A hydrocycle is a bicycle-like watercraft. The concept was known in the 1870s as a water velocipede1 and the name was in use by the late 1890s.2
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.3 Seating may be upright or recumbent, and multiple riders may be accommodated in tandem or side-by-side.4
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.567
Brands include Seacycle, Hydrobike, Water Bike, Seahorse (Cross Trek)8, and itBike. Kits exist to temporarily convert an existing bicycle into a hydrocycle.9
References
References
- Edward H. Knight, Knight's American mechanical dictionary ... (New York : Hurd and Houghton, 1877), vol. 3, p. 2698
- 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.
- "Decavitator Human-Powered Hydrofoil". Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- Alana Dixon (2011-07-02). "Upon the seat of a water-bicycle built for two". Fairfax New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 2011-07-22.
- "Wetwing". Human Powered Hydrofoils. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- "Muskelbetriebene Tragflächenboote". FreakSport. Archived from the original on 2011-11-17. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- Leo de Vries (21–22 July 2001). "Human Powered Boats World Championship in Eutin". World of Waterbiking. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- "Seahorse Bike Powered Airboat".
- Mike Hanlon (June 4, 2004). "Shuttle-Bike - convert a bike to a pedal-power boat". GizMag. Retrieved 2011-06-24.