If you want storage on your bike, a basket on the handlebars or a pannier setup on the back are the traditional options. Maker Ryan “Zieak” McFarland, however, decided to go a different route and attach a shopping cart to a bicycle to act as both the handlebars and front wheel (or wheels in this case).
The build shouldn’t be too hard for an experienced bicycle mechanic. One just has to attach the cart’s handle to a bike stem (the thing that normally attaches the handlebars to the rest of the bike), then — and this is important — attach the brake and gearshift assembly.
Though functional, McFarland reports that “it does not corner well.” Also, the lack of a front brake would be difficult for experienced bikers that are used to using it as their primary stopping method.
Regardless, for slow speed jaunts or even possibly parades or other spectator events, this should be an interesting ride. Perhaps grocery stores would even allow them inside their premises. For a somewhat different version of this idea, here’s the archived version of the project’s original inspiration.
Besides the referenced article, McFarland loves to repurpose things, and is inspired much of the time by the materials that he has available. Though he claims to be turning into a bit of a packrat, sometimes saving something pays off. Certainly this can be a balance, since you always seem to need the thing that you just threw out!
McFarland is quick to note that one shouldn’t steal carts for this purpose; the one he used was “floating around” in his downtown area before he decided to convert it. He also notes that he’s aware that his friend pictured in the instructables article (and riding the contraption in this short video clip) is wearing flip flops and no helmet, and that it isn’t very safe. With standard bikes, and especially something experimental like this, be sure to take all appropriate safety precautions!
[via Inspiration Green]
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