Pedal Powered World: Literally

This is part 8 of an ~8-part series I'm doing on bike-powered devices. If you've got a link to another device that should be included or a better-documented version of any of these, comment below. I learned about most of these devices through the old-news Innovate or Die contest.

Wow: go pedals. I'm in awe at the sheer number of things that people have powered with bikes, and I'm sure I'm only scratching the surface. Thanks to people who have sent me additions to my initial lists. Here's the 31 things we've found bike-powered thus far:

Kitchen
1. Vacuum fridge
2. Blender
3. Ice cream Maker
4. Cotton Candy Spinner (added by Kai Williams)

Sustainability
1. Universal Nut Sheller
2. Water Pump and Filter
3. Water Purifier
4. Water Mover, Filter, and Pump

Outdoor Tools
1. Mulcher
2. Snow Plow
3. Lawnmower Bike
4. Compost Turner

Shop Tools
1. Multi-Tool
2. Inertia Welder
3. Hacksaw
4. Air Compressor

Household Tools
1. Sweeper
2. Washing Machine
3. Television
4. Christmas Lights (or at least lights connected to a pedal-powered generator)

Power Generation
1. Suspension Energy Scavenger
2. "Big Wooden Wheel" (to supposedly smooth power output)
3. Pedal Power API (both mechanical and electrical energy generation)

Bikes Moving Unlike Bikes
1. Bikeyak
2. Snow Car
3. (Bigger) Amphibious Cycle
4. Tandem (without having to see your co-rider)
5. Family Truckster
6. Rat Patrol Oz's Amphibious Tall Couch Trike, thanks to Gentry:
ratpatrol.jpg

7.A taxi trailer (welded) in Namibia, thanks to Aaron Wieler:
taxi-2.jpg
(plans for my design, an (admittedly less aesthetically pleasing) no-weld pedicab, can be found here)

8. And, last but far from least, the Microship:
wordplaydock.jpg
Thanks to Steven Roberts for building and submitting this beautiful bike-able boat.

Without further ado, I'm going to go look for more bikes in the garbage:)


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Sean Stevens on September 22, 2008 at 11:48 AM

Sustainable Sound

Hi, I'm Sean Stevens, and I made a bicycle Pedal powered music stage for performance (Bands and DJs, for example)

Also has integrated lighting and Laser effects, though those are currently pretty simple.

I've started documenting the setup so others can create similar things.

It's been used at a number of local benefit events.

SustainableSound.org
also, see my personal page, seanstevens.com


Posted by: Mr Foo on September 22, 2008 at 1:16 PM

...that frickin' idiot managed to get his deathtrap pedicab certified by the city of Austin? I really, really, really hope he doesn't have an accident with it, cause it's gonna cause maiming or death unless he's seriously revised the design.


Posted by: Oliver on September 23, 2008 at 4:37 AM

Real Need

Hey Folks,

I am reading Your pedal world post now for some time. And I think its funny but:

If you really want to help the poor developed countrys, do you think they got mountainbikes at every corner? A chain transmission with gears need so much maintinence and breakes easily. In 95% of all this ideas a cheap winder would do the trick as well.

best wishes
Oliver


Posted by: robin cook on December 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM

cycle ski

hi.
last winter i made a primitive 'cycle ski'. concept works but needs larger skis and something like the 'ktrak' belt system. experiment described at : www.sevenislands.tk
at any rate the concept makes more efficient use of human power than ordinary skiing


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter

    MAKE's RSS feed is here.
    Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
    How to add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
    Add MAKE on FriendFeed




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Making Char Cloth Learn how to make a cheap and effective fire starter made from an old t-shirt. To download The Char Cloth video click here and subscribe in iTunes. See Char Cloth in action with the Fire Piston from William Gurstelle.... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education

    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog