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Apentacycle ("hen and chickens") is ahuman-powered five-wheeled vehicle.
The original pentacycle was designed and patented by the architectEdward Burstow in 1882.[1][2] It had a large central wheel directly driven by pedals like apenny-farthing bicycle, with a "bath-chair type handle", and four smaller wheels for stability.[2] This arrangement led to it being referred to as the "hen and chickens" cycle, as it resembled a motherhen surrounded by her four chicks. It was trialled by rural postmen inHorsham and, although liked, the design was not widely adopted.[1] There is a replica in theBritish Postal Museum.[3]
Modern-day pentacycles do not often share the same layout as the original pentacycle, usually using various other wheel configurations.
A 2002 interpretation, specifically designed to use the disusedAérotrain monorail track nearOrléans, is more accurately described as a tricycle; although it has five wheels, two are actually used for guidance and are placed on either side of the monorail support.[4][better source needed]
In 2012, Sajjad Moosa, aPakistani art graduate, spent almost₹150,000 (US$1,800) creating a 48 foot (15 m) long pentacycle using a single front wheel for steering, a middle pair of wheels for drive and another pair at the rear.[5]
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| Utility and slow recreation | |
| Sports-related cycling and fast-paced recreation | |
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