GM's PUMA and the Obesity Report is reminding me of scenes in WALL-E

[TheCoxwain]

I am sure we are getting there... people too fat to walk riding PUMA everywhere ...

[MADem]

1. They oughta make a PUMA that runs on pedal power, or a combo of pedal power and

battery or hybrid power, or what-have-you. That way, people could pedal along and use the engine to help them get up the hill or when they've run out of steam themselves.

[tridim]

3. Or just buy a real bike and stop lugging around 50 pounds of batteries and plastic.

Sorry to be so negative about this Puma thing, but it just strikes me as a very bad idea on multiple levels.

[MADem]

4. Not everyone is an athlete, and not everyone likes to be wet or cold.

That PUMA thing sounds just great for the retiree who wants to go to the grocery store and buy a few sacks of food. Or who wants to go to the symphony with a friend, dressed up in their finery on a rainy day. Or someone who wants to commute a mile or two to work in an urban setting that doesn't have mass transit, or doesn't have mass transit that runs twenty four hours a day and can accomodate a split/graveyard shift worker.

Not every venue in the world is friendly to someone costumed in bike shorts and a helmet, and possessed of a certain aroma. I certainly wouldn't want to have to sit through an opera next to some bike aficionado whose just covered ten or twenty smelly miles to get to the show.

Sorry to be so negative about "real bikes," because I like them, but not everyone does, some people aren't physically able to use them, and they don't 'work' in all situations for all people.

This thing's an option. It's great for urban areas, or rural small towns where people don't drive too fast.

[Stevenmarc]

5. They already do, I own one

http://www.ezeebike.com/

[MADem]

11. I saw those in Spain a lot back in the sixties.

The downside is that you have to ride them like a bike. You remain exposed to the weather. That wouldn't be appropriate for the old lady wanting to go get groceries, or the old guy who just wants to pedal/roll a half mile or so to get the mail at the post office.

I'm thinking something that looks like that egg, with a pedal and maybe a hand switch to use the engine. Like someone else said, if you put a third wheel on it (like a mini-piaggio Ape) you wouldn't need the balancing act business.

[csziggy]

12. They do - or this place has plans for some

"The Gulf Coaster is a u-build 4-wheel bike for one or two passengers. The cycle is an excellent alternative to an expensive gulf cart, when used in a golf community or retirement village. Yes it can serve as an actual golf cart if your course has a paved surface for carts....$18.00 plus $4.00 s&h for ... plans" http://www.americanspeedster.com/golfcoaster.htm



"the side kick is a two passenger four wheel bike with six speeds, that can support the addition of an electric motor. The frame is built from 1-1/4" PVC tubing reinforced with a steel tube in the lower rails. the plans are $18.00 plus $2.00 s&h US and Canada" http://www.americanspeedster.com/side-kick.htm

Here's the cool part - this guy is local to me. I never knew about these but I recognize his name from some local activist groups. Wonder how hard they would be on my knees? I bet he'd let me try one out!

[tridim]

2. My guess is The Puma will be about as popular as the Segway

Segway tech was kind of neat 5 years ago, but the reality is it's an impractical, energy wasting gimmick that would be instantly solved with a simple third wheel.

Hey look, my car is balancing itself! Yea, so what?

[DKRC]

6. Photos ~ dialup warning

Wouldn't it be easier to just make golf carts street legal? More room/carrying capacity, battery operated, etc.

:shrug:

[radfringe]

7. how's it run in the snow? northeast PA resident wants to know.... n/t

[DKRC]

9. Got me

How's it run in the "chunky rain", snow, & ice up here in the Seattle area, too? From the article I read they're thinking more for the big cities in the Asian markets.
You & I can just walk I guess.

[bridgit]

10. They should make one like the world's smallest snow-cat it'd be cool

[MADem]

13. Or bring over the Piaggio Ape --they're cheap and carry a lot! nt

[bridgit]

8. hahahahaha, Ding! You got it!

http://www.buynlarge.com/NewsCenter.html?storyId=27