{{Short description|Four-wheeled vehicle with pedals}} {{About|four-wheeled vehicles with pedals|small motorized four-wheel vehicles|Quadricycle (disambiguation){{!}}Quadricycle|small four wheeled vehicles without pedals|Microcar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Use American English|date=February 2022}} thumb|A tourist rental quadricycle: Quadricycle International Q-Cycle-6<ref name="QuadricycleIntl" /> [[File:Quadracycling15Jul07.jpg|thumb|A Rhoades Car ''4W2P 4-Wheel Bike'' parked on a Canadian urban street]]
A '''quadracycle''' (also spelled '''quadricycle''') is a four-wheeled human-powered land vehicle. It is also referred to as a '''quadcycle''', '''pedal car''', or '''four-wheeled bicycle''' among other terms.
Quadracycles have been in use since 1853 and have grown into several families of vehicles for a variety of purposes, including tourist rentals, pedal taxis, private touring, mountain and industrial use.
==Nomenclature== There is no consensus amongst manufacturers of four-wheeled, human-powered vehicles as to what this class of vehicles should be called, although ''quadracycle'' is the most commonly used term. Manufacturers who do refer to their products by class of vehicle call them:
*Quadracycle – 11 manufacturers<ref name="Lightfoot">{{Cite web|url = http://www.lightfootcycles.com/quads.php|title = Quadracycles Overview|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Lightfoot Cycles|date = n.d.|archive-date = 30 July 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100730023037/http://www.lightfootcycles.com/quads.php|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="Mobilette">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobilette-us.com/products1.html|title = Mobilette|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Mobilette|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="Momentum">{{Cite web|url = http://www.momentumquadracycles.com/|title = Momentum Quadracycles|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Momentum Quadracycles|date = n.d.|archive-date = 26 April 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090426131744/http://www.momentumquadracycles.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="QuadracycleInc">{{Cite web|url=http://www.quadracycleinc.com/|title = Quadracycle Inc.|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Quadracycle Inc.|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="QuadracycleInternational">{{Cite web|url=http://www.quadracycle.com/index.html|title = Little Deuce Coupe|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Quadracycle International|year = 2006}}</ref><ref name="UltimateQuadracycle">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ultimate-quadracycle.com/|title = Ultimate Quadracycle|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Ultimate Quadracycle|year = 2007|archive-date = 30 June 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090630025957/http://www.ultimate-quadracycle.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="RetroTech">{{Cite web|url=http://www.aqpl43.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/quadcycle/quadcycle.htm|title = The Quadracycle|access-date = 2009-07-06|last = The Museum of Retro Technology|date=January 2005}}</ref><ref name="Animas">{{Cite web|url = http://animasquadracycle.com/|title = Animas Quadracycle|access-date = 2010-03-02|last = Fisher|first = Greg|date = n.d.|archive-date = 17 March 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100317032053/http://animasquadracycle.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref> *Four-wheel bicycle – 7 manufacturers<ref name="AmSpeedster">{{Cite web|url=https://americanspeedster.com|title = American Speedster|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = American Speedster|year = 2009}}</ref><ref name="Pacific">{{Cite web|url= http://www.pacific-cycles.com/|title = Products |access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Pacific Cycles|year = 2009}}</ref><ref name="RBR">{{Cite web|url= http://www.hiwheel.com/|title = Rideable Bicycle Replicas|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Rideable Bicycle Replicas|year = 2005}}</ref><ref name="RhoadesCarHomepage">{{Cite web|url= http://www.rhoadescar.com/showroom.htm |title = rhoades car models|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Rhoades Car|year = 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080730014304/http://www.rhoadescar.com/showroom.htm |archive-date = 30 July 2008}}</ref><ref name="Rowbike">{{Cite web|url = http://www.rowbike.com/420crewzer.html|title = 420 CREWZER ROWBIKE|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Rowbike|year = 2007|archive-date = 21 August 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080821120616/http://www.rowbike.com/420crewzer.