Mahoning Valley Forum

Coming in the future, am electric-charging real bicycle wheel:
http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/this-ground-breaking-invention-just-may-be-about-to-revolutionise-commuter-cycling-forever/ (http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/this-ground-breaking-invention-just-may-be-about-to-revolutionise-commuter-cycling-forever/)

Now that's an idea I could buy into Mr. Billy, indeed I could, (if I had a bike), but it might also help friend Jay put more cash into his pocket by saving on gas money. He could mount one of these wheels on a bike and do more of his traveling by riding a bike.
Great post Mr. Billy.

Amazing.... as the time-honored saying goes: "What will they think of next?"



lol. :p

Billy,   Check this out.

Where are the doors? What are the safety features?

It's basically a tricycle with an enclosure and an electric motor.

The founder and CEO of the company said he would like to see this vehicle built in other downtowns across the globe.

Another short video featuring the founder.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWeYsrfNK8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWeYsrfNK8)

It's a slick ride for a bike I do say, but my coincern is it's safety on a street like Belmont Avenue where the traffic is heavy. I could see myself using one to do shopping for small items at Union Square Plaza, but would be afraid to take it onto Belmont Avenue to do my banking.

I agree that cycling on a major thoroughfare can be risky, without any bike lanes.  The
three wheel design, however, and the fact that the machine does at least have an
exterior body shell means that it offers more protection to the operator than
a standard bicycle.

Falling off of a bicycle could cause injuries to anyone especially the elderly.  The tricycle aspect of the Elf gives stability.  It would be very difficult to tip it over.

If Youngstown is truly rebuilding with a new vision, it would be nice if the new mayor would propose creating user-friendly bike lanes for commuters. :laugh:

Yes Billy, show us how to pay for it?

Fracking/injection well money from the gas/oil shale boom you keep writing about?

Very good Billy I like it!
You know the Poland park got all kinds of free money for new sewer systems from Hilcorp tens of thousands just recently.
People!  Billy has a great idea and I am so happy I will follow him. 
We ask our leaders to meet the Frackers for donations to build a green bike path, excellent idea, something I would do.  I'm in, who is in?, I will help NOW!

Jay, in the real world, it's not a question of stability, but a question of safety on streets like Belmont Avenue where most of us living here on the North Side travel to do our business. To be perfectly honest, I do not see people attempting to travel there on bikes even on the sidewalks.
Now they could use 5th Avenue extension most of the way say to Liberty Plaza but beyond that sooner or later they would have to get onto Belmont Avenue.
Nor is it a question of age, for if a senior is capable of riding a bike, they are aware of bike safety and follow the rules. The question is that these Trikes were never meant to be used on roads like Belmont Avenue or 224 or for that matter the freeways. Around town yes, but not on roads that have heavy traffic like the above mentioned, and unfortunately, here in Youngstown at least, most of the businesses we need to use are not inside the city proper.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to these trikes, or even putting them down, for they do have their use. Example, they would be great for students at YSU, and would solve the parking problems for the University.

There are several things to take into consideration with regard to bike lanes. 

Most side streets in Youngstown are about 40 or 50 feet wide, with 8 or 10 foot wide
traffic lanes and curbside parking lanes of about 8 or 10 feet in width.  To make bike
lanes the city would have to check the width of every street along the proposed route
to make sure there is enough room to accomodate bike lanes.

Most of the bike lanes in my area are wide enough for two regular riders to ride
abreast of one another, but the electric model we're discussing here is obviously
much wider.


They would also have to consider how heavy the traffic is along each proposed route
and the corresponding safety factors.

It would be wise to run the bike lanes to popular areas along less-busy side streets,
where feasible.   Most major thorofares require a shoulder area for emergency use
as well.

For example, a bike lane to Liberty Plaza could run along Fifth Ave extension and use
quieter back streets in Liberty Township to the rear entrance of the plaza.  Elm street
from YSU to Gypsy Lane would be a good bike route, a bike lane for Wick Park would
be a nice addition.

