Going green is the only way to go these days. Designers and DIY enthusiast are continuously thinking of new ways to generate power and use it for simple day-to-day tasks. Pedal power energy can be used for a variety of things that contribute to less pollution and conserve energy. For quite some time now, we have been seeing people coming up with amazing and innovative pedal powered creations. Here we have the best ones that could motivate any green DIY enthusiast.
1. Pedal-powered Aircraft:
The very thought of flying leave me with a streak of happiness and excitement. So, for all the flying freaks here is a DIY that you would love. A 19-year-old kid built an aircraft using basal wood, rip-resistant foil and plastic wrap. The plane, a result of three years of hard work and weighing some 56kgs is pedal-powered.
2. Pedal-powered Air gun:
Pedal-powered Air gun sounds like a lot of fun. Burn those extra calories while enjoying shooting some targets. The device is made from an old exercise bike, the compressor head from a small garage air compressor and PVC pipe. Just two minutes of pedaling leaves you with nearly 65 psi, which is sufficient to punch a 1-inch hole through a sheet of 1/2 inch chipboard with a hollowed out shotgun shell.
3. Pedal-powered blender:
Did you ever imagine your kitchen could have energy-guzzling machines that would run on pedal power? If not then you must check out the conversion of your old electric blender into a green appliance that runs on pedal power. So next time when you’re cooking, just give the ingredients a few miles in blender.
4. Pedal-powered cell phone charger:
Cycling is by far the most eco-friendly way of traveling and if you can get your dying cell phone battery charged with them, what more can you ask for. Oscar L’Hermitte’s ‘Watts Maker’ cell phone charger is a cool invention that is gives life to you cell phones through pedal power. The kinetic energy generated by the revolution of the wheels is used to power mobile phones. It takes 90 minutes of rigorous pedaling to fully charge the battery.
5. Pedal-powered lawnmower:
Here is a DIY design that is sure to grab your attention. The Mowercycle gives you an option to make your lawnmower green by letting it be powered by pedal-power. This innovative bicycle-lawnmower is made from an old cycle and a broken lawnmower. For a smooth and silky lawn, all you need to do is ride it across your lawn.
6. Pedal-powered snowplow:
For those of you who love plowing snow, now can do it in an eco-friendly way. Here is a pedal-powered snowplow that runs on pedal power. It incorporated the use of a hand built steel frame, old bike parts, a salvaged Craftsman riding lawnmower and a couple of snow shovels. To get rid of the snow you just have to rely on the power of your legs.
7. Pedal-powered generator:
Generation of electricity through wind turbines and solar panels are a common sight now, but energy production from pedal power is something extraordinary. What I bring to you is a human-powered Bicycle Generator that will help you power anything from computer to iPod to cell phones.
8. Pedal-powered Segway:
You all may have heard about the electric-powered, two-wheeler Segway. But, to go all eco-friendly you must try out the one that uses pedal power. Dubbed as the Legway, this home-made mean of transport is easy to built with a ting of fun.
9. Pedal-powered USB device charger:
Here is an interesting USB device charger that runs on the power of your bicycle pedals. You can do the same at home by following the step-by-step instructions at Instructables.
10. Pedal-powered Laptop charging solution:
Charging of laptops has long been associated with not so green electricity gulping batteries. But, students of MIT have come up with an ingenious method that involves pedaling to charge up a laptop. Now you can just sit on the adjustable seat of the bike and burn out a few calories while checking out your emails.