Hydrocycle

Man operating water tricycle, probably early 20th Century
A Hydrobike brand hydrocycle

A hydrocycle is a bicycle-like watercraft. The name was already in use in the late 1890s.[1]

Power is collected from the rider via a crank with pedals, as on a bicycle, and delivered to the water or the air via a propeller.[2] Seating may be upright or recumbent, and multiple riders may be accommodated in tandem or side-by-side.[3]

Buoyancy is provided by two or more pontoons or a single surfboard, and some have hydrofoils that can lift the flotation devices out of the water.[4][5][6]

Brands include Seacycle, Hydrobike, Water Bike, Seahorse (Cross Trek)[7] and itBike. Kits exist to temporarily convert an existing bicycle into a hydrocycle.[8]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary. hydrocycle n. [cycle n. 11] a velocipede adapted for propulsion on the surface of water. 1898 River & Coast 9 July 13/1 One of the most interesting items was the Hydrocycle versus Skiff Race.
  2. ↑ "Decavitator Human-Powered Hydrofoil". Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
  3. ↑ Alana Dixon (02/07/2011). "Upon the seat of a water-bicycle built for two". Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 2011-07-22. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ "Wetwing". Human Powered Hydrofoils. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  5. ↑ "Muskelbetriebene Tragflächenboote". FreakSport. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  6. ↑ Leo de Vries (21–22 July 2001). "Human Powered Boats World Championship in Eutin". World of Waterbiking. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  7. ↑ "Seahorse Bike Powered Airboat".
  8. ↑ Mike Hanlon. "Shuttle-Bike - convert a bike to a pedal-power boat". GizMag. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
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