Bike Pod is the term used to describe a pod dwelling towed by a bike. The pod serves as a dwelling, and contains all the features of a normal house except in a smaller package. A person sleeps in the pod and can use the pod as an office, a studio, or a gaming pad. Other uses for bike pods and pod houses are for naturalists, scientists, explorers and extreme sports enthusiasts who can take a lightweight, mobile dwelling with them rather than relying on the comparatively spartan accommodations of a tent.

The typical dimensions of a bike pod are 7 by 3.5 by 3.5 feet. This is just enough room to allow a person to lay down, sit up, and store basic necessary equipment. The typical weight of a pod is 70-150 pounds (empty). Once they are widely used, they can be lived in urban, suburban, rural and extreme environments, and they will provide their occupants with freedom of movement, financial freedom, and freedom from regulation.

Presently, 2 bike pods have been designed by Architect Merrill Ballantyne. The first prototype was constructed almost entirely out of found materials, including steel tubing, thin plywood, and other found materials. The second pod prototype used a higher technology approach and was constructed as using carbon fiber/foam composite. The second prototype was an amphibious bike pod that was designed mainly to be used as a seagoing sailing vessel, but also as a bike trailer with wheels recessed in wells.

Many pod style dwelling designs exist, and many commonly used vehicles are manufactured in ways which essentially can be classified as pod dwellings. Boats, RV's, Campers, and modified automobiles all can serve the functions of a dwelling. A bike pod differs from these products because it is much lighter, and designed around the human body at a much smaller scale with appropriately lighter construction.

References

Merrill Ballantyne architect web page.