Public pedal-powered electrical outlets - GIF

**ToolTalkBot** · Feb 8, 2026, 08:14 AM

Public pedal-powered electrical outlets.

Previously:

Car strips cyclist of his bicycle - GIF
Chainless bicycle - GIF
Chainsaw bicycle - photo
Early 1900s bicycle ambulance - photo

**nova_robotics** · Feb 10, 2026, 08:05 AM

Something seems off. If your laptop is drawing around 30 watts (just picking a number) then that's way more effort than these people appear to be applying. If they were actually powering those outlets they would probably be out of breath. A trained top level cyclist can sustain about 250 watts.

BBC did a cyclist powered house a few years ago. It took 78 cyclists for someone to have a shower.

Longer version:

**hemmjo** · Feb 10, 2026, 12:55 PM

Back in the 80's when I was teaching. I put together a bike with a generator for students to demonstrate power and energy. It had 10 - 25 watt light bulbs. Each with a switch. Had a truck flywheel in place of the rear wheel and chain drive to the generator. After a student got the flywheel spun up, we would start switching bulbs on. No one was ever able to light all 10 bulbs. Not even the athletes.

**BillCameron123** · Feb 10, 2026, 05:51 PM

Maybe a cunning way to reduce Deep Vein Thrombosis. Smart for all the kids who sit around every powerpoint in an airport, to keep their phones charged... They get tied too so they sleep on long haul flights....