Observed on Commonwealth Ave., Back Bay, Boston:
As best as I can tell, this thing has an engine (it’s not foot-powered), and it’s solar powered. If so, that means it doesn’t smell like a lawnmower (i.e., fumes) when it goes by. Wonder if it’s more quiet too…
mikethemadbiologist
I’d be concerned that the glass on the solar panel would crack.
But boy howdy, you could put an electric motor on a bicycle and put smaller solar panels on the back using a luggage rack, and probably “saddle bag” solar panels too.
Electric motors tend to be extremely quiet (unless they’re misdesigned or in need of repair), so this might actually be a tolerable thing for someone to ride.
I’m a little confused though as to why you’d put the solar panels where the person would stand. Isn’t that gonna decrease the effectiveness a tad?