How Pedal Cars Were Used in an Unique Experiment to Create Good Drivers

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Unique Characteristics of Low Rider Cars and Bikes

A low rider refers to a vehicle in which the suspension and hydraulic system was modified to make rides as low as it could. Low riders have controls with their height adjustable suspension. Most of these are typical cars from the year 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It has a lot of accessories out in the market to cater to the enthusiasts. And because of many modifications in its internal parts, such rides are more prone to damage or obstructions along the road and are not legally allowed to ply the streets.

Low riders started in East Los Angeles as a phenomenon for Mexican-Americans, with majority of its riders being Latinos. A customized hydraulic suspension system is very common features here. They have direct control on the suspension to alter the height, from simple to complex systems. It varies the combination of two battery-powered hydraulic pumps to produce specific movement of the vehicle.

Low riders were popularized and began as part of the Californian and Southwestern American metropolitan civilization. They aim to cruise as slow as possible as what their motto says, "Bajito y Suavecito" or "Low and Slow." Their urban culture became universal in the early 1990s in West Coast hip hop.

In today's new era, low riding outlook varies in many other cultures. Vehicles have new visual styles and appearance but still it is an important thing for the Chicano community. For all intents and purposes, all options in low riders are still available at low rider builders with their styles that vary from coast to coast.

Summertime is the most awaited season as it is the time when they go outside and hang around with their group. Some riders and tavern owners have their weekly gatherings together with their friends. Some will go for a drag race for a more thrilling experience. Low riders are typically seen in a prearranged shows or competitions.

In 1962, one of the most popular low rider was the 1964 Chevy Impala hardtop edition. Another model was the 1958 - 1964 Impalas. Meanwhile, the 1961 - 1964 Chevrolet Impala become the fastest selling car together with the 1978 - 88 GM G-bodies. Also hot in the market were the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Buick Regal and the Pontiac Grand Prix. The 1973 - 1977 relative edition became the entry level low riders.

During intense customization of low rider cars, some go by in restoring stock cars particularly those American cars in 1930s - 1960s. Other countries like the Volvo PV544, VW Beetle, Morris Minor, Ford Zodiac, Vauxhall Cresta, Vauxhall Victor to be their substitutes for American car because of the shortage of imported cars and its costs in producing new vehicles.

Low rider cars were only in for only a year when the bikers were inspired and customized their own bikes for a low ride too. These inspired bicycles, a well modified bike, features long, curved banana seats, upward - swept handlebars, and with sissy bars. It is excessively chromed up with big wheels and velvet use as common accessories of these customized two-wheel rides.

Low rider bikes first came out and were recognized in the 1960s. It was first seen customized by George Barris in America. After that, the Schwinn Co. introduced to the market the new muscle bike or the so-called Sting-Ray that George Barris first used. It was featured in the Munster.

Until now, low rider bikes are famous and popular with its new designs and distinctive looks, fully customized and modified body in addition to its air hydraulic cylinder. Features include a height adjustable suspension, highly refined chrome, metal frame, twisted forks, handlebars or spokes, sissy bars and the mounted 2-seater love seat

How Pedal Cars Were Used in an Unique Experiment to Create Good Drivers

It's amazing that pedal cars, which are now regarded as activity toys for young children, were once used in an educational experiment!

This actually happened in Arizona, where pedal cars were used in a unique experiment to educate children in road craft and traffic awareness.

In the classroom, teachers taught road sense and the laws of the highway code: how to obey the traffic signals as well as the obligatory Stop signs; they learnt that if you did not obey them you could cause an accident. Even in a pedal car a crash could happen if the rules were not adhered to! Traffic lights were another factor taught; always wait for the green light and do not go through a red light- also, Give Way signs, they were taught to be considerate drivers and not pushy drivers. The speed laws were not really applicable but they had to be taught; that you could not go too fast.

A local policeman came to the school and reviewed road safety. By making the sessions entertaining as well as educational the police became a friendly force whose word was to be trusted and respected.

The children had a town road grid set up in their playground, with traffic lights, road signs. T junctions, cross roads, and they behaved as on proper roads. This is where the rules of the classroom were put into practice, and they could become careful and considerate drivers understanding the laws of the road.

The children really loved these lessons and became very proficient at driving their pedal cars. However, some of the children were occasionally carried away with their enthusiasm and drove too fast and had some accidents, so these children were "Road hogs" and had to have the next day off on the bench to cool down! Even in a pedal car you can be a road menace!

Etiquette at road junctions, hand signals, learning how to overtake, reverse and turn the car- in fact all the rules of the road were looked at.The pedal car was found to be an ideal vehicle for such early driving lessons. It was discovered that when the child became old enough to drive a motor car they had good road knowledge and were able to adapt their knowledge onto the road in a motor car!

It would be an interesting experiment for today's children to make them aware of the dangers of the road and not just learn how to be a good pedestrian and cross the road carefully or be a good passenger by using the seat belt and not being too noisy in the back seat and distracting the driver- but by actually driving their own pedal car in a road set-up (not the actual road of course) they learnt the signals and rules of the road through play. The children of the 1950s were a very different generation, brought up on minimum TV and no computers, but today's children are still enthusiastic to learn grown up skills and the pedal car would seem to be an ideal way to teach them the skills of the road.

As the saying goes: teach the child you teach the man.