CliffordK

I'd probably try riding that hill... just to ride it. However, one could design a pedal powered escalator where, say 50% of the energy to run it came from pedalling, and 50% from grid power.

A tramway can be designed to gain efficiency if it has the same or greater weight going down the hill as going up. So, if you could convince the same number of people to ride it back down the hill (and pedal too), then power consumption could be minimized.

I suppose I am just amazed at how many people go and spend hours confined in a gym then use so many energy conserving devices such as escalators and elevators. For a while I've imagined combining exercise equipment with generators with things like buses (although I could imagine a lack of efficiency).

I still like to get outside and enjoy my bicycle, and can spend hours in the saddle while I get bored with an exercise machine within 10 minutes.

Darth Lefty 

I think you have a misconception how much power is used in the world and where it makes sense to conserve it; and how much power individual people can make. The vast majority of power used in the world goes to industry, shipping, and air conditioning - not elevators. Humans make about enough to run a light bulb.

And no one would use your concept because it's scolding.

CrankyOne

The lift is there to serve a practical purpose in assisting people who ride bicycles for transportation. It's limited in how many people can use it (and I assume there is a cost/rider for maintenance) so if a bunch of kids are joyriding then nearby adults will say something to insure that it is available for those who need it. They'll likely let them do it once or twice and then suggest that they leave it available for others.

This is a major difference in the U.S. and EU. In Europe people will say something to others about inconsiderate behavior. Probably toping the list is people talking too loud in cafe's, trains, or similar places. Putting your feet on the opposing seat on a train, trying to board without waiting on departing passengers to get off, joyriding on the Trampe, blocking the left lane on a motorway or bikeway, or any number of things is likely to garner a comment from someone.

auldgeunquers

The one that never ceases to amuse me: Joggers who cut corners.

Dave Cutter

Different subject? Oh, so you never saw any waste or unnecessary park or city spending?

Yet.... if the nation isn't defended... it's YOUR HEAD... that is removed by an ISIS knife. Hate what you choose to hate. Have as many irrational thoughts as you wish to have. Yes... war goes on. Day after day, year after year, until it all comes to an end.

So I guess you can hate your own species if you wish. Misanthrope's have always been with mankind as well (and isn't that what this is really all about). Although now.... there may be treatment for that.

Bike Gremlin

USA bombed my city. We didn't attack USA. They said it was to protect some people 600 kms to the south. But they didn't protect them. Just destroyed bridges and terrorized people. Not very nice IMO, not just, not defense.

Plus I would never trust a human being with a destructive power of an atom bomb. Nope.

Hope this bike escalator is not threatening "the American way of life".

CliffordK

I suppose it was ok for the Yugoslavians to just kill their own people without the help of outsiders.

I will admit that I don't think the USA should be a self-appointed global police force.

If one goes to a surgeon, he will look for surgical cures for ailments.
A naturopath will look for naturopathic solutions.
Go to the military, and they'll look for military solution for problems.
What we really need is leaders that look for peaceful means to solve problems.

Bike Gremlin

Civil war, as dirty as they come. Practically supported by the "west", while rhetorically opposed.

The bombing was still a diry terror of civilians, mostly.

Dave Cutter

No.... Serbia did not attack the USA. Nor did the USA start the war there ether. There are no "good" wars.... or good places to have a war. Sorry for anyone who has to experience war.... or many other of life's experiences. This thread was quickly turned into an anti-American, people hating. save the planet (kill all humans), thread. Seems like it happens all the time in the "commuting"... as well as the "advocacy & safety" threads.

lostarchitect 

Yeah, there's bad stuff out there, so gin up the Perpetual War Machine! Live in fear! Keep putting billions and billions of dollars into the "defense" industry! It's for your own good!

Defense is one thing, policing the world and starting (yes--starting) conflicts half a world away are quite another.

I don't hate humanity--I love it. Which is why I hate perpetual war.

Bike Gremlin

But they did drop quite a lot of bombs on the city I happen to live in. Talking about military spending - that's as good as it gets.