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="BVC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.surreybikes.com/showroom.html|title = Welcome to the SurreyBikes.com showroom|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = The Buena Vista Companies|year = 2008|archive-date = 8 August 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090808141318/http://www.surreybikes.com/showroom.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="tecnoartsurrey">{{Cite web|url= http://www.tecnoartsurrey.com/|title = Surreys by Tecnoart of America, Inc - quadricycle and four wheel bikes|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Tecnoart of America|date = n.d.}}</ref> *Quadricycle – 5 manufacturers<ref name="QuadricycleIntl">{{Cite web|url = http://www.quadricycleintl.com/|title = Quadricycle International|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Quadricycle International|date = n.d.|archive-date = 17 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220217012546/https://www.quadricycleintl.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="RetroTech" /><ref name="tecnoartsurrey" /><ref name="Caribriders">{{Cite web|url= http://www.caribbeanriders.com/|title = Caribbean Riders|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Caribbean Riders Corporation|date=June 2009}}</ref><ref name="Worksman">{{Cite web|url= http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page37.html|title = Surreys - Fun on Four Wheels|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Worksman Trading Corporation|year = 2009}}</ref> *Quadcycle – 3 manufacturers<ref name="Alternative">{{Cite web|url= http://www.alternativevehicles.com/|title = C&C Industries - Alternative Vehicles|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Alternative Vehicles|date=June 2009}}</ref><ref name="Zombie">{{Cite web|url = http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-streetfighter.htm|title = Streetfighter|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Atomic Zombie|date = June 2009|archive-date = 31 May 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090531071927/http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-streetfighter.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name="GrannyBike">{{Cite web|url = http://www.thegrannybike.com/|title = THE GRANNY BIKE|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Skeldon Bike Co. Ltd.|date = December 2008|archive-date = 16 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220216135653/https://www.thegrannybike.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref> *Pedal car – 2 manufacturers<ref name="Enjoydrive">{{Cite web|url= http://pedal.cars.googlepages.com/home|title = Classic Pedal Cars|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Enjoy Drive|year = 2007}}</ref><ref name="VeryEco">{{Cite web|url= http://www.veryeco.com/index.html|title = Very eco|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Very Eco|date = n.d.}}</ref> *Quad – 2 manufacturers<ref name="Utah">{{Cite web|url= http://www.utahtrikes.com/TRIKE-UTCQUAD.html|title = Utah Trikes Quad|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Guy Graphics, Inc|date = n.d.}}</ref><ref name="Crankit" />
In addition there are single manufacturers who call them Go-kart,<ref name="BergToys">{{Cite web|url = http://www.bergtoys.co.uk/pedal-go-karts|title = Berg Toys|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Berg Toys|date = n.d.|archive-date = 12 May 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090512155220/http://www.bergtoys.co.uk/pedal-go-karts|url-status = dead}}</ref> Car,<ref name="VanD">{{Cite web|url = http://www.vdalen.nl/english/prod_bugatti_quatro.php3|title = Bugatti Quatro|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Van Dalen Products|year = 2009|archive-date = 19 May 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090519012103/http://www.vdalen.nl/english/prod_bugatti_quatro.php3|url-status = dead}}</ref> Car-Bike,<ref name="TumTum">{{Cite web|url = http://www.tumtumcar.com/|title = TumTumCar|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = JMC Motoronics Co. USA|year = 2009|archive-date = 21 October 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081021041456/http://www.tumtumcar.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref> Ecological car,<ref name="RJK">{{Cite web|url = http://www.rjkecologicalcar.com/|title = RJK Ecological Car|access-date = 24 December 2010|last = RJK|date = n.d.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131230054754/http://www.rjkecologicalcar.com/|archive-date = 30 December 2013|url-status = usurped}}</ref> Human Powered Vehicle,<ref name="Belik">{{Cite web|url= http://www.mupocar.com/|archive-url= https://archive.today/20070522033306/http://www.mupocar.com/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 22 May 2007|title = Mupocars |access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Belik Creation|date = n.d.