Patent ID: 8328213

Claim:
A method of manually propelling a vehicle, the method comprising steps: obtaining an operator-powered vehicle, said operator-powered vehicle comprising: a frame having a forward end terminating at a front fork receptacle, and a rear end, said frame is defined having a central frame section located between said forward end and a seat, wherein said seat is attached to said frame; a front fork having a wheel supporting segment extending downward from said front fork receptacle; at least one leading wheel rotationally carried by said wheel supporting segment; at least one trailing wheel rotationally assembled to a trailing end of said vehicle; a pivot column pivotally engaging with said central frame section, rotating about a horizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said frame; at least one rotational drive gear engaged with at least one of said wheels; a propulsion system providing communication between said pivot column and said at least one rotational drive gear; pivoting said pivot column whereby said pivotal motion of said pivot column causes said propulsion system to apply a rotational torque to said at least one rotational drive gear, wherein said at least one rotational drive gear rotates said at least one of said wheels.