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    21st Century Ideas: What We Can Do with Bicycles

    Beyond exercise, how else can we use bicycles to help solve some big problems?

    Started by: agn2019 Raves:2 Badge Winner! Influency

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    How do we use bicycles to generate power, transport the sick and elderly, get around, make smoothies? I'd love to hear your ideas, from stationary bicycle generators to DIY tandems to bicycle blenders.

    I think the only way to make any alternative to fossil fuels viable is to constantly update the technology. I remember as a kid going to Centers for Science and Industry and there were always stationary bicycles that when pedaled created enough energy to power a light bulb or run a radio. Also, the roof of Disney's Energy pavilion in EPCOT used to proclaim that the solar panels up there powered the lights in the building. What they don't tell you is that they abandoned the solar cells in the late 1990's to early 2000's because they were not effecient and technology had not sufficiently progressed over the years to make them a viable source of power. It seems to me we were headed in a generally good direction in the mid to late 1970's after the energy crisis. But then fossil fuels became available again and alternatives went by the way side. Perhaps it is time for a new carrot to be dangled in front of our faces. The same way high school science classes were re-imagined in the 1950's and 60's when America was in the space race. We wanted to produce as many math and science majors as possible to beat the Russians into space. Now maybe we can offer the incentive of saving our world as high school re-structure their classes to focus on "bicycle" energy, solar power, etc.

    Sadly the only way bicycles become an efficient means of energy are if you have the food to fuel the people riding them. If that's taken care of, then a lot of the obvious uses can become a reality. I'd suggest naming a bike with an alternator attached to an electric battery the 'Pony' so we can make another Pony Express, if need be.

    We can use them instead of cars! I've been bicycling for the last decade and they are sustainable, human powered ways to transport one's self and other things. Also- they will help cut down on healthcare costs as they force the rider to get into shape.

    Certainly easier to get upstairs than a horse - but won't make eye contact when you're lonely.




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