas of India. It is pedal-cycle rickshaw (IPCR) —Thomas Kretschmer in addition a very The new design of pedal rickshaw Nithackstraße 4 energy-efficient has a five-speed gear, a reduction in D-10585 Berlin, Germany and cost-effective the length of the long chain drives used E-mail: [email protected] vehicle. Work done in existing rickshaws, back-wheel brak- Figure 10. Funbike—with a drive immune Figure 7. Cargo Bike: Don’t be working Telephone: +49 30 348 27 59 at our institute has ing, better suspension and a lower to sand, water and mud Figure 1. NARI improved pedal-cycle rickshaw (IPCR) on a chain gang! shown that aerodynamic drag than the existing

14 Number 49, winter 1999–2000 Human Power Human Power Number 49, winter 1999–2000 15 rickshaws, as shown in figure 1, the his seat. This would be a major these autorickshaws travel about the rickshaw puller can easily go with the reduced fare for ELECSHA, charging stations will have to be sorted improved NARI rickshaw. Tests done at improvement for him. A simple strategy 50–60 km per day. Based upon these 30–40 km/day. The addition of a five- the owner can make a good profit. This out. our institute have also shown that it has been employed in this rickshaw. A data it was felt that an electric rick- speed gear could therefore increase his is because of the low running cost of The electricity to power these batter- enables a rickshaw puller to take two manual contact switch allows the rickshaw designed to run 60–80 km/charge earnings substantially. ELECSHA. Thus it seems that for both ies could come from any renewable passengers on a 6–10% slope quite easi- shaw puller to switch the motor on or and with speeds of 25–30 km/h would MAPR rickshaw puller and owner it is power plants like biomass, solar ther- ly and without getting down from his off depending upon his convenience be an excellent substitute for these In this case our data have shown economically viable to ply these rick- mal, solar photovoltaic, wind, etc. In seat. This rickshaw is made of mild- and load. Thus the gearing is arranged autorickshaws. In a fair-weather coun- that a rickshaw puller can easily pedal shaws. these cases these rickshaws could truly steel angles, is light in weight and is such that pedal and motor work in tan- try like India, a silent and nonpolluting 50 km/day and in some tests he has be called a renewable-energy transport sturdy. The weight of the rickshaw is dem to ease the load on the rickshaw electric rickshaw with the above attrib- increased this distance to 70 km/day in OTHER ISSUES system. To convert all existing one-mil- 90 kg; its life estimated to be puller. A current-overload switch cuts utes could be a boon. two shifts. Thus with the cost of MAPR The battery and its charging lion rickshaws in India into electric 7–10 years. off the circuit when motor draws more Consequently an electric cycle rick- at Rs 17,000 he can earn at least One of the major issues facing the rickshaws would require only one 600- Our data from urban towns of India than 20 amps. However the rickshaw shaw has been designed and built. It Rs 150/day (by charging Rs 3/km). If large-scale introduction of electric MW power plant to run them. [If bat- have shown also that many rickshaw puller has to pedal continuously: thus it has been patented and registered as the rickshaw owner charges Rs 40/day vehicles is the issue of batteries. With tery-charging is carried out off-peak, pullers are migrant laborers from is a motor-assisted pedal rickshaw ELECSHA™ (figure 3). At the time of as hiring charges (the puller will get at the present level of technology devel- including during the night, no addition- villages whose sole possessions are (MAPR). The weight of this rickshaw writing it has logged more than least Rs 110/day as net income) then opment the batteries used virtually al generating plant would be required. their rickshaws. Hence at night they (including batteries) is 129 kg (figure 2). 