Is there research on transportation that is man powered like an old fashion sewing machine pedal?

bicycles are the best human powered vehicles, that's why they are so common.

Other than that, trikes, unicycles, scooters, rickshaws (someone else pedals, making a comeback in London) all exist.

The rotating crank with pedals is still the most efficient form of human powered transport.

Segway is too slow, most countries can't decide if it's a pedestrian transport (like a wheelchair) so it could use the sidewalk or if it has to use the road (EEEP!).

There are a range of electric bikes (from around $1,000 (Stg500) upwards that you can pedal and use a little electric motor for hills or with a load.

Bikes can carry a lot of stuff, panniers and even trailers are available and providing you don't have too many hills around they are perfectly usable.

Do you mean like a kids pedal car...... I remember a pedal powered airplane ... the guy biult it around a bike .. and flew from england to france.....

Also ... look at pedal go carts..... and something like a pedal 3 wheeler recomberant bike...

Leonardo Da Vince drew some rather neat stuff .

rickshaw comes to mind.......