Video: Google Street View tricycle searches for Anita Ekberg

Awww, isn't Europe quaint? Those gas guzzling Google Street view cars in America have become tricycles on the twisted, cobbled streets of Europe. And by the looks of this rig, we wouldn't be surprised to find Google handing out gelato in order to placate the local luddites. Video and another picture after the break.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

[artissco @ May 19th 2009 4:57AM]

that's because you can't drive in old city districts in most Europe cities

[Newone @ May 19th 2009 5:53AM]

And there's a lot of pedestrian/bike only shopping streets in europe.

[j_g_puff @ May 19th 2009 5:56AM]

I wonder if they needed wider-angled lenses to capture the buildings from such narrow streets?

[OneLove @ May 19th 2009 10:17AM]

Europe! fuck yeah!

[Il_Baffo @ May 19th 2009 4:59AM]

OMG Tricycle FTW !!!

Primo!!1ONE1!!!1

[Il_Baffo @ May 19th 2009 5:00AM]

forgot to refresh the page before posting -.-''

[GoGoGadget @ May 19th 2009 5:44AM]

Congratulations!!!

[Jack Storm @ May 19th 2009 12:26PM]

Even if you would of really been number one you would of still been this really great failure in life that you are, so dont worry.

[math0ne @ May 19th 2009 4:59AM]

Cool, I live in Amsterdam which recently got Street View and I was wondering how they made it down all of the tiny alleys!

Here's there's so many crazy bikes people probably wouldn't even think that was odd.

[Jakob @ May 19th 2009 6:19AM]

Yep wondered the same for Copenhagen, some places a car just wouldn't fit :P

[Boards of Canada @ May 19th 2009 5:18AM]

Is it the same fountain as in The Dolce Vita? cant remember... in any case its beautiful.

Sad we dont do that kind of stuff anymore.

[Freakin Ijit @ May 19th 2009 6:11AM]

I was going to say - isn't that the infamous fountain within which thousands of couples have made love over the decades?

Street Level View indeed!

[chezzo @ May 19th 2009 6:14AM]

It's the Trevi fountain in Rome... quite famous, as fountains go!
It's said that if you throw a coin in over your shoulder, you'll return to Rome one day.

[angel.albadalejo @ May 19th 2009 6:15AM]

Yeah, it's the same one, the Trevi Fountain... a masterpiece...

[mex @ May 19th 2009 6:43AM]

Yes, is the fountain of Trevi, in Rome

US cinema killed italian cinema ;)

[Freakin Ijit @ May 19th 2009 8:42AM]

> ...It's said that if you throw a coin in over your shoulder, you'll return to Rome one day.

I did just that but have yet to return there - of all the countries I visited on a tour Italy was, by far, my favorite.

Loved the sites, the food, the people, too.

[ScottishDan @ May 19th 2009 11:40AM]

I too flipped one off over my shoulder (uh-em) and low and behold, 10 months later my gf took me on a surprise visit to Rome!
Good times :)

We broke up 3 days after we got back!
Bad times :(

[Fade2blac @ May 19th 2009 5:25AM]

My concerns...

1. That looks awfully heavy to tow around on a bicycle.
2. It looks like a mobile tornado warning tower.
3. If I were him, I wouldn't be wearing a "Google" shirt. That just screams expensive equipment that needs to be stolen.
4. How are those pictures going to look after all those crazy bumps?

[Newone @ May 19th 2009 5:50AM]

Also, that biker looks as unhip as you ca get, bad for company image. :)

[Wwhat @ May 19th 2009 5:52AM]

Google shirt prevents him from being accosted by cops and such though I would think.

[j_g_puff @ May 19th 2009 5:53AM]

3. He's probably packing a cloud-pistol and trained in hand-to-hand scuffling. I doubt any pirates would be able to ransack his shit.

[fanman @ May 19th 2009 6:22AM]

He's a diversion. The real camera is being used to photograph him.

[Newone @ May 19th 2009 8:32AM]

He reminded me of somebody, but took a bit time to remeber who.

Isn't he a spitting image of Elmer Fudd?