Billy, Billy, where are you, time to go to work!  You claim you can't find work and yet the Mexicans and immigrants have no problem finding work.   Let's go, you can't just sit behind the computer all day getting fat.  C'mon  , you are just sucking up and wasting energy sitting on your butt.
I want a bike trail and the energy companies are waiting for the Frackpots to come to work, any work. :)

How can I help? I'm just a nobody. I'm not a politician or anybody the movers or shakers would listen to.

Billy, that's the wrong attitude to take about yourself. You are not just a nobody.
Thanks to a very good friend (Dan Ryan) I found my nitch in life and for 22 years published a newsletter that was used by radio talk show hosts, built a web site, edited a history of Youngstown, and had articles published. I accomplished all this while holding down a full time job.
If I could do all that, you can do that and much more if you just make up your mind and try.

I'm just a simple soul. I have no clout.

Billy, God gives all of us gifts, and He expects us to use them. You , like everyone else are no exception. Aside from your posts, I do not know you, but I do know that you, like everyone else have special interests that you enjoy, and many have taken those special interests and developed upon them.
My high school English teacher saw that I had a special talent for taking a historical news event and analizing it in the form of a 35 page term paper, and while I left that talent dorment for a number of years, Mr. Ryan reminded me of that talent and brought it back out.
I'll bet that you have one thing that really interests you to the point that you could really discuss it with authority, and could find a reseptive audience if you will only try, but simply putting yourself down and not making the effort, does no one any good.

Why does this thread sound like something in the Wizard of Oz? :)

QuoteIf Youngstown is truly rebuilding with a new vision, it would be nice if the new mayor would propose creating user-friendly bike lanes for commuters.

Although not designated as such, Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown has a west bound lane marked at the side of the road.  It may be for parking purposes.  I've seen people in motorized wheel chairs using this lane while traveling east and west.

Are you trying to imply that I'm the Wicked Witch of the West Ron?
And BTW I found two different vocal versions of the song I spoke to you about.

 :) I'll give you a hint "courage."

Ahhh shucks ... (said with the beat of Gene Krupa drumming to Sing Sing Sing pounding in my ear).

I prefer Elvin Jones (Coletrain) to Kruppa.  Kruppa was big band while Jones touched the face of God with Coletrain.  Listen to "out-of-this-world."

That my friend is why music is so great ... each one of us can find a style that they enjoy, and still be friends.
Now, back to the topic ... sorry to have gotten sidetracked, but hey, I'm old, and old folks are prone to get sidetracked now and then ... err what were we talking about?
Oh yes, three wheel trike/cars.
The question I would ask is ... would a person buying one of these trike/cars have to get a license for them in order to ride them on the roads, and if so, what kind of license would they have to get?

Billy! snap out of it!  Man up for heaven's sake!  You have clout, you have energy, you have courage, use it!  It is deep inside you, yes we all have energy to power our production.  Stop cowarding away!
Clout?  you , a person who I don't even know, produced enough energy albeit negative to "cause and effect," the shrimpman who yesterday just successfully negotiated one of the largest mineral transfers in the Utica shale, to give Billy the time of day.  Wake up you fool, you have as much clout and energy as everyone else!  Now go and produce this bike trail and lead us to progress.  I will provide the contacts and support.  Hell, I'll even garner a budget for your expenses.  :)

My life is as gloomy as today's weather. Thanks for trying to lift me up. Much appreciated.

Quote would a person buying one of these trike/cars have to get a license for them in order to ride them on the roads, and if so, what kind of license would they have to get?

According to the founder, the Elf can legally go anywhere a bike goes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWeYsrfNK8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqWeYsrfNK8)

We understand that part Jay, that is not at issue here, it's a given, but what kind of license would it have to have since it's really not a bicycle, nor is it a motorcycle or a car. You can rest confidently assured that the state will find a way to regulate these trike/cars just as they regulate other vehicles.

In years past, the City of Youngstown issued bicycle license plates.  That program was discontinued many decades ago.

But what about the future if this trike/car catches on? Never under estimate the politicians when it comes to finding new ways to pick your pocket.