Family gets ready for Sunday drive in Zem Human Powered Vehicle
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Posted: July 18, 2006
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This picture and the previous one have been getting lots of national attention, and an incredible amount of completely undeserved snark. So if you see the beauty in it, more power to you. This is directed to the other folks.
First, this is not "child labor." The kids are loving it. It's a family outing. And as already noted, there is an electric assist motor for when the children behave like children and choose not to pedal.
Second, Rachel and Dean are not doing this with two athletic adult friends. Nope. They are hauling their entire family of four children, two of whom can't pedal, and two of whom do so only sometimes, along with a 300 pound vehicle and a Burley trailer. How about a little respect for athletic parenting? That's where the jokes about child labor have it exactly backwards, and that's why an electric assist motor is a good thing to have.
Third, when I consider all the overweight donut eating 'Mericans driving their lard asses around in planet-destroying SUVs I get just a little peeved when folks (and there are apparently a lot of you) make fun of the appearance of a family that is actually getting exercise, having fun together (family values anyone?) and doing something for the planet.
Fourth, a vehicle like this may very well be in your future and could be a lot of fun. This family is having a great time together. This family has found a unique transportation solution that some (not all) families might enjoy trying themselves.
Why is it that people mock something that is different?
"First they mock you, then they fight you... then they show up in the human powered vehicle show room."
I'm proud to live in Portland where people are actually thinking about the planet and changing the way they live. As for the rest of you, go read www.energybulletin.net for a week if you are up to the challenge, and then come back and laugh at the Mullin family and their vehicle if you still can do so.
Go in peace.
ORIGINAL PRE-SNARK TEXT (below)
With an SUV in the background, the Mullins get ready for a trip.
Their Zem is human powered, but Dean installed a small electric assist motor because children don't always want to pedal uphill.
The Mullins routinely travel with four children, one in the trailer, one in a sling, and two pedaling (when they feel like it) in the front.
Dean says his motto is "Burn fat, not oil."
As the oil begins to run out will you find yourself driving your family around in an electric assisted Human Powered Vehicle?
This picture and the previous one have been getting lots of national attention, and an incredible amount of completely undeserved snark. So if you see the beauty in it, more power to you. This is directed to the other folks.
First, this is not "child labor." The kids are loving it. It's a family outing. And as already noted, there is an electric assist motor for when the children behave like children and choose not to pedal.
Second, Rachel and Dean are not doing this with two athletic adult friends. Nope. They are hauling their entire family of four children, two of whom can't pedal, and two of whom do so only sometimes, along with a 300 pound vehicle and a Burley trailer. How about a little respect for athletic parenting? That's where the jokes about child labor have it exactly backwards, and that's why an electric assist motor is a good thing to have.
Third, when I consider all the overweight donut eating 'Mericans driving their lard asses around in planet-destroying SUVs I get just a little peeved when folks (and there are apparently a lot of you) make fun of the appearance of a family that is actually getting exercise, having fun together (family values anyone?) and doing something for the planet.
Fourth, a vehicle like this may very well be in your future and could be a lot of fun. This family is having a great time together. This family has found a unique transportation solution that some (not all) families might enjoy trying themselves.
Why is it that people mock something that is different?
"First they mock you, then they fight you... then they show up in the human powered vehicle show room."
I'm proud to live in Portland where people are actually thinking about the planet and changing the way they live. As for the rest of you, go read www.energybulletin.net for a week if you are up to the challenge, and then come back and laugh at the Mullin family and their vehicle if you still can do so.
Go in peace.
ORIGINAL PRE-SNARK TEXT (below)
With an SUV in the background, the Mullins get ready for a trip.
Their Zem is human powered, but Dean installed a small electric assist motor because children don't always want to pedal uphill.
The Mullins routinely travel with four children, one in the trailer, one in a sling, and two pedaling (when they feel like it) in the front.
Dean says his motto is "Burn fat, not oil."
As the oil begins to run out will you find yourself driving your family around in an electric assisted Human Powered Vehicle?
