Finally, a Mobile Phone that Fits on my Bike Trailer

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that headline, but this is actually a serious story about an interesting new concept in Nicaragua. From the Triple Pundit story:

Here in the US, we’re used to the near ubiquitous access to cell phones, with the possibility of thousands, if not unlimited minutes. But what if every phone in the US was prepaid? Such is the case in Nicaragua. There, people use their phones mainly to receive phone calls, or as address books to make calls at one of the numerous, more affordable “call shops” in the country. Brian Forde looked around, saw the prevalence of three wheeled bikes, carrying cargo, people, ice cream, and had an idea: create a pedal powered mobile version of the call shop, able to go wherever the people are.

The company, Llamadas Pedaleadas, makes the trailers using common parts for easy repair and maintenance. The electronics run off of a car battery that is charged through the pedal power of the bicycle (with a kick stand to raise the tire for stationary charging). Check out the video below to see it in action.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4PkPJuwMk&e 425 350]

We love seeing novel uses for bike trailers, especially when they involve social activism or environmental volunteering. If you know of any interesting stories like this or have an idea involving bike trailers that you need help promoting, please let us know.

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