3500 km in test runs. It runs on a 36-V the owner will be able to repay the have to be lead-acid. Deep-discharge —Ed.] It is also instructive to look at often sleep on the cramped seat of the The cost of this rickshaw is envisaged 100-A-h lead-acid battery that powers a rickshaw loan in five years. He will also lead-acid batteries are presently the energy efficiency of electric rick- rickshaw for fear of its being stolen. to be Rs 17,000 in mass production. The 1.3-kW PMDC motor. An electronic at the same time earn a profit of about imported into India and are very heavy. shaw vis-à-vis petrol-engine-powered Our new design allows the seats to be price includes rickshaw, PMDC motor card “soft starts” ELECSHA and pro- Rs 4,600/year for ten years on each The issue of battery charging can be autorickshaws. From power-plant to arranged in such a way that a long bed and battery. Patents have been applied vides dynamic braking. It is estimated rickshaw. This includes battery replace- tackled in two ways. traction-energy point of view ELEC- results which allows a rickshaw puller for for both the IPCR and the MAPR. to cost about Rs 70,000 in mass produc- ment cost every third year and 18% 1. An onboard charger that can be SHA consumes 110 Wh/passenger-km to sleep properly without the fear of ELECSHA tion, which would compare very favor- interest on the loan. plugged into any electrical outlet can be as compared to 175 Wh/passenger-km his rickshaw being stolen at night. In major cities of India there are ably with the cost of petrol- and diesel- ELECSHA fitted. This concept has been used in consumed by petrol autorickshaws. In The cost of this rickshaw is estimated petrol- and diesel-powered three-wheel- powered three-wheelers which are The ELECSHA owner can make a net most of the electric vehicles. This con- this calculation we used the following to be Rs 7000 in mass production and ers called autorickshaws. They are priced in some cities between Rs profit of Rs 25,400 every year for ten cept can be attractive for private own- assumptions. compares very well with Rs 4000–5000 some of the most polluting vehicles on 75,000–1,00,000. Table 1 shows the years. This requires that the fare will be ers of ELECSHA. However the ELECSHA which is the cost of existing regular Indian roads. They use two-stroke specifications of the ELECSHA. Efforts Rs 3.50/km and that the rickshaw will disadvantage of this method is that it • The efficiency of electric power rickshaws. engines, inherently more polluting than are being made to reduce its weight travel 70 km/day. Other assumptions increases the cost of ELECSHA since plants including transmission and [In October 1999, $1.00 = Rupees the regular four-stroke engines. In addi- and to make it easy to drive. This could are: the charger will be a part of it. distribution losses = 0.255; (Rs) 43.44; 1 Euro = Rs 46.84. tion, data we have collected show that also help it to become a low-cost per- • Driver will be paid Rs 75/day; 2. A network of battery-charging sta- • Charging/discharging efficiency of —Ed.] in the traffic conditions prevalent in sonal vehicle for middle-class families. • ELECSHA will run for 300 days/year; tions could be developed. In this con- batteries = 0.64; and Motor-assisted most inner-city areas these autorick- • Battery replacement cost is Rs 15,000 cept it is envisaged that the battery- • The Elecsha takes two passengers pedal rickshaw (MAPR) shaws run at only 15–20 km/h. They ECONOMIC ISSUES and it will be replaced every other charging station would take out the dis- and travels 80 km per charge. Our data (from discussions with rick- therefore produce even more pollution We plan to introduce these rick- year; charged batteries from ELECSHA and Petrol autorickshaw shaw pullers) also revealed that with a because they are designed to run effi- shaws in Lucknow and Pune, cities • Interest is 15% per annum and loan put in a set of charged ones. • Average mileage = 25 km/l of petrol small battery-driven motor [permanent- ciently at 40–45 km/h. The pollution is having the maximum number of cycle has to be paid back in five years; and The advantages of this concept are • Calorific value of petrol 8.74 kWh/l magnet DC (PMDC) type] attached to further compounded because they are rickshaws and autorickshaws respec- • The electricity cost is Rs 5/kWh. that one does not need to worry about Thus if the ELECSHA uses batteries the improved rickshaw (with a five- continually starting and stopping. Our tively. The comparison of electric rick- Presently the petrol autorickshaws charging and the battery could