Bicycle / Pedal Power
Technology and Applications

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Bicycling is not just for the super athlete.  For a start, various cycle technologies are used by people from two years old to more than one-hundred and two years old.  More and more cycle technologies are being develop to get differently abled people on bikes, over more kinds of terrain, in more types of whether, and more of the time. Here is information about the diversity of cutting edge of human-powered cycle technology.

Arm Powered

These vehicles are exciting because they give polio and land mine victims, paraplegic and others with limited or no function in their lower limbs increased mobility and access. Generally, these machines are in a tricycle configuration.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Folding Bicycles

Folding bikes are often preferable for mixed-modal travel -- trips the combine a bike ride / tour with a bus, train, boat or airplane segment and for people with limited storage space (boat and apartment dwellers) and people needing to park their bike in their work space.  By folding, these bikes can often avoid surcharges applied to bicycles on planes, boats, buses and trains.  Folding bikes often entail some kind of compromise (weight, stiffness, wheelbase, wheel size, handling, etc.) to what you would get from a standard bike, but for the best of the folding bicycle the compromise can be negligible and far outweighed by the benefits, if you do a lot of mixed-mode travel or have limited space.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation".

Recumbent Bicycle

Recumbents have their advocate just because they are recumbent, but they also significant because they provide back support and a different body positions which can be very helpful for people with various conditions that make riding traditional bicycles difficult. These machine can be single seaters or tandems and they are manufactured in bicycle and tricycle configurations.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Tandem, Triple and Quad Bicycle

Tandems (two-person), triples (three-person) and quads (four-person) are great because they provide a cycling opportunity for the visually impaired and cyclist of very different abilities, for example adults and children. For differently-abled teams, they offer the benefit of getting everyone to the destination at the same time without taxing anyone's patience.   The are also great fun for cyclist who have similarly abilities and who can adjust to each others style -- stories of tandems nearly breaking up marriages are legendary.  To accommodate children on an adult tandem you will need a child stoker kits  (a.k.a kidback, kid-back or kid kit) -- a movable bottom bracket, with cranks and pedals, which attaches to the seat tube so that small riders can reach the pedals.

On a conventional tandem both cyclists have to pedal together, unless they take their feet off the pedals.  This constraint has been eliminated by an "Independent Coasting System" which frees the riders from having to pedal in unisons and has other benefits.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Tricycle: Single and Tandem

Tricycles (three-wheels) are generally much more stable than traditional bikes (except going fast around a corner) which is great for those who can't maintain their balance on a traditional bike. Generally these also have a recumbent seating position so they also have those advantages (see above).

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Quadracycle

Quadracycles (four-wheels) are similarly to a tricycle, but generally even more stable. Some models can carry up to a half-dozen people.  Generally, these machines are not designed for speed and they have a large footprint, so they have limited on-street practicality.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Cargo Bike and Trailer

By increasing the load carrying capacity of your cycle you can increase your versatility and productiveness with non-motorized transportation.

Other ideas for getting more work out of you bike can be found at Pedal Power Applications.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

People Trailers and Related Issues

For a discussion on child trailers go to Carrying Infants: Child Seats vs. Trailers.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation".

Child Third-Wheel / Trailer Cycles

Child third-wheel cycles or trailer cycles are attachments for regular bikes designed to carry children.  The are essentially a bars which extend from the seat post or rear rack of a regular bicycle, which have handlebars, a seat and a rear wheel assembly.  Generally they are rated for a maximum load of about 35 kg or 80 lbs.  The usually attach and detach fairly easily so the base bicycle can easily go back to its regular function.  They come in one to five speed models and some models fold for easier transport.  In all cases the child can pedal (or not) at a rate independent of the bicycle.

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation".

Electric-Assisted Bicycle or E-bikes

Electric power assisted bikes are increasingly popular, especially in Japan and Europe.  These vehicles have fully operative pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor which can add torque to the wheels by chain drive, through hub motors or by a capstan against the tire.   Generally, there are legal limitations like maximum speeds of  30 kph or 20 mph on level ground or maximum power output (i.e. 800 watts).  Operators and vehicles are not required to be licensed, though there may be age minimums for operators (often 16 years of age).

For links to equipment providers go to our link section and click on "technology & innovation", also check "innovations/applications".

Innovations / Applications

Here is an interesting collection of new technologies for pedal powered transport that don't fit other categories that we have, but are worth a look.

Air Free Bicycle Tire These airless or air-free tires promise no more flat tires. (Jan 2001)

Amazonian Vegetable Leather Bicycle  The Giant bicycle, made using vegetable leather, is a success for the Business for a Sustainable Amazonia partnership The bicycles come equipped with bags made from vegetable leather, stamped with the WWF logo. The range was launched yesterday at the Botanic Garden in Rio de Janeiro, during the opening of a new exhibition from Business for a Sustainable Amazonia, a partnership between the Ministry of the Environment, AmazonLife and WWF-Brazil. The vegetable leather, known as Treetap®, is made from natural rubber and was produced by three rubber-tapping communities in Amazonia, with support from the Rio-based company Amazon Life, WWF-Brazil and the Nawa Institute. The aim of the vegetable leather project is to develop new products made using natural rubber which guarantee the sustainable use of forest resources and increase the income of the local population. The bicycles have already attracted great interest from consumers in Holland.  The following link leads to a Portuguese language site. There are no pictures. http://www.wwf.org.br/english/informa/noticias.asp?action=detail&item=264.  (Source: WWF Brasil, 06/13/2003)

Aquaduct  Specialized tricycle for transporting and filtering water. Link to video. (Jan 2008).

