A kickbike (bikeboard, footbike, pedicycle) is a type of kick scooter (also referred to as a push-scooter or scooter) and is a human-powered street vehicle with a handlebar, deck, and wheels propelled by a rider pushing off the ground.[1] The kickbike often has a large standard size bicycle front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel, which allows for a much faster ride.
The modern kickbike was developed in the early 1990s by Hannu Vierikko who was active at the time in kicksled racing.[2] (A kicksled is a type of human powered sled that is in common use in Scandinavia.) In 1994 Vierikko founded Kickbike Worldwide in Finland to produce and market kickbikes.[3] [4]
Amish communities also use kickbikes in preference to bicycles,[5] [6] for several reasons, including the safety and unaffordability of early bicycles, and the risk of gearing mechanisms as a source of vanity.[7] Kickbikes can be used for dryland mushing, also called "dog scootering."[8]
Some former world champions include Jan Vlasek and Alpo Kuusisto.[9]