}}</ref> Pedal Kart,<ref name="Prime">{{Cite web|url = http://www.primekarts.com/retail.html|title = Prime Karts|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Prime Karts, LLC|year = 2009|archive-date = 19 February 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219203230/http://www.primekarts.com/retail.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Quadribent,<ref name="Blackbird">{{Cite web|url= http://www.blackbirdbikes.com/products.htm|title = Blackbird|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Blackbird Designs|year = 2008}}</ref> Quattrocycle,<ref name="Quattro">{{Cite web|url= http://www.quattrocycle.com/|title = Quattrocycle|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Quattrocycle BV|year = 2008}}</ref> Surrey,<ref name="ISC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.internationalsurreyco.com/products.htm|title = International Surrey Company Ltd|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = International Surrey Company Ltd|year = 2009|archive-date = 21 March 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090321054911/http://www.internationalsurreyco.com/products.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> and Twin bike.<ref name="HollywoodBike">{{Cite web|url= http://www.hollywoodbike.com/|title = Hollywood Bike|access-date = 2009-06-30|last = Hollywood Bike|year = 2009}}</ref>
==Toy versions== thumb|left|Boy on pedal car thumb|Garton Mercury 1938 pedal car The most common types of pedal cars are children's toys. These are typically chain driven, but other variants like the pendulum pedals are also common. Tri-Ang began making cars of this design before World War II and had a global presence post-war.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://pedalmania.jigsy.com/triang-pedal-cars | title = Welcome to Triang Pedal Cars | work = The Australian Pedal Car Club | access-date = 4 January 2024 | archive-date = 4 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240104030229/https://pedalmania.jigsy.com/triang-pedal-cars | url-status = dead }}</ref>
{{commonscat|Pedal cars for children}}
==History== thumb|1885 Coventry Rotary Quadracycle in Washington DC<ref name="RetroTech" /> [[File:Quadricycle.JPG|thumb|Coventry Rotary Quadracycle (1885) in the Dutch national cycling museum, Velorama, Nijmegen, Netherlands<ref name="RetroTech" />]]
The earliest recorded pedal-powered quadracycle was exhibited in 1853 at the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations world's fair held in New York City.<ref name="QIOHist">{{Cite web|url= http://web.ncf.ca/fn352/quadracycle/quadracycles.html#History|title = About Quadracycles - A Bit of Quadracycle History|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Quadracycling in Ottawa|date=June 2008}}</ref> This was about the same time that two-wheeled bicycles started to become popular. Quadracycles were one solution to the problem of low-speed stability in early cycles and were typically multi-seat models.<ref name="RetroTech" /> Both tandem (in line) and sociable (side-by-side) seating configurations were used.
One early design that predated 1869 was the ''Andrews Quadracycle'', built by Andrews of Dublin, Ireland. It was made from one inch-square iron and was propelled with foot levers that moved in a long horizontal ellipse. The ''Sawyer Quadricycle'' was introduced in 1855 and featured lighter construction, wooden wheels, iron tires and front-wheel steering via a tiller. Like the Andrews Quadracycle it was moved by foot levers driving the rear axle. Starley's ''Coventry Rotary Quadracycle'' was introduced in 1885 and used conventional bicycle-style rotary pedals instead of foot levers for drive. It was developed from Starley's ''Coventry Rotary Tricycle'' design and featured tandem seating for two. The ''Rudge Quadracycle'' of 1888 is described as the first modern practical four-wheeler. It had much lighter construction than earlier models, seated three riders in tandem and was steered by levers from the front seat.<ref name="RetroTech" />
Early in the twentieth century, the Canadian company Massey-Harris developed the ''Canadian Royal Mail Quadracycle''. This was used for mail delivery in Toronto as early as 1901.<ref name="RetroTech" /> The Gendron Wheel Company created children's toy replica pedal cars up until World War II.<ref>[http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/00q4/cars_for_kids-comparison_tests/pedal_car_classics_gendron_pioneer_roadster_page_3 Pedal Car Classics Gendron Pioneer Roadster - Comparison Tests], Brad Nevin, ''Car and Driver'', December 2000 (retrieved 14 September 2010)</ref><ref>[http://www.pedalcarnews.com/peter_gendron.htm Peter Gendron: Pedal Car Pioneer] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418194901/http://www.pedalcarnews.com/peter_gendron.htm |date=18 April 2010 }}, Linda Portell, PedalCarNews.com, date unknown (retrieved 14 September 2010)</ref>
==Modern quadracycles== [[File:1945MochetVelocar.jpg|thumb|A 1945 model Mochet Velocar]] Quadracycle use diminished in the late 19th century as a result of improvements in bicycle technology that made their four-wheel cousins largely obsolete, although small numbers were manufactured through the 1950s for rental use in tourist areas.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
A resurgence of 20th century quadracycle use occurred in France where Charles Mochet introduced his Velocar pedal powered two-seat quadracycle in 1924. The various models of the Velocar featured wooden aerodynamic bodies and usually a three speed transmission. Production of final pedal-powered Mochet Velocar Model H ended in 1938, but Mochet went on to become a manufacturer of automobiles. The Velocar proved quite popular, especially during World War II when the French population was under German occupation and gasoline was virtually unavailable for civil use. Restored Mochet Velocars are still found in France.<ref name="QIOHist" /><ref name="mochet">{{Cite web|url = http://www.mochet.org/|title = Mochet.org|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Mochet.org|date = January 2008|archive-date = 25 March 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220325072013/https://mochet.org/|url-status = dead}}</ref>
During the 1970s and 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in quadracycles as personal transportation, driven by the 1973 oil crisis, environmental concerns about air pollution from automobiles and the search for emission-free alternatives.<ref name="QIOHist" />
===Tourist destination rental=== [[File:Red DX Surrey.jpg|thumb|A common rental surrey - a 2008 model International Surrey Company DX Series Surrey designed for 3 adults and 2 small children, equipped with 7 speeds.<ref name="ISC" />]] thumb|A tourist rental quadricycle, a Quadricycle International Quad-3<ref name="QuadricycleIntl" /> [[File:Quadricycle Intl rental line-up 01.JPG|thumb|Quadricycle International tourist rental quadricycles, Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada<ref name="QuadricycleIntl" />]] Quadracycles can often be found at tourist attractions where they are available to rent by the hour or day. Modern tourist quadracycles usually feature open seating for two or more riders in a sociable configuration. They are often designed to look like early 20th century automobiles with a bench seat, rack-and-pinion steering, and a canopy top. They are commonly called "surreys", due to their resemblance to horse-drawn wagons of similar appearance and the same name.
Examples of this type include:
* International Surrey Company Surrey<ref name="ISCproducts">{{Cite web|url = http://www.internationalsurreyco.com/products.htm|title = International Surrey Company Products|access-date = 2008-12-13|last = International Surrey Company|year = 2008|archive-date = 21 March 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090321054911/http://www.internationalsurreyco.com/products.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Quadricycle International Quad-3<ref name=autogenerated4>{{Cite web|url = http://www.quadricycleintl.com/en/quad3-specifications-sheet.html|title = Technical Specifications: Quad-3|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Quadricycle International|year = 2006|archive-date = 5 December 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081205061709/http://www.quadricycleintl.com/en/quad3-specifications-sheet.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Rhoades Car 4W4P<ref name="Rhoades4W4P">{{Cite web|url= http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w4p-a.htm|title = 4W4P|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Rhoades Car|year = 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080802020336/http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w4p-a.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2 August 2008}}</ref> * Sirenetta<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web|url= http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page37.html|title = Surreys|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Worksman Cycles|year = 2005}}</ref>
===Pedal taxi=== Similar to the surrey are pedal taxis or pedicabs. These tend to be four or even six seaters and are used as taxis, pedaled by professional drivers. Like the rental surreys, they are often found at tourist attractions and in the downtown areas of tourist destination cities.
Also like the rental surreys, pedal taxis are often constructed to resemble early 20th century cars and often feature awning coverings for protection from the sun.
