Bicycling is the most energy-efficient means of transport generally available. Bicycling at low to medium speeds (10-15 mph, 16-24 km/h), uses only the energy required to walk.
In both biological and mechanical terms, the bicycle is extraordinarily efficient. In terms of the amount of energy a person must expend to travel a given distance, investigators have calculated it to be the most efficient self-powered means of transportation.[1] From a mechanical viewpoint, up to 99% of the energy delivered by the rider into the pedals is transmitted to the wheels, although the use of gearing mechanisms may reduce this by 10-15%. [2] [3]
In terms of the ratio of cargo weight a bicycle can carry to total weight, it is also a most efficient means of cargo transportation.
An added bonus is that a bicycle can utilize gravity to go faster down hill and even partialy any counterpart hills.
Bamboo bicyle
A bike has been produced mainly from bamboo - however, at $2500 to $3000, it is definitely not an appropriate technology. See Bamboo Bikes.
Speculation follows: The likely difficulties include:
- Getting consistent size and shape of bamboo.
- Consistent mechanical problems.
- Avoiding splitting by use of special fittings and glue (mentioned in the article) - yet it must still be strong enough to safely carry a rider.
- Does the bamboo potentially create large splinters in the event of a serious accident? If so, these splinters could cause very serious injuries, even death.
Footnotes and references
- ↑ "Bicycle Technology", S.S. Wilson, Scientific American, March 1973
- ↑ "Johns Hopkins Gazette", 30 August, 1999
- ↑ "Bicycling Science", Frank R. Whitt, David G. Wilson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1982, ISBN 0-262-23111-5
See also
- Pedal power
- http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4057 Some statistics
Subcategories
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total.
B
- Bike trailers (11)
C
- Cycling files (3)
- Cycling UK (5)
Pages in category "Cycling"
The following 46 pages are in this category, out of 46 total.
B
- Baby jogger bike trailer
- Backpack frame bike trailer
- Backpack frame bike trailer/ko
- Bicing
- Bicycle
- Bicycle (Practical Action Technical Brief)
- Bicycle Brake Caliper
- Bike Cargo Rack
- Bike Hub Pelton Turbine
- Bike Hub Pelton Turbine/pl
- Bike Safety
- Bike snow plow
- Bike-sharing
- Black Mamba Bike pedal
- Brake calliper of blackmamba bicycle
- User:BrentSanders