Human-powered transport is transport powered by human muscle.

Along with animal-powered transport, also in existence since time immemorial, it includes some of the first instances of transport before machines, relatively recent products of culture, although machines have been used to enhance human-powered movement, which is often still used by choice, as in sport, exercise, or therapy, or can still be the only (reliable) power source, especially in underdeveloped or inaccessible regions.

Available muscle power

The average "in-shape" cyclist can produce about 3 watts/kg for more than an hour (e.g., around 200 watts for a 70 kg rider), with top amateurs producing 5 watts/kg and elite athletes achieving 6 watts/kg for similar lengths of time. Elite track sprinters are able to attain an instantaneous maximum output of around 2,000 watts, or in excess of 25 watts/kg; elite road cyclists may produce 1,600 to 1,700 watts as an instantaneous maximum in their burst to the finish line at the end of a five-hour long road race.

Types

Human movement using only one's own body

• Walking
• Swimming and diving
• Climbing as in alpinism and abseiling

Human self-movement using object(s) and sheer muscle power

• Cycling uses a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle or similar wheeled vehicle, including collective variatons such as tandem bicycle and side-car
• Canoeing
• Ice skating
• Roller skating
• Rowing
• Kick scooter
• Skateboarding
• Skiing

Human self-movement using object(s), muscle power and a natural force

Here the human effort is not dominant in the actual locomotion, but essential in steering, and often take-off.

• Glider
• Sailing
• Surfing
• Wind surfing

Human transport of others and/or load using object(s) and muscle power

• Litters, e.g. Sedan chair
• Rickshaw
• Stretcher

Some of the vehicles mentioned in other categories above also exist(ed) in a version with cargo and/or passengers, such as the galley

Various of the above also stood model for a motorized variation.

Related objects

A human-powered vehicle (HPV) is a vehicle powered solely by human muscle.

The most common human-powered vehicles is the bicycle. Of more limited but still sometimes functional use are the tricycle and some rowing boats. Of common recreational use are the skateboard, ice skates, and roller skates. Many other kinds of vehicles can employ human power, including submarines, aircraft, hydrofoils, hovercraft, and kinetic sculpture vehicles.

In 1969, artists in a small northern California town began the Kinetic sculpture race which has grown to a 42 mile, three-day all terrain, human-powered sculpture race and county wide event. It is held every year in the last weekend in May.

The first officially authenticated take-off and landing of a human-powered aircraft (one capable of powered takeoffs, unlike a glider) was done in November 1962 by Derek Piggott in Southampton University's Man Powered Aircraft (SUMPA). Perhaps the best-known human-powered plane is the Gossamer Albatross, which flew across the English Channel in 1979.

Recumbent bicycles are the fastest human-powered vehicles: as of 2004, Sam Whittingham holds the record, having cycled for 200 m at 81.00 mph (130.36 km/h).