7-seat bicycle

September 24, 2004 7:23 PM

The Conference Bike - It's not just a bike. It's a party on wheels.
posted by dobbs (14 comments total)

Geeze. It's a tandem with one captian and six stokers.

"On your left!"
posted by eriko at 7:25 PM on September 24, 2004

I smell Team Building Exercise!
posted by tommasz at 7:33 PM on September 24, 2004

GREAT. Something else at work to dread!
posted by Peter H at 7:37 PM on September 24, 2004

I've seen them on the streets of NYC, and they've always seemed to be occupied by tourists (and a guide) rather than office drones and a PHB. That may or may not be less scary, depending on your point of view.
posted by Zonker at 8:04 PM on September 24, 2004

Can the six people not steering drink while they pedal? I mean, otherwise, what's the point?
posted by fenriq at 8:08 PM on September 24, 2004

it's like there's a party on my bike and everyone's invited.
posted by graventy at 8:09 PM on September 24, 2004

I remember seeing these somewhere at least a few years ago, if not more, and even then I found the circular seating arrangement to be just plain stupid. If it had to be circular, at least have the seats pointing outward so you can see the scenery.

I just can't see riding sideways or almost backwards as being very comfortable, but I'm used to riding pretty fast, and facing forward.

The same company does some other multiperson bikes, though, and the inward-facing circle of seats is certainly an intentional design intended to make communication easier, and creepy things like "team building".
posted by loquacious at 10:26 PM on September 24, 2004

Well ... um ... eh ... at least you can be reasonably sure no one will steal it.
posted by RavinDave at 11:03 PM on September 24, 2004

I think everyone should have a steering wheel. Deciding where to go should be a group decision.
posted by Galvatron at 4:43 AM on September 25, 2004

I've seen this here on the streets in NYC, too.

These things barely move and they're HUGE. And, of course, they are ridden by tourists so they're pedaling around Times Square and the like. As soon as the horribly inevitable happens -- one of them is hit by a speeding cab, resulting in multiple injuries -- that'll be the end of their use here.

"It's not just a bike. It's a traffic hazard!"
posted by papercake at 6:29 AM on September 25, 2004

That must be the most absurd thing I have ever seen. That video has the feel of one of those 50's era moviereels. I can just see people in the year 2050 watching in and thinking: "Wow, look at some of the stupid shit they came up with."

Then again if I ever did ride one I would probably think it was a hoot to be doing something so silly.
posted by daHIFI at 7:27 AM on September 25, 2004

the video is pretty funny, that 50s era cheesy music... I can't tell if it's meant to be self-mocking or not.

Geeze. It's a tandem with one captian and six stokers.

I thought tandems were in a line... I assumed that's what this was, but the circular thing is pretty weird. It makes more sense than those "pedicabs" though, which seem to go about 3 miles an hour and which I can't imagine riding in because I'd feel bad for the workhorse moving us, even knowing people who've done it and love the exercise etc.

anyway, yeah, no way this has anything beyond novelty value, but - well, I guess that's why they're for tourists.
posted by mdn at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2004

I see these obnoxious things in Times Square every day. I thought there was only one of them. Darn.
posted by bingo at 2:23 PM on September 26, 2004

This bike: it lowers inhibitions?

On preview: doth one need to don gay apparel to ride it?
posted by Ogre Lawless at 9:05 PM on September 27, 2004