The dog powered recumbent trike

First came the dog-powered scooter, now inventor Mark Schuette has developed a dog-powered recumbent trike that employs the same "dog behind a steering wheel" configuration with the added stability offered by a sit-down trike design and twice the steering power and braking power of the scooter.

The original scooter enables the human to ride standing up whilst the dog is harnessed into a frame and subject to steering and braking. As the scooter requires the rider to stand upright and balance it was not particularly appealing to some users (such as the elderly or physically handicapped). The new trike adopts a Tadpole design (two wheels in front) and has a harness space for a dog on each side of the rear wheels. Schuette’s inventions are the first dog pulled devices to place the dog behind a steering wheel. This is designed to give the rider precision steering control of the dog making it easier and safer to ride in an urban environment.

Although it has space for two dogs, the trike can be powered by just one. Additionally, the human assistance via pedaling offers a smoother ride than the kicking method on the scooter. It weighs about the same as a standard bicycle and takes only a small amount of pull/force to keep a steady speed once the rider pedals to get the vehicle rolling. The design of the trike also lends itself to mounting a hand crank method of propulsion, an attractive option for wheel chair athletes who need to use their hands/arms.

The trike, including a fender kit which protect pooch from coming into contact with the rear spokes, retails for USD$1100 plus shipping (around $150) and is available via the Dog-powered scooter website. The bolt-on dog rigging kit costs USD$200 per dog.

taken from Giz Mag

 

Re: The dog-powered recumbent trike

ha, ha, ho, ho, he, he :rolf2: Talk about wide-eyed! :yikes:

 

Re: The dog-powered recumbent trike

Sounds like you'd be needing Knobby tires then, and maybe a mudflap or two as well!

 

Urban Mushing: Inventor Creates Dog-Behind-The-Wheel Power And A New Sport

I never thought that dogs and drivers might have "issues" with dog sleds. But inventor Mark Schuette from Bend, Oregon says mushing can create steering battles because the dogs are in front of the riders and, therefore, have the ultimate steering control. That's why Schuette invented the first dog-behind-the-wheel Dog Powered Scooter, Dog Powered Trike, TrikeBike, and Dog Powered Skateboard, that put the dog behind the wheel instead of in front of it. Read on and see how you can urban mush your dogs.

Urban mushing with a Dog Powered Skooter is very stable, whether you have one or four dogs powering it. But note that none of these dogs arechihuahuas!

©DogPoweredSkateboard

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Urban mushing with a Dog Pulled Recumbent Trike is very exciting. The Trike can also be fitted with equipment for up to four dogs and, though Schuette only outfitted the Trike, he likes this particular model for its stability, sports car handling, and powerful steering and braking systems.


©DogPoweredSkateboard

For you sissies, you can mush the Dog Powered Bike Trike that can go off-road. Shuette calls his Bike Trike the "ultimate rig for up to 4 big strong dogs."

©DogPoweredSkateboard

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Finally, the Dog Powered Skateboard is an urban mushing vehicle only for the best skaters. Remember, skateboards don't have brakes. Fortunately the Dog Powered Skateboard only accommodates 2 dogs, 2 more than I personally would want powering my skateboard. But yes, my speed is the TrikeBike.

©DogPoweredSkateboard

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Schuette says his behind-the-wheel dog pull fittings not only give mushers more steering control, but require very little dog training. He has a long list of do's and don'ts that focus on dog safety during dog-pulling.

Find out all there is to know from Mark Schuette himself at DogPoweredScooter.com.

source InventorSpot

 

Janet!

Take a look at this thread: The dog-powered recumbent trike for some ideas. Now merged with this thread!