utility dreams
 

Hello. I've got some ideas about utility cycling, and I'd like to get some feedback.

First idea: A bicycle yoke that connects 2+ bikes to haul bigger loads. Part of the idea would be small generators attached to each bike yoked together that would create power to operate the electronic brakes of the trailer. Maybe only the lead biker would have the main trailer brake. Anyway, a small generator attached to a bike might be good in a third world situation, as one could maybe put some charge into a car battery or something on one's daily routine and then charge devices with it.

Second idea: Pedal powered agriculture. Essentially, multiple persons would provide pedal power to accomplish small-scale agricultural tasks. Maybe there would be a moving platform with multiple persons on top who are all pedaling to mow hay, or pick two rows of maize, or whatever.

If anyone has any feedback or things I should look at, let me know. Any and all replies are appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Mike

As to the first idea, consider the design of a roadtrain connector, i.e, it supports the tongue of the trailer on 2 wheels, but then, with separate articulating arms for each of the bikes. They must articulate, or otherwise you have a quadricycle with broken steering.

Mike,

1- I'd suggest you actually see what it's like to haul a lot of weight by bicycle, then decide on what equipment is needed. I am on the other side of the fence - I have pulled ~575 pounds behind my bike using my own power for ~12 miles round trip. I have Hayes 9 hydro brakes and they were sufficient. The only way I could see needing more braking power (ie, power assist brakes) would be substantially heavier loads. I can't haul substantially heavier loads under my own power. If I was to need power assist brakes, it would be because I also had power assist pedalling (ie, an e-cycle or some such device).

2- affixing any kind of power charger will likely be of about equal cost. If a dynamo hub costs as much to install as a solar panel, and each provide equal power, what would you choose? I suppose that depends on where you are and what you're doing.

3- the Amish in Pennsylvania don't use modern implements. All of their agricultural equipment is pre-internal combustion engine. They have used that type of equipment successfully for the past couple of centuries, so I'm not sure why a new approach would be needed and/or wanted.

Good luck!