Examples of this type include:
* International Surrey Limousine<ref name="ISCproducts" /> * Momentum Quadracycles MQ4 Cabbie<ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite web|url = http://www.momentumquadracycles.com/models.htm|title = Models|access-date = 2008-12-13|last = Momentum Quadracycles|date = n.d.|archive-date = 17 September 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080917023810/http://www.momentumquadracycles.com/models.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Quadracycle Inc QuadraCab<ref name="quadinc">{{cite web|url=http://www.quadracycleinc.com|title=Quadracycle LLC - Four-wheel Pedal Bicycles - Quadricycle|work=quadracycleinc.com|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> * Delphino (Limo)<ref name="Worksman" />
===Touring=== [[File:Quadracycle7011A.jpg|thumb|A modern 4-wheel touring bike - a 2007 model Rhoades Car 4W2PCP Coupe two seater<ref name="RhoadesCarHomepage" />]] thumb|A modern German 4-wheel touring bike - a 2021 model Touring quadracycles are constructed specifically for the personal ownership market and are built to be lighter and faster than rental surreys. Typically, they seat one or two people in side-by-side seating and feature independent pedaling and gear selection. They can have as low as 7 gear inches, giving them remarkable hill-climbing capabilities.<ref name="MicroCar">{{Cite web|url = http://www.lightfootcycles.com/microcar.htm|title = MicroCar|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Lightfoot Cycles|date = n.d.|archive-date = 26 December 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081226170558/http://www.lightfootcycles.com/microcar.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> They are used for long-distance travel as well as local use; some are used for cycle-commuting to work.<ref name="BikeTraffic">{{Cite web|url= http://www.biketraffic.org/biketraffic/BT0702/#quad|title = Quad Pool - Sometimes, biking takes a back seat|access-date = 2008-12-13|last = Zanoza|first = Melanie|year = 2002}}</ref>
Compared to touring or hybrid bicycles, touring quadracycles are more comfortable to ride, can navigate steeper hills more easily, deal with crosswinds better, and can carry a much heavier load than a bicycle. They have disadvantages compared to bicycles including that they are heavier, require more storage space, typically have slower cruise speeds, are more complex to maintain, and have a larger turning circle.<ref name="QIOcompare">{{Cite web|url= http://web.ncf.ca/fn352/quadracycle/quadracycles.html#Bicycle|title = About Quadracycles - Advantages and Disadvantages Compared to a Bicycle|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Quadracycling in Ottawa|date=June 2008}}</ref> Unlike bicycles (but like tricycles) they are vulnerable to being rolled over on fast corners, and a very low centre of gravity and/or weight transfer by the riders to the inside of the curve is needed to avoid this.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}
Examples of this type of vehicle include:
* Lightfoot MicroCar<ref name="MicroCar" /> * Momentum Quadracycles MQ2 Leisure<ref name="Momentum" /> * Pacific Cycle 2Rider<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pacific-cycles.com/Product/SpecialNeeds/2RIDER|title=2RIDER|author=思動創意,微系統有限公司|work=pacific-cycles.com|access-date=4 November 2015|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227220816/http://www.pacific-cycles.com/Product/SpecialNeeds/2RIDER|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Quadracycle International Little Deuce Coupe<ref name="DeuceCoupe">{{Cite web|url= http://www.quadracycle.com/index.html|title = Little Deuce Coupe|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Quadracycle International|year = 2006}}</ref> * Quadracycle Inc QuadraSport two-seater<ref name="Quadrasport">{{Cite web|url= http://www.quadracycleinc.com/showroom/showroom.html|title = Showroom|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Quadracycle Inc|date = n.d.}}</ref> * QuattroVelo—a "speed"-class velomobile{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} * Rhoades Car 4W2PCP two-seater coupe<ref name="Rhoades4W2PCP">{{Cite web|url= http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w2pcp-d.htm|title = 4W2PCP|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Rhoades Car|year = 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080718175920/http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w2pcp-d.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 18 July 2008}}</ref> * RJK Ecological Car<ref name="RJK" /> * Steppe by Steppe Quike<ref name="Quike">{{Cite web|url = http://www.steppebysteppe.com.au/the_quike.html|title = Steppe by Steppe Quike|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Greenspeed|date = n.d.|archive-date = 7 March 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090307002145/http://www.steppebysteppe.com.au/the_quike.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Ultimate Quadracycle CC-Sportster<ref name="Ultimate">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ultimate-quadracycle.com/showroom/sportster.html|title = Cosycycle Sportster|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Ultimate Quadracycle|year = 2006|archive-date = 7 March 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090307130654/http://www.ultimate-quadracycle.com/showroom/sportster.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> * Utah Trikes Quad<ref name=autogenerated3>{{Cite web|url= http://www.utahtrikes.com/TRIKE-UTCQUAD.html|title = Utah Trikes Quad|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Utah Trikes|date = n.d.}}</ref> * VierBike<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best Four Wheeled Bike {{!}} Vierbike Quadricycle|url=https://www.vierbike.com/|website=vierbike.com|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=14 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914075200/https://www.vierbike.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
There are also plans available as well as some amateur-designed touring quadracycles made by combining two bicycles. They have had varying degrees of success.<ref name="plans">{{Cite web|url = http://www.helmets.org/forbuild.htm|title = Build your own 4 wheel bike?|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Helmets.org|date = June 2005|archive-date = 19 December 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081219101207/http://www.helmets.org/forbuild.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Examples of quadracycles built from plans are:
* Skeldon Bike Co. Granny Bike<ref name="Skeldon">{{Cite web|url = http://www.thegrannybike.com/|title = THE GRANNY BIKE|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Skeldon Bike Co. Ltd.|date = December 2008|archive-date = 16 February 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220216135653/https://www.thegrannybike.com/|url-status = dead}}</ref> *Atomic Zombie StreetFighter<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-streetfighter.htm|title = The StreetFighter Quad Cycle|access-date = 2008-02-29|last = Atomic Zombie|date = n.d.|archive-date = 31 May 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090531071927/http://www.atomiczombie.com/product-streetfighter.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref>
===Mountain quadracycles===<!-- This section is linked from Mountain bike --> Some quadracycles are designed to be the four-wheel counterparts of mountain bicycles and are optimized for strength and the ability to deal with steep and rough terrain; these are all single seat designs.
