TerraCab confessions

Emission-free TerraCabs could hit Seattle streets at no cost to you, or the planet 6

TerraCabsLookin’ for a free ride this summer? Meet the TerraCab.

This curious-looking fleet of teardrop-shaped vehicles could soon hit Seattle streets in search of ped-weary passengers. But they don’t plan to peddle greenhouse gases. TerraCabs are emission-free—powered solely by pedalers, aside from a small rechargeable battery for headlights and hill-assistance.

They are also intended to be free-free, as in cost you not a dime. How is this possible? Say their PR folks, “forward-thinking companies sponsor them,” which means they are painted with ads and drivers may hand out samples or coupons as you hop on. That’s the idea, anyway. Unfortunately, they don’t have the corporate sponsorship necessary to put any TerraCabs on the, er, terra in time for the planned Earth Day launch.

Once they do, however (tell all your corporate-flack friends!), they plan to be up and running (er, pedaling) Wednesdays through Sundays—with routes in Belltown, Pioneer Square, Sodo, and along the waterfront—all summer.

And for those of you who need free rides even more than some, consider conditioning your calves: TerraCab is hiring personalities with pedal-powered stamina.

Sarah van Schagen is Grist’s Seattle editor.

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  1. MeredithBanks Posted 11:59 am
    21 Apr 2009

    they are soo cute. Im gonna go to seattle just to ride in these.

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  2. sindark's avatar

    sindark Posted 1:42 pm
    21 Apr 2009

    How does the hill-assistance system work? Presumably, an electric motor would require a lot more power than the headlights.

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  3. kim1958 Posted 1:48 pm
    25 Apr 2009

    Its all fun until someone plows into you with a pickup truck.racing homing pigeon club

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  4. scarletlew Posted 6:37 pm
    27 Apr 2009

    It looks really cool. When I go to Seattle. i'll make sure to have some time to ride one of those. -bavarian motor works

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  5. paulcleese Posted 7:48 pm
    28 Apr 2009

    Thes would be great. I hope they do come here. I would love to have a go

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  6. danielthompson Posted 2:16 am
    04 May 2009

    These are a great concept. They look OK. They will save the enviroment, and i just want to test drive one hahahaha

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