be of charged from fossil-fuel power speed gear) it may be possible for the data also show that on an average shaws and autorickshaws can take charge Rs 4.50/km and hence, even lower capacity and hence lighter stations, it would use 60% less petro- rickshaw puller to place only when ELECSHA is used in weight, which in turn leum energy than a petrol autorick- go uphill with ease. actual conditions. However, a simple will improve the shaw. Besides being environmentally- Similarly he can economic analysis based upon existing performance of the friendly ELECSHA is also very energy- also carry loads at data has been accomplished, as fol- vehicle. Also, regular efficient. We also feel that small speeds of lows. automotive batteries systems like rickshaws are most suited 10–15 km/h. IPCR could be used which for electric-vehicle development. This Consequently cal- Discussions with rickshaw pullers in can be discharged to is because the present level of battery culations showed various cities reveal that they propel only 50% depth. At technology precludes large power that a 0.375 kW their rickshaws to a maximum of the same time no outputs from lightweight batteries. PMDC motor with 25–30 km/day. During the hot season extra cost of a Hence, the electric rickshaw can be a 24-V, 40-A-h lead- (which is the majority of the year) charger is incurred. easily designed with existing motor acid battery could their range is reduced to 15–20 This concept will be and battery technology. easily take two pas- km/day. On an average they charge Rs very useful for rick- Policy issues sengers on a 10% 3–5/km. Hence they can make between shaws being used as There is need for a policy decision slope at a speed of Rs 75–125/day. After giving Rs 15/day taxis. Nevertheless, by governments of developing coun- 10 km/h without as rickshaw hiring charges they can the issues of old vs. tries to permit only improved cycle the rickshaw puller earn about Rs 60–110/day. Data on our new batteries and the rickshaws and electric rickshaws in Figure 2. Motor-assisted pedal rickshaw (MAPR) Figure 3. Electric cycle rickshaw (ELECSHA™) getting down from rickshaw have shown that with gears economic viability of congested areas of inner cities. This

16 Number 49, winter 1999–2000 Human Power Human Power Number 49, winter 1999–2000 17 TABLE 1. Specifications of the NARI ELECSHA™ Is the .deciMach made from the original rules, which (below 700 meters) Payload 180 kg specified “all vehicles must demon- at 62.2 mph Gross vehicle weight 230 kg Prize attainable? strate the ability to self-start and stop (100.1 kph). Range 60–80 km (for 60%–80% depth of discharge) by Michael Eliasohn without assistance.” So-called unlimit- Buttemer’s Top speed 30 km/h ed vehicles, which need outside assis- response to the Battery type Exide Automotive Battery In 1986, Fred Markham pedaled the tance for starting and stopping, are question of Battery weight 96 kg for 3 batteries Easy Racer Gold Rush to 65.5 mph now permitted. However, if the winning whether 75 mph is Battery capacity 100 Ah Battery specific power 7.95 W/kg (105.4 kph) to win the DuPont Prize of .deciMach prize vehicle has self-start- atttainable was that Battery energy density 39.7 Wh/kg more than $18,000 for the first human- ing/stopping abilities, there is a he feels it’s possi- Battery pack voltage 36 V (Nominal) powered vehicle to exceed 65 mph. In premium (amount to be determined) ble, but only with a Cycle life and self discharge 150–200-cycle for battery at 60% discharge depth 1992, Chris Huber pedaled the Cheetah that will be added to the $21,000 prize. top athlete riding Charger 36-V 10-A standard Indian make, running from wall plug 68.7 mph (110.6 kph) to break Mark- Hill said the maximum 700 meters alti- the best vehicles Charge time 10–12 h ham’s mark. There was no monetary tude was selected because that’s the available today, on Motor 1.2-kW PMDC, Indian make prize, but being on the cover of Popular average elevation above sea level an ideal course (10- Transmission belt pulley/sprocket with 6:1 ratio Science may have been compensation. worldwide. He said “people bitched” kilometer run-up Controller Indian make, high-frequency, micro-processor- The new barrier for straight-line about the high altitude allowable