An example of this type is:
* Crank-It Mountain Quad<ref name="Crankit">{{Cite web|url= http://www.crank-it.com/quadhome.html|title = Mountain Quad|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Crank-It|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110203113740/http://www.crank-it.com/quadhome.html|archive-date = 3 February 2011}}</ref>
===Industrial use=== There are quadracycles designed for local delivery of goods, such as spare parts in a factory environment or laundry at spread-out hotel complexes. They may have two seats and a pickup box or flat bed to allow loads to be transported. Industrial use quadracycles are also capable of pulling small trailers.
Some quadracycles in this category have also been designed for military applications, such as light logistics transport.
Examples of this type of quadracycle include:
* Momentum Quadracycles MQ1 Industrial<ref name="Momentum" /> * Rhoades Car 4W2PLF<ref name="Rhoades4W2PLF">{{Cite web|url= http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w2plf-g.htm|title = Rhoades Car 4W2PLF (long frame) Model|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Rhoades Car|year = 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080718175925/http://www.rhoadescar.com/4w2plf-g.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 18 July 2008}}</ref> * Rhoades Car Go Boy<ref name="RhoadesGoBoy">{{Cite web|url= http://www.rhoadescar.com/goboy-m.htm|title = Go Boy|access-date = 2008-12-23|last = Rhoades Car|year = 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080709030129/http://www.rhoadescar.com/goboy-m.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 9 July 2008}}</ref>
===Racing===
Pedal Car Racing can be found in many parts of the world. The UK, France and Italy all have championships and the UK and Hong Kong have a 24-hour race every year. Racing pedal cars are lightweight machines built for the sole purpose of racing and are therefore unsuitable for road use. <ref name="Racing">{{cite web|url=http://pedalcarracing.info/information/getting-on-the-grid/|title=Getting on the Grid|author=British Federation PedalCar Racing|work=British Pedal Car Championship|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723215228/http://pedalcarracing.info/information/getting-on-the-grid/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Performance art=== The El Arbol quadracycle was built as a portable stage and sound system to make a point about the use of fossil fuels for transportation.<ref name="Arbol">{{Cite web|url = http://fossilfool.com/el-arbol-in-action/|title = El Arbol in action|access-date = 6 December 2010|last = Fossil Fool.|date = July 2010|archive-date = 18 December 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131218213810/http://fossilfool.com/el-arbol-in-action/|url-status = dead}}</ref>
==Security== Lacking the mass and door locks of automobiles, quadracycles are often secured in the same manner as bicycles with "U" or "D" locks, chains or cables to convenient stout objects such as fence posts, signs or bike racks.<ref name="Security">{{Cite web|url= http://web.ncf.ca/fn352/quadracycle/quadracycles.html#Security|title = About Quadracycles - Security|access-date = 2008-04-15|last = Quadracycling in Ottawa|date=April 2008}}</ref>
==See also== * List of land vehicles types by number of wheels * Cyclecar * Cyclologistics * Human-powered transport * Outline of cycling * Surrey * Wheeled kicksled * Quadricycle * Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification)
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==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Quadricycles}} * [http://helmets.org/fourwhel.htm List of quadracycle manufacturers] * [http://www.liggecykelforeningen.dk/Designseminar/4WheelVelomobiles Four-Wheeled Velomobiles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130045814/http://www.liggecykelforeningen.dk/Designseminar/4WheelVelomobiles |date=30 November 2009 }}
{{Human-powered vehicles}}
Category:Quadricycles Category:1853 introductions