" it was estimated that a single Tomahawk cruise missile costs US$1,410,000"


I'd much rather see resources spent on those silly elevators.

Dave Cutter

Yeah.... you love humanity.... you just hate history (or the history of humans?). So sorry humans don't live up to what.... you imagine they should be. Humans do kill each other... even their own children. All societies live in "Perpetual War" (as you call it). Humans are a flawed species! Some are so inherently damaged... as to even hate themselves.

Dave Cutter

I do understand. And those are the attitudes that help perpetuate the internal struggles that force the world (it was actually a UN action in Serbia) to play global police to those that can't manage their own affairs. But then again.... no one thinks things are over in Serbia ether do they? Maybe... that is the preferred way to live there.... how would I know.

lostarchitect 

Dwight Eisenhower disagreed with you, and I suspect he had a great deal more knowledge and expereince in this field than you or I. If you have never seen his farewell speech, I suggest you watch it. That's all I have to say on the matter. Good luck.

Bike Gremlin

I'll refrain from rude words. But I have no nice ones either.



Even at this age, I'd ride that elevator for hours. Just one more ride... and down hill... one more...

Dave Cutter

I think... the world has about 8000 years of written history (more or less). I am unaware of any history of peaceful times. I would guess... if humans were peaceful creatures... there would have been a few centuries of peace in mankind's history. People are what they are. Misanthrope's see people as something that should be hated. Some blame leaders, governments, or even automobiles for life's problems.

Most humans spend the first 70 years of their lives just growing up and learning what life is.

Dave Cutter

No he didn't.

I actually watched it live when it was broadcast on TV. Apparently... you don't have the historical perspective that would benefit you to understand exactly what he was speaking about.

lostarchitect 

Perhaps, or perhaps it was a more subtle speech than you appreciated at the time. Either way, no point to continuing this discussion, is there.

Dave Cutter

Subtle?!?!? Dad had just been appointed as the new Civil Defense Director.

scroca

This thread is about an escalator for cyclists.

ThermionicScott 

I'd nearly forgotten -- good reminder to keep certain people on my ignore list, though.

I wouldn't mind trying out that escalator, but it could be a little awkward on our fixed-gears.

cooker

Without getting into global politics, I think the question of whether the bike lift is a good tax expenditure is still reasonable to discuss. Most countries, including Norway subsidize transportation in multiple ways including air, long distance rail, local public transit, private car, bicycle and walking. It doesn't make sense to look at the cost of a device like this in isolation - you also have to think about return on investment, and also how it compares to alternate expenditure. It the bike lift facilitates people biking to work, or is a minor tourist attraction, or benefits the community in some other way, like improving overall population health, it might easily indirectly generate revenues or create savings that pay for its modest costs.

For example, if quite a few people wouldn't bike to work up that hill without the lift, and instead would take the bus, the energy and financial cost of getting a bus up that hill would soon far outstrip the cost of installing and operating the lift.

cooker

Probably have to dismount and balance on the lift step on one foot while leaning on the bike for support.

cobrabyte

yeah...how would you know.

this thread is ridiculous, but since you brought it up...

Albanians stole the always sovereign Serbia's oldest and most holiest province in the late nineties. This illegal act was orchestrated by the help and support of a very U.S. influenced NATO and facilitated by none other than the infamous Osama Bin Laden. Even after he was directly linked to the first World Trade Center bombing the U.S. still equipped Osama bin Laden's "KLA or Kosovo Liberation Army" with a myriad of weaponry and financial support. U.S. support of this maniac helped finance the 2001 attack on U.S. soil by Osama Bin Laden and his cronies, and resulted in the U.S. spending the last 13 years fighting an unwinnable war in the middle east. So NO it's not over, Dave.

Nice job, police of the world...looks like your bull***** came back to bite you in the @ss.

So, yeah, that's not defense. It's terrorism. And I WOULD rather see my tax dollars spent on a bike escalator than the Imperial States of Americas war machine. Go read a damn history book.

cobrabyte

And I applaud you, Slaninar, for your patience with such obnoxious ignorance displayed here in this thread.