for and 2/3 percent based MOSFET controller speed is 75 mph (120.7 kph). It’s the bar- earlier speed-record attempts. Both downgrade) with Frame/body type Rolled-steel-angle construction rier established by the .deciMach Prize Markham and Huber made their record ideal weather con- Figure 1. Gardner Martin and “Fast Freddy” Markham with the Frame/body material Mild steel Gold Rush that won the DuPont Prize. —Courtesy G. Martin Length/width/height 2390/1050/1330 mm for Human Powered Speed, the prize runs at altitudes of at least 7,700 feet ditions (hot, dry Ground clearance/turning radius 200 mm/2.3 m being $21,000 plus interest to the first (2,347 meters) to take advantage of the and low barometric pressure). Huber some riders might need more, some Maximum gradeability 6–10% rider/team to exceed that speed, which thinner air at that altitude. had a run-up of about 2.5 miles to set less. “Different athletes like to work dif- Tires Regular two-wheeler tyres is approximately one-tenth of the speed Does Garrie Hill think it’s possible the present record, according to ferently.” Buttemer said the run-up issue Wheel Regular two-wheeler wheels of sound. There’s no deadline for win- for an HPV to go 75 mph? “A lot of Whittingham. Markham needed doesn’t depend on just the rider: it also Brakes Hub braking (both front and back wheels) ning the prize. (Contributors to the prize people feel it’s possible, but not prob- 1.8 miles to get up to 65 mph. depends on the position that the rider is are Garrie L. Hill, 10 shares; the HPVA, ably with anything that exists today,” Buttemer said the idea of the super- in. The Gold Rush position (seat higher five shares, and one share each from the he said during the North American long run-up (6.2 miles) is to get up to than the bottom bracket) is much better will help reduce pollution, provide a CONCLUSIONS Indiana chapter of the HPVA, Easy HPV Speed Championships in Sparta, cruising speed without working at full for acceleration than the Varna position clean sustainable transport system and In developing countries most of the Racers, Inc., and Rob Hitchcock.) Wisconsin, in August 1999. Hill said power, then to sprint up to the maxi- (seat lower than the bottom bracket), provide employment. Already courts cities are very congested with narrow The speed has to be attained over a before establishing the prize, he talked mum speed. The Varna riders said that a meaning that someone riding Gold Rush have banned three-wheeled diesel roads that for historical and political distance of 200 meters on a course “flat to some aerodynamicists and physiolo- big oval track would do; the long run-up would require less of a run-up than the “tempos” from certain parts of reasons cannot be broadened. For such to within 2/3 of 1 percent,” to quote gists who thought 75 mph is attainable. doesn’t have to be in a straight line. same person riding a Varna. Lucknow. Electric and improved rick- roads non-polluting vehicles like those from the rules. Making the task more “I think what will happen is some- Gardner Martin, builder of the first Martin said he feels the key to going shaws could provide an attractive described could provide a very attrac- difficult are some of the requirements: one will build something from scratch, HPV to go 65 mph, also stressed the 75 mph may be in the .deciMach rule alternative to help the “clean air” tive transport system. With enlightened Attempts (scheduled annually) must be maybe with a breakthrough in air-flow importance of having the proper course that says, “Vehicles may be of either movement. There is also a need for the government policies allowing only such made at a course specified by the prize control,” he said in talking about what and conditions. For starters, find a single- or multiple-rider design.” He government to enact legislation such vehicles in these areas, the cities of committee and the altitude cannot be it will take to win the .deciMach prize. course as close to the 700-meter maxi- suggested that it may be possible for an that banks could provide lower- developing countries could become more than 700 meters (2,297 feet) above The only two vehicles in Sparta with a mum elevation as possible. Next find HPV to go that fast without a design interest loans to the