Page 8 RAIN October 1976 PEDAL : .. .. ·· . . Michael Shakespearon his pedaled lawnmower. e The contrast between the bicycle and the.motor car is a very good illustration of technology of human scale. The bicycle is a supreme example of ergonomics-the optimum · adaptation of a machine to the human body, so that it uses this power efficiently. Hence the worldwide success of the bicycle and its derivations in meeting the real needs of people in both rich and poor countries; with a minimum demand for energy and raw materials or ill effect on the environment. The motor car, on the ·other hand, is a machine of inhuman scale as regards size, its weight, its power (.from 100 to 1,000 times that of the driver himself) or its speed. It is for these .reasons that not.only is it a great consumer of .fuel and raw materials, but it is·a great polluter of the environment-by fumes, noise and also visually. The social costs are immense, though largely . overlooked, not least the fact that vastly increased mobilicy · has scattered families to such an extent-that rarely are the three generations close enough for mutual support.. ' ? Chinese bicycle transport using vintage equipment still provides a-de'quate transportation service. · e In general, pedal drive can be expected·to give ~ c~ntinuous power output of 75 watts or 1/10th.H.P. per man, but.up to 10 times this amount for short bursts. In consequence it can be considered as an alternative to any fractional horsepower motor drive for a machine or tool, e.g. spin drier, washing . machine, lathe, handsaw, faris (forge blower), small compressor or hydraulic pump. Pedal power is of .course only one m·anifestation of muscle · power; it seems that muscle power, the most fundamental and indefinitely sustainable ·source of power-of e'ssentially human scale-is.unduly neglected in the present discussion, of energy sources. Other animals~horses, donkeys, etc.-are also possible · . sources of power, as well as the more frequently-canvassed wind power and.water power. All.of these deserve widespread attentiori, particularly in the way of prototype·design, production, testing and development.·Not until the practical problems are faced and overcome ·can any proposal be taken seriously,. but unfortunately suitable faCilities for such work-people, facilities and inoney-tend ~o be.in short supply. . . Energy-Cycle, developed by the rese~rch wing of Rodale' Press, is adaptable for a variety of uses. . Tho ii()(W.( .. !N!IICY·CVCU - ~
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