quadricycle

A quadricycle is a four-wheeled vehicle used for personal transport. The term covers both pedal-powered four-wheeled cycles and small motorized cars. Quadricycles are generally lighter and slower than conventional cars and may be subject to different licensing, safety, and insurance rules. They can accommodate one to four occupants and may be built on bicycle-like frames or purpose-built, car-like chassis.

The word has long described four-wheeled pedal cycles dating from the 19th century. Henry Ford's 1896 Quadricycle is a landmark, widely cited as Ford's first automobile; it demonstrated a four-wheeled, gasoline-powered vehicle on a simple wooden frame. In later decades, motorized quadricycles emerged in urban transport, and in Europe some small four-wheeled vehicles are classified specifically as quadricycles for regulatory purposes.

Types include pedal quadricycles, which are human-powered, and motorized quadricycles, which use electric or internal-combustion propulsion. Electric examples are common in city fleets and consumer models, such as the Renault Twizy, a two-seat electric quadricycle. Some producers build microcars intended for urban use and qualifying as quadricycles under local rules.

Designs vary from open, bicycle-like configurations to enclosed, car-like cabins. Common features include four wheels, compact dimensions, and simplified safety systems compared with larger cars. Regulations governing quadricycles differ widely by jurisdiction, influencing licensing, speed limits, and required safety equipment.