Odd Alternative Transportation Options from Around the World

People travel in different ways around the globe. Even from location to location there can be differences, even oddities. Some of these oddities are cultural, some are based on advances to technology. No matter what they all make great images and conversation starters, and if you are lucky enough you may be able to spot them on your next trip.

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Portugal & Frankfurt

The Peugeot Design Contest in 2005 was won by a Portuguese designer, Andre Costa, for his design of an electric car called “The Moovie.” André Costa stated,

“What shaped the visual look on the vehicle was the two big electric wheels with hollow rim, these wheels are hollow in the middle, this is where the doors of the car are located, the vehicle has like this big doors allowing the users to have enough space to enter and exit the vehicle.

The big wheels have a reason behind it, the bigger the wheel less turns it has to make to travel, less turns less energy expended. The front of the vehicle is supported by two spheres, these are purely for support, the car turns by a system that makes one electric wheel go faster then the other, this system allows the vehicle in some cases to make 360º turns which is great for parking and moving in small city streets. Also and to enhance the stability of the vehicle, the wheels make an angle of about 10º closing on the top. The two big round doors slide along the side-front of the car to waste less space in small parking spaces, allowing a better exit at all times. The review mirrors fold up to avoid touching the doors during the side slide.”

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United Kingdom

Citymobil is a project that is looking to replace buses and cars with driverless forms of vehicular transport. Currently, the project is being slated for London as well as Spain and Rome. The main concept behind the project is to get rid of some of the issues human drivers bring to commuting. From the Citymobil coordinators:

“The overall objective of this project is to achieve a more effective organization of urban transport, resulting in a more rational use of motorized traffic with less congestion and pollution, safer driving, a higher quality of living and an enhanced integration with spatial development. This objective is brought closer by developing integrated traffic solutions: advanced concepts for innovative autonomous and automated road vehicles for passengers and goods, embedded in an advanced spatial setting. The city of tomorrow is in need of integrated traffic solutions that provide the required mobility in an efficient, safe and economic manner.”

Andy Tyler a 35 year old microlight instructor from Beccles, Suffolk, built the gas and liquid fuel pulse jet strapped to the shopping cart below from instructions off the internet. He pulled the trolley from a river, and added 50 pounds on scrap wheels, brakes and a steering device. Suffolk, said:

“It can’t go on roads, runs out of fuel after two minutes and at over 50mph becomes unstable. People think I’m off my trolley but it’s exhilarating.”

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Budapest

Budapest is a city the loves its bicyclists. It currently has 170 KM of pathways just for those riding bikes throughout the city, and aims to nearly double that.

This gentleman takes advantage of those pathways with his ultra-retro bicycle, which sports a front wheel that goliaths the rear.

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India

The second most populous country in the world has a major public transportation crisis. The massive movement of the population to urban centers has not aided the issue. To travel in India, you have to be willing to take a seat, or simply hang on, where you can.

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Japan

Japan is renowned for its weird inventions, and the Melody Road, about 100 km North of Tokyo, is no exception. A car on The Melody Road is able to play a simple tune, which is made audible by ridges on the road’s surface. The pitch of the note created is increased by increasing the frequency of the ridges, and the opposite is also true.

If the Melody Road isn’t for you, how about using a motorized panda bear to get about?

Japanese inventors have also created this prototype wooden electric car in Kyoto, Japan. The buggy, which has bamboo-weave doors, has a range of 10km can hit 30mph.

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Taiwan

Maybe it isn’t a means of transport yet, but these guys are one step from saddling sharks and riding them. I am not sure about swimming with sharks, but I am sure riding sharks makes you a loon.

This guy isn’t Taiwanese, he is just crazy.

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China

The pictures are from Qinhuangdao, a beautiful port city in Hebei Province. The truck turned whatchamacallit (street sweeper) carries more than a dozen brooms, which rotate with the axle to take care of cleaning.

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Philippines

These bicycles are more scooters than true bicycles. The rider pushes himself with his feet. The wheeled vehicles are made with whatever wood with the rider can find. These wooden bicycles are ridden in the Banaue region of the Philippines. During an annual festival celebrating the culture of the regional tribes.

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Pakistan

Like neighboring India, Pakistan has some issues with the amount of transportation per capita. Only they do it a little more colorful.

This bus is just jacked up. But to its credit it keeps going.

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USA

America apparently has an obsession with making things jet powered. Bill Decambre built the ‘rocket recliner’ below and showed it of at the 2002 Reno Air Races. It looks comfortable, but you’d best come to terms with the idea of death before turning on the engine.

Mike West Built and the Cra- Z – Boy match the feat.

Mechanic Paul Sender spent $5,000 building the world’s fastest port-o-let. It can go up to 70mp and sends a 30-foot fireball streaming out behind it. Only American would want to defy death while making their business.

This crazy contraption, an arachnid motorized vehicle was found at the Burning Man Festival. I am sure more than a few hippies had a hard time explaining what they saw.

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West Sahara

West Sahara suffers from a lack of transportation, but it has nothing to do with the population, it is overt scarcity.

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La Paz

This is an interesting way to see South America.

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Canada

The Uno is a self-balancing motorcycle that uses a pair of gyroscopes to constantly keep its rider upright. Designed by 18-year old inventor Ben J. Poss Gulak (and built with the help of a team of bike builders and engineers), the 120-pound motorcycle is so easy to ride, its only control is a single on-off switch. To ride forward, lean forward, to reverse, simply lean back. The degree to which you lean increases or decreases your velocity. By using a pair of wheels, the bike can also make turns based on your side-to-side movements.

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Iceland

Here we find an amphibious bus used to give tours in Iceland. Either by land or sea.