Pedal powered water

[Drum n MTB]

I thought this was pretty nifty

[wheezy]

Amazing...

[Drum n MTB]

It's such a simple idea...minds like this will change the world

[Pain Freak]

There's no bling on that bike!

[bighit8]

Wow, that is a great thing

[granny ring]

Could this be another ride opportunity like the Rwanda ride? Raise funds to help supply these bikes