[MrCynical @ May 19th 2009 10:52AM]

Apparently the whole rig weighs 18 stone. I'm not sure what that converts to in proper measurements.

[Chromana @ May 19th 2009 11:20AM]

18st = 252 lb = 114kg

[SuperQ @ May 19th 2009 11:27AM]

It is heavy, about 200-250 pounds. If you look around you can find a blog post by some google people.

[MarClar @ May 19th 2009 5:44AM]

Yes it's the same, the Trevi fountain on Piazza di Trevi just off via della Stamperia in Rome. Love it.

[MarClar @ May 19th 2009 5:46AM]

That was meant to be directed @ Boards of Canada

[David @ May 19th 2009 5:53AM]

I loved the Trevi when I was in Rome. Amazing - a lot of Rome is amazing. Other than those who live there's moped driving skills.

[jer.miller @ May 19th 2009 9:13AM]

Don't worry, half the internet already replied saying the same thing

[Jon @ May 19th 2009 5:54AM]

haha, this is clever... but a few concerns from me:

1. wouldn't you see the bicycle helmet this guy's wearing?
2. if this were to happen in the UK, will he be stoned like the last time villagers chased away a google car?

[Wwhat @ May 19th 2009 5:55AM]

Any european would immediately see that must be an american, wearing a bike helmet, and not having a scooterengine on the thing while driving in italy.
They might have at least given him an electric engine because the thing looks decidedly uncomfortable to ride, and they got all the money.

[fistpittingnork @ May 19th 2009 8:32AM]

Though representing an American company, he's clearly not American.

Americans haven't worn denim cargo shorts since 1997.

[Patriks7 @ May 19th 2009 12:34PM]

"Americans haven't worn denim cargo shorts since 1997."

Hahaha. You must be kidding. I know tons of Americans that do, and no offense, but most Americans I know and have seen have the worst sense for fashion in the whole world.

[Wwhat @ May 19th 2009 1:47PM]

Well, might be true, he might be forced by google lawyers to wear the silly helmet.

[fistpittingnork @ May 19th 2009 3:38PM]

@ Patriks7,

Apparently the Americans you know still dress like Brad and Randy Taylor, so your statement is just. I, living in the middle of America, am surrounded by Americans and it's a rare sight to still see denim cargo shorts, Dr Martin boots, Old Navy rugby shirts, sweater vests, JNCOs, or Big Johnson, Chump, and No Fear t-shirts.

Of course I have an extensive collection of shirt.woot shirts, so who am I to judge fashion?

[barracuda @ May 19th 2009 5:57AM]

They need something electric because there are many streets on hills :)

[fanman @ May 19th 2009 6:23AM]

Or petrol. Europe is bigger than my living room.

[Wwhat @ May 19th 2009 1:48PM]

Ironically I bet half the weight of the thing is batteries.

[Andrew @ May 19th 2009 6:03AM]

Local luddities? What locals! I get your "funny" comment, but it's still on the other side of Europe! That's like talking about "local" Mexicans when in Canada!

[JTM @ May 19th 2009 9:24PM]

uh, luddite means someone who's anti-technology.

[Gav @ May 19th 2009 6:36AM]

Looks like he should be selling ice cream out the back of that thing.

[legalize it @ May 19th 2009 6:41AM]

i bet they're having a lot of fun in hong kong right now lol good luck getting all the roads in china! navigating is going to be a beezy.

[r3loaded @ May 19th 2009 9:41AM]

This is just for the places where cars can't go - do you really expect Google to do StreetView for China using just a bike? Actually, interesting concept, that would make a great documentary..

[ultimatepwnage @ May 19th 2009 6:52AM]

youtube HD, anyone?

[Bloo @ May 19th 2009 7:00AM]

Where do I apply? I would kill to be paid for biking around the streets of Europe.

[superhobo @ May 19th 2009 7:02AM]

I didn't think anyone would be embarrassed to work for Google...

[fredwifi @ May 19th 2009 7:03AM]

It's still possible to shoot crappy video in 2009?

[ms @ May 19th 2009 7:38AM]

come on this will be just for areas where cars are not alowed.

[Dr. Wreck @ May 19th 2009 9:05AM]

This video reminded me of "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode.