What is a LIV: An Illustrated Guide

aLIVe: a Low Impact Vehicle exploration

In general, a LIV:

  • is designed around the human body.
  • has minimal impact in case of collision.
  • has a standard operating speed of 20 mph or less.
  • has a small carbon footprint to manufacture and operate.
  • has a small land-use footprint-it does not take up much space to drive or store.
  • promotes the use of mass transit by providing an effective way to complete trips

Vehicles that are designed around the traditional parameters-high speed, steel-to-steel collisions-are not LIVs, even if they are micro vehicles using alternative fuel sources. While these vehicles have benefits, they could still cause significant injury to a pedestrian. A motorized scooter is also not a LIV for the same reason, but mobility scooters probably would qualify, and push scooters are a LIV.

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The Mitka Trike is a LIV because in electric mode it can go 15 mph. The rider can increase this speed slightly by pedaling.

Mitka_nike

The Peraves Ecomobile is NOT a LIV because it reaches a top speed of 202 mph.

Ecomobile_Turbo

The Buscycle ethos is definitely A LIV: “redefining how we move as a culture.”

busycle

Rebar’s PARKcycle reframes the right-of-way as green space, not just a car space. Rebar is the San Francisco art and design collective that originally created PARK(ing) Day.

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Mercedes’ F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 15 mph and achieves an operating range of 217 miles.

Artists Lucy and Jorge Orta “aim to challenge social and environmental agendas and issues that continue to affect sustainable development.” (image credit: OrtaWater – Antarctica Fluvial Intervention Unit, copyright Lucy + Jorge Orta, 2005. Ref: 1357)

aLIVe explores the following:

- Fully functional LIV prototypes
- LIV works-in-progress
- LIV design only
- LIV metaphor-based art
- Bicycles-but only if they are new or rare designs that are not widely marketed.
- Outerwear to protect LIV users from weather and accidents – but again, only if it is an innovative, unusual design that is not already on the market. Fashionistas, hear our call!

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