Mitzva Tanks’ Greener Alternative

By COLlive reporter

It’s just like the Mitzvah Tank – just affordable, leaner and greener.

The iconic gas-guzzling motorhomes used by Chabad-Lubavitch since 1974 to spread Judaism on city streets around the world will soon be switched with a more practical version.

Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store, America’s oldest bicycle manufacturer, added the “Multipurpose Mitzvah Cycle” to its family of human-powered vehicles such as adult tricycles, delivery cycles and cargo bikes.

It is the brainchild of Levi Duchman, creator of the PediSukkah, a mobile bamboo-topped hut affixed to a pedi-cab that received rave reviews from the New York press.

Duchman, a yeshiva bochur from Crown Heights, has redesigned the bicycle known as the pedi-cab to be a user friendly, fun and practical vehicle for Mivtzoim all year-round.”

“It’s as simple as a bike, but at the same time, it is so much more than that,” he says, noting that he based the bike’s flexibility on his expediences helping Shluchim with his friends.

“The bike has an interchangeable table that can be used as a walk-in Tefillin booth or a stand for pamphlets, Shabbos candles, Megillah reading, Shalach Manos, Matzah delivering, cheese cake delivery or a kosher hot dog stand.”

The of the line tricycle comes with 4 expandable polls for multipurpose use as a flat low table or roof top, a personalized Sukkah banner wrap and bamboo mats, and a custom-made step stool.

The cost of the Mitzvah Cycle is $1,725 (shipping costs are not included).

Throughout the year Duchman will be also offering date-specific or holiday-related Mitzvah Cycle Banners. There’s also an option to design your own and have it printed by Echod Graphics at discounted prices.

Duchman says that dozens of Shluchim from across the US and Canada have already placed their orders and plan to put the Mitzvah Cycle into full use during the month of Tishrei.

The deadline for orders to have a Cycle ready for Rosh Hashana is this week. For more info, email [email protected]