Aviroute Two wheels, powered by a rowing motion.  Except for rowing training, we aren't sure of the application. (Sept 2000)

Bamboo & Rattan Bikes Bamboo frame bicycle made from a combination of block-dyed chrome, machine components and hand-shaped and tied bamboo are now on the market. The handlebar grips are cork and the wheel rims are Beachwood. Priced at around FF18,000. Ironically the bike is produced and marketed in France by fashion company Hermes.

The aim of a rattan bicycle is to replace metal parts by rattan as much as possible. The front baskets, fenders, chain-covers and grips are 100% rattan. The pedals are partly made of rattan. (Feb 1998)

Bambooclette Every handmade BAMBOOCLETTE® is unique.  Before traveling to Europe, every bamboo cycle is road-tested in the streets of Saigon.  Contact: BAMBOOCLETTE.AT, Lidmanskygasse 3, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria.  Fax: +43/463/502261. Email: office@bambooclette.at (May 2000)

Batteryless Bicycle Flashing Lights A new generation bicycle light system, no battery is needed, no friction on any parts of the bicycle. (Feb 2006)

Bicycle Carrier for Motorcycles (March 2002)

Bicycle Lift (elevator / escalator) The first, and as far as we know still the only, was built in the 1990's to help bicyclists get up a hill in Trondheim, Norway.  See also www.utopia-eu.com/reptex/rep51/rep08.htm.  (Sept 1998)

Bi-Directional Pedaling System Allows bicyclist to Pedal both forward and backward -- while continuously moving forward -- without compromising pedaling rhythm or speed.  For more information contact: MBI Bear America, 403 E Elmwood, Troy MI 48083 USA.  Tel: 800-939-9931.  Email: gear@mbiamerica.com. (May 2000)

Building a Balancing Scooter Turns out that if you're an average Silicon Valley genius-geek, it's pretty easy to build your own Segway using wheelchair motors and gyroscopes from model
airplanes, and, of course, writing your own computer code to make it work. Read the "Warning" as well. (Feb 2004)

Conference Bike A seven seat quadra-cycle.  One person steers from the back while everyone else faces the center and is free to pedal or not. Staller Sudio Nederland, Herengracht 100, 1015 BS Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  Tel/Fax: +31 20 6249198.  Email: info@conferencebike.com  (January 2003)

"Cycle-Car" The development of an ElectriLite lightweight, two-place, three wheeled hybrid electric/pedal-assisted vehicle for neighborhood and in- town use has been announced by Omni Instruments. For more information request the "ElectriLite Report", Omni Instruments, PO Box 96, Albion, CA 95410 USA. Fax: 707-937-0603. (Nov 1998) 

BikeDrive Springs compress to get you past the top dead center with lesser effort and store power that is then released at the bottom dead center. Email: ref@utanet.at (June 2002)

Fiets Cafe A twelve-person pedal powered (bicycle) bar.  (ed: Do they mean juice bar?)  The driver must stay sober. (Oct 2006)

Fit Kit System "Fit Kit" is registered trade mark for a system developed by the New England Bicycle Academy.  Bike shops now sometimes loosely apply "fit kit" to a number of different bicycle sizing programs.  These range from full adjustable model bikes to protocols of physical measurement that are put in a computer and produce a bike design for the client.  But because the output is computer generated it needs to be interpreted by someone who understands the output and bicycling, with reference to the individual and his or her riding style.  You can contact the original Fit Kit System at 800-434-8548.  Email: fitkit@mcn.net (Jan. 1999)

Open Water Cycling Pedal powered kayak. (Jan 2004)

Pedal Powered Application A number of organization have done work transforming the drive train of bicycles into other pedal powered operations.  There websites can be found by searching for 'bicycle powered' and 'pedal power applications', and variations of these terms.  We have collected a little information here:

• Bicycle Powered Generator Commercial product that attaches to a wind trainer to generate electricity. (July 2008)
• Campus Center for Appropriate Technology  Articles on a wide range of bicycle driven applications. (Nov 2006)
• Maya Pedal  Used bicycles to build pedal-powered machines: Bicycle Mill/Corn Degrainer, Bicycle Blender, Bicycle Water Pump, Microconcrete Vibrator (Roofing Tiles), Tricycles and Trailers, Bicycle Coffee Depulper, Bicycle Metal Sharpener, Bicycle Washing Machines, Bicycle Electricity Generator,  Soil plow/till/hoe, Bicycle Nut-Sheller, Bicycle Wood Saw and bicycles. (Nov 2004)
• Pedal Power: In Work, Leisure and Transportation, edited by James McCullagh, Rodale Press.  Explores the  potential for pedal-driven devices in the workshop, in the kitchen, on the farm and for transportation -- with actual building instruction.
• Pedal Power Applications The following, mostly agricultural related, mechanical application have used pedal power technology: chain trencher, weeding/harvester rider, frontend loader, thresher, weeder (paddy), rototiller, grain reaper, oil seed press, forklift, huller/sheller, soy grinder, reel mower, bulldozer, dumptrike, grain drill, rice separator, tri- and quadra-cycle (with interchangeable units: cargo, flatbed, tanker, stakebed, dumper, pickup, animal, garden tools), sicklebar mower, crawler tractor, wildflower seed harvester, rice polisher, grain winnower and seeder. For more information on any of these contact: Ken Hargesheimer, PO Box 1901, Lubbock TX 79408-1901 USA. Email: minifarms@gmail.com.
• Pedal Power Computer: For description of a pedal-powered computer project in Laos see http://www.jhai.org/jhai_remote_launch_follow.htm.
• Pedal Power Generator A wide range of do-it-yourself (DIY) pedal power applications and information from David Butcher.  (July 2008)
• Pedal Power Generator Do-it-yourself (DIY) website with free plans.
• Pedal Works Developed pedal driven devices for primarily agricultural/food processing applications (water pumps, grain mills, air compressors, blenders, juicers etc.).  The website includes some diagrams.
• Pedal-a-Watt Stationary Bike Power Generator The Pedal-a-Watt bike was designed to keep the user aerobically fit while creating some extra power that may be sent to a bank of batteries.  These batteries may then be tapped at a later time, after dark for example, when the energy is needed to power lights or appliances.  The average rider will produce between 150 and 200 watts using the Pedal-a-Watt.  While this may not seem like much power, solid state equipment draws very little power and can be powered for long spans of time with small amounts of power.  VHF/UHF Ham Radios, laptops, and DC stereos all draw small amounts of current at 12 volts DC.  (Jan 2004)

Reclining Tricycle "Drift Machine" The user can enjoy a lower speed drift and tail slide. (Jan 2006)

Reciprocal Drive Bike Behzad Kasravi has developed a system for a rotary / reciprocal drive bike. Kasravi lists the advantages as: no 12 or 6 o'clock "dead" points; the length and duration of strokes may be varied at any time to suit the cyclist; the cranks can be of a variable adjustable length for variable mechanical advantage and torque; and, the differential gears will prevent the bicycle from rolling backwards. For more information: BK Design, PO Box 5566, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5566 USA. (Nov 1997)

Rowbike In part, a rowing machine on two-wheels. (Sept 2004)

SDV Non-linear crank, with elongated vertical motion. (Sept 2006)

Safe Turn Fully automatic portable turn signal for bicyclists (Nov 2007)

Shuttle-Bike Kit Small backpack of equipment which in 10 minutes converts a bike to a water craft - bike boat.

Sideways Bike "Forward facing two wheel steering bicycle with non linked steering."  It seems to have very limited applications and a few safety issues, not the least of which is the route of the chain. (March 2003)

Single-Wheel Ride Li Yongming, left, and Zheng Jun demonstrate one-wheeled cycles during a promotion in Beijing on Monday. The cycle, designed and built in Xian in China's Shanxi province, sells for 2,888 Chinese yuan ($350). (CNN, 13 Nov 2000)

Surfbike  (if you search the web for "surfbike" you will find other dealers.)  A pedal powered boat or water bike. The Surfbike is a bicycle for water, designed for people of all ages, both big and small, who love nature and nautical activities. The Surfbike is original, easy to handle, and fast. It is a great way to exercise and it doesn't create air, water, nor noise pollution.  (Nov 1997)

Transformation Trike A human powered tricycle with multiple configurations that can be transformed to carry one, two or three people, or cargo. Link to video. (Jan 2008)

Two-Wheel Drive Bicycle Technology 

Bill Becoat has invented a two-wheel-drive bike. The simple design works from a flexible steel cable gear, which is driven off of the rear wheel. This connects to a small gear on the hub of the front wheel, spreading the pedal power. Road tests show that this gives greater front wheel stability and improved traction on slippery surfaces and helps make hill climbing easier. The system should offer benefits in sand and snow. Several modes of bicycles using the system are being manufactured by 2 Bi 2 Inc., St. Louis, MO, USA. (Nov 1997)

Christini All-Wheel Drive Bike With dual-suspension and a $3,100 price tag, this is aimed at serious off-roaders. (Dec 2001)

Wind Powered Bicycle Project "A way to use wind to power enclosed bicycles (allowing them to sail much in the manner of a windsurfer).  It offers the possibility of vastly increased top speeds and payload carrying capacities." (Dec 2004)

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The International Bicycle Fund is an independent, non-profit organization. Its primary purpose is to promote bicycle transportation. Most IBF projects and activities fall into one of  four categories: planning and engineering, safety education, economic development assistance and promoting international understanding. IBF's objective is to create a sustainable, people-friendly environment by creating opportunities of the highest practicable quality for bicycle transportation. IBF is funded by private donation. Contributions are always welcome and are U.S. tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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