Pentacycle

A pentacycle is a human-powered five-wheeled vehicle.

Origin

The original pentacycle was designed and patented by the architect Edward Burstow in 1882. It had a large central wheel directly driven by pedals like a penny-farthing bicycle, with a "bath-chair type handle", and four smaller wheels for stability. This arrangement led to it being referred to as the "hen and chickens" cycle, as it resembled a mother hen surrounded by her four chicks. It was trialled by rural postmen in Horsham and, although liked, the design was not widely adopted. There is a replica in the British Postal Museum.

Modern-day interpretation

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 disused Aérotrain monorail track near Orléans, 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.
In 2012, Sajjad Moosa, a Pakistani art graduate, spent almost creating a long pentacycle using a single front wheel for steering, a middle pair of wheels for drive and another pair at the rear.