rickshaw owners. pollution-free and livable. sea level. history of high speed were the Varnas the maximum downward slope of breakthrough simply by using more Since this is a renewable energy .deciMach Prize organizer Garrie raced by Sam Whittingham and Paul 2/3rds of one percent. He suggested than one rider. system, it should get all the benefits ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Hill, a long-time HPV builder/racer and Buttemer. The front-wheel-drive one of the big oval test tracks used by Martin used the 1993 Colorado presently available to such systems in Grants from E&Co, New Jersey and HPV race organizer from Granville, mostly carbon-fiber Varnas were built the auto companies in Arizona might Speed Challenge to make his point. other areas. Besides creating a non- Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Ohio, points out one change has been by George Georgiev of Gabriola Island, do and somewhere along its length Whittingham had the top speed of the polluting transport system in India, Sources, New Delhi are gratefully see next page British Columbia. He has built four so would be 200 meters with the allow- meet, 63.8 mph (102.7 kph; over 200 electric rickshaws would also provide acknowledged. far, each slightly different. able downward slope. Next, have the meters), with Markham in the Gold dignity to rickshaw pullers. Presently At the International Human Powered runs on a suitably hot day, since air Rush second at 63.5 mph. But those rickshaw pullers are treated as By the time this issue of Human director of Nimbkar Agricultural Speed Championships in 1996 near Las gets thinner when it’s hotter. “As any riders teamed to propel the Double belonging to the lowest rung of society. Power is mailed, this paper will have Research Institute (NARI), a non-prof- Vegas, California, on a course with too aviator knows, it’s harder to take off on Gold Rush to 65.0 mph (104.6 kph). “It’s Many rickshaw pullers told us that a been published in the proceedings of it organization. NARI does R&D in steep a slope to be legal, Whittingham a hot day,” Martin said. For instance, a quite obvious the Double Gold Rush is motorized rickshaw would give them “International Symposium on renewable energy and agriculture. pedaled through the 200 meters to a temperature of 95 degrees F may mean faster than the single Gold Rush,” Mar- dignity. It is felt that the police and the Automotive Electronics and Alterna- —Anil K. Rajvanshi, Director speed of 73.3 mph (118.0 kph), with a 2,000-foot elevation (about 700 m) tin said. It’s not fast enough to go 75 people in general treat the drivers of tive Energy Vehicles” to be held in I.I.T. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Buttemer second at 71.0 mph would be the equivalent of racing at mph, however, even under the right motorized transport with slightly more Kanpur from 19-21 November 1999. Institute (NARI) (114.3 kph). The fastest legal speed 4,000–5,000 feet. But, he cautioned, it conditions. “I don’t have a vehicle cur- respect. Besides giving dignity, electric Anil K. Rajvanshi is a mechanical P.O. Box 44, Tambmal, done by Whittingham was 63.8 mph can’t be “so hot it cooks the rider.” rently that can do 75 mph,” Martin said. rickshaws could also provide extra engineer. He earned his B.Tech. and Phaltan-415523, Maharashtra, INDIA (102.6 kph) to win the Colorado Speed As for the long run-up that However, at the fourth International income to the rickshaw puller since he M.Tech. from I.I.T.Kanpur in India [email protected] Challenge in 1993. But that was done at Whittingham and Buttemer feel is nec- HPV Symposium in August 1992, he can ply his rickshaw to greater and his Ph.D. from University of Phone: +91-2166-22396/20945 high altitude. In July 1998, he set the essary, Martin said as much as three suggested a design for such a vehicle. distances in one day. Florida, Gainesville, USA. He is the Fax: +91-2166-21328 IHPVA 200-meter low-altitude record miles may be necessary, but stressed The front rider, flat on his back, pow-

18 Number 49, winter 1999–2000 Human Power Human Power Number 49, winter 1999–2000 19 International Human Powered Vehicle Association

IHPVA PO Box 1307 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 USA http://www.ihpva.org