In the UK you can drive a light quadricycle on a motorcycle licence. There’s not much to these vehicles so this begs the question – could you actually just make one? I’m thinking pretty much on the kitchen table and using just regular hand tools.

Here the body has a frame made with these aluminium extrusions.

The ‘T’ slots enable panels of polycarbonate and plywood to be easily bolted on or slotted in. With a side profile of 1.2m x 1.2m at this stage it is still easily lifted off the kitchen table and with a plastic chair inside you can already sit in it. What makes it go?

There are loads of ads for electric hub motors for scooters and a pair of these at the back would be perfect. Failing that, a pair of decapitated scooters bolted to the floor would provide power and batteries all in one go. Just make sure you don’t exceed 6kW if you want to keep to a simpler light quadricycle. At the front you could use go-kart parts to provide brakes and steering although the front wheels you chopped off your scooters might do. Even better might be a ready made cyclekart front axle – see link below.

Lights? Just bike stuff, even torches. Speedo? Phone. Wipers? Nah, just prop open the screen. Suspension? Possibly not needed at such low speeds but tennis balls make cheap springs. Luggage? Box at the back doubles as a seat.

So, lots of ideas that might provide inspiration for a fun project and ultimately make the school run interesting and economical.

Further ideas on http://www.cyclekartsgb.com/

You might find it hard to tear yourself away from the cyclekart web site. If you are inspired in this direction have a look at the OriginalTwist 3-wheeler here which might tie in nicely. A cyclekart Morgan F4; now there’s an idea. My first car was an F4; great fun.