This toy is propelled by "pulling" and "pushing" on the T handle while you steer with your feet. My cousin had one of these when I was a kid and I remember that going down a hill was kinda dangerous because the handle never stops going back and forth and it goes faster as you go faster down hill and it can hit you in the nose if your coordination is off...   Steering is done only with your feet.  A neat toy.  Too bad nobody makes them for children today...or maybe they do and I just don't know it.  Bigger kids can enjoy this toy...I am 6' and it is a "squeeze" for me but just a little smaller person can really ride it easily.

Here are some links of interest about Irish Mail:

• Hugh Hill's Irish Mail made a million children happy
• Velocipede