Go Back   EcoModder Forum > AltModding > Alternative Transportation
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 09-24-2009, 02:50 AM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canberra
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Pedal Powered Car... Killing two (theoretical) birds with one stone

Hi everybody, long time reader, first time poster.

Being based out here in Australia, we are experiencing climate change, first hand. During this past week, we've had dust storms ravaging coastal cities. (like Sydney and Brisbane) We have also overtaken the USA as the fattest country on Earth, with 50%+ of us being overweight.

Of course, a solution for both the first and second problems is riding a bicycle, but unfortunately, with the weather being very temperamental, as well as footpaths being scarce, (in our city) it is quite hard to do so. Reading about the Canadian Buick, as well as the Green Hummer Project, I realised that building a pedal powered car would be easier than I would've thought.

My first issue is that I don't have a car yet, but many small cars, from makes such as Suzuki and Daihatsu fit the bill, and the second issue is whether I should run the pedals directly to the drivetrain, or run the pedals through an electric motor.

How much would each solution cost?

Thank you

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 09-24-2009, 03:00 AM   #2 (permalink)
(:
 
Frank Lee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: up north
Posts: 12,762

Blue - '93 Ford Tempo
Last 3: 27.29 mpg (US)

F150 - '94 Ford F150 XLT 4x4
90 day: 18.5 mpg (US)

Sport Coupe - '92 Ford Tempo GL
Last 3: 69.62 mpg (US)

ShWing! - '82 honda gold wing Interstate
90 day: 33.65 mpg (US)

Moon Unit - '98 Mercury Sable LX Wagon
90 day: 21.24 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,585
Thanked 3,555 Times in 2,218 Posts
About a dollar three-eighty I spose.
__________________


  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 04:06 AM   #3 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,805

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 460 Times in 328 Posts
Oz is blessed with the Pedal Prix race series for pedal cars, as well as Greenspeed, the recumbent trike makers who have long wanted to build a full velomobile. The basic factor in such designs is that the average human puts out 1/10 HP. However, a bicycle rider can go twice as fast with good streamlining. To convert a motor car, you would be limited to approximately the speed you could push it, (although hills would give wide variations) unless you made it a hybrid. However, adding pedals to a much larger motor just gives you a mobile exercycle. This requires excellent ventilaton, which is detrimental to the streamlining, but the sun shade effect can sometimes allow a higher power output than on an open bike. If you use a pedal power meter to control the big motor, it makes you feel bionic, and promotes fitness instead of a feeling of futility. If you don't intend to add battery power, there's no good reason, economic or otherwise, not to adapt a standard bike chain drive, and it is almost always best even with another booster.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 09:47 AM   #4 (permalink)
Eco Dreamer
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Exton, PA
Posts: 104

Versa - '08 Nissan Versa SL Hatchback
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
My concern would be range/hills. What happens when the person gets tired?
I have had the thought of a pedal powered hybrid, where some other power system gets the vehicle up to speed, then cuts out and pedaling maintains speed. This would be most beneficial on a highway though, not backroads or stop/go driving.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 11:58 AM   #5 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Bicycle Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
Posts: 1,805

Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
Last 3: 42.35 mpg (US)

Stealth RV - '91 Chevy Sprint Base
Thanks: 91
Thanked 460 Times in 328 Posts
Velomobiles do accelerate slowly, but for a highway run, that is not much of a problem. A pedal-electric hybrid is most desirable for stop and go or hilly driving. With a bike in the city, you pedal and coast about half the time each. A velo coasts so well you wind up doing short, hard sprints and a lot of coasting, which feels miserable.
A commuting cyclist will not get tired, he maintains a comfortable effort and pace throughout the ride.
Footpaths are for pedestrians. Bike paths and lanes are often so badly designed and maintained that experienced cyclists prefer the regular roadway. Riding in traffic is a skill. A mirror mounted on your helmet is a great aid.

Last edited by Bicycle Bob; 09-24-2009 at 01:00 PM.. Reason: P.S.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 12:30 PM   #6 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 81
Thanks: 1
Thanked 16 Times in 6 Posts
Tri-Sled: Velomobiles
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 01:31 PM   #7 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Two_Weeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bedfordshire, UK
Posts: 16

Luigi - '94 Fiat Uno 60D Start
90 day: 45.18 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Imagine if this technology were applied to a multi-passenger vehicle?

eROCKIT | A new vehicle category: The Human-Hybrid-Motorcycle
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 01:42 PM   #8 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,209
Thanks: 225
Thanked 811 Times in 594 Posts
Do a search on "Twike".
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to jamesqf For This Useful Post:
IamIan (10-14-2011)
Old 09-24-2009, 03:36 PM   #9 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 81
Thanks: 1
Thanked 16 Times in 6 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two_Weeks View Post
Imagine if this technology were applied to a multi-passenger vehicle?
A multi-passenger vehicle? How this?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/...ff.enlarge.jpg
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2009, 06:08 PM   #10 (permalink)
Eco Dreamer
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Exton, PA
Posts: 104

Versa - '08 Nissan Versa SL Hatchback
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two_Weeks View Post
Imagine if this technology were applied to a multi-passenger vehicle?

eROCKIT | A new vehicle category: The Human-Hybrid-Motorcycle
Seems like it is just an electric motorcycle. The only difference is that pedal acts as regen. And of course pedaling acts as the throttle, but that is more of a gimmick then anything, the throttle could be on the handlebars like a regular motorcycle.

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electric car conversion: Project ForkenSwift MetroMPG Fossil Fuel Free 1041 07-28-2014 10:19 AM
Update (with video!): Pedal powered Buick driver beats court charge! MetroMPG Alternative Transportation 12 01-13-2014 04:37 PM
EcoModding for Beginners: Getting great gas mileage. SVOboy EcoModding Central 55 08-21-2012 12:34 AM
Active grill block idea holypaulie Aerodynamics 17 10-13-2008 10:31 AM
My First Electric car Experience WaxyChicken The Lounge 8 09-05-2008 09:46 PM



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com