I\'ve seen very cheaply made versions of these in Vietnam about 4 years ago, was wondering when they\'ll make it over to the western countries.

I remember seeing wheelchairs propelled by two hand levers pushed forward and backward some 60-70 years ago.

nothing new about the system ; when i was a kid (in the 50\'s) a lot of war veteran in europe used the same kind of wheel chair ( maybe heavier than now)

I\'m pretty sure my friend\'s Quickie costs around $1600. Even that is very expensive compared to a bicycle. Why does this cost as much as a used car?

What a great idea! I watched an elderly woman try to negotiate a ramp the other day and she wasn\'t quick enough to keep the chair from rolling back almost as much as she had gained. A selectable ratchet device would be a big help there, but this push-pull (gandy-dancer) bar would be even better.

OMG! $5 grand? Is this theft legal? And if it is, how do I get in on this as an investment? I want tobe able to steal from people like this!

RE: the outragous expense of mobility devices. I\'m a wheelchair tech &, from my observation, I can tell you that one of the main reasons chairs are so expense is simple economics; there are few companies making few units (compared to, say, cars) & their manufacture is very labor intensive. Add to that the fact that, for the most part, they have to have customized & fitted seating systems as individual as people who must use them. Then, of course, there is the matter of the racket that is the US free-market health insurance system, with its graft & corruption... The main problem I see with the mechanics of this system is in transitioning; looks like things could get awkward. This looks more suited to paras that still have a lot of upper body control.

Wheelchair manufacturers need to standardize batteries so they can be solar PV charged. Using the free energy of the sun to assist the disabled should have been in place years ago. Fully charged batteries should be available at every business they travel to. Allow small businesses a generous subsidy for the solar installation expense, if used to assist the disabled. Allow the disabled a generous subsidy for solar power on their homes, so they can find financial relief from the medical expenses they incur. They should not have the expense of charging these batteries every month on their home power bill. Let the sun charge these batteries for free.

Reminds me of a 19th century railway pump car.

Jean Lacombe, can you post a link to the chair from the 50\'s?
Ed, it\'s only theft if you don\'t give somebody the product after they purchase it.
This looks like it\'s meant to be a bicycle for the disabled, which is an awesome idea!