I've collected quite a little treasure trove of bicycling oddities lately, which are all pretty exciting.
First, take a look at this compendium of 82 photographs of cyclists in Amsterdam, taken during a 73-minute period along one street. Some of the themes the photographer notes: people dressed up on bikes, multiple people on bikes, bike modifications, big chains, and cheap bikes.
Second, speaking of bike modifications, check out this video and discussion of a hybrid bike mod--wiring a small electric engine onto a bike to give a power boost on start-ups (important to keeping up with traffic in intersections and for going uphill). This sort of modification can really make cycling a mode of transportation for everyone.
Third, Melvin Davis, local to Springfield, made his own bike modification to recharge AA and AAA batteries while he's biking around. His explanation and a photo are below the fold.
Hello,
We spoke April 28 at the Earth Awareness Fair, I mentioned using my bicycle to recharge AA and AAA batteries.
Long story short. I have a three piece music system I use at work, the individual components originally used AA and AAA batteries. The three pieces being a radio, MP3 player and a Game Boy amplifier that I use for headset free listening.
The three components would deplete regular alkaline batteries in less than two days. To be ‘Green’ and save money I bought rechargeable batteries, but they would need recharging every two days.
I then modified the music components to accept recycled oversized rechargeable batteries that now last a week or more.
To be even ‘Greener’. I have now wired the 6 volt bicycle generator to recharge my recycled rechargeable batteries as I pedal to work.
Here are the results of controlled condition testing; The single battery for the MP3 player provides 2+ minutes of music for every minute of pedal-charging. The two batteries for the headset radio provides 4+ minutes of music for every minute of pedal-charging.
I haven’t had the time yet to do a controlled study of the amplifier battery rate of return for pedal-charging.
Attached is a picture of the bicycle rear wheel, the generator attached to the bike, the 3 pieces of the music system and the evolution of the batteries used.
If anyone wants more specific details or a demonstration, for the price of a hamburger and coke to fuel me, feel free to email me.
Target sells the bicylce generator-light set for $10.
Mel Davis
Springfield, IL.
Comments (2)
That was cool. Didn't Amsterdam actually remove traffic signals (or was it signs?) a few years ago? Because their traffic is managed to be safer for pedestrians & bicyclists? Spfld. could learn a lot from some other cities. E.g., even cities in the poor "third" world often grow a lot of their food within city limits. Which feeds into creating more green space which helps moderate heat ... and so on ...
Probably having that many less automobiles in Amsterdam makes a huge difference.
Posted by hakim baker | June 27, 2007 12:48 PM
Posted on June 27, 2007 12:48
I don't know if it was Amsterdam that was reducing its traffic control measures, but I've definitely heard of it in one of those small, low-lying European countries.
There are definitely more ways out there to make a city than are in practice in the US today.
Posted by Greg C | June 28, 2007 9:47 AM
Posted on June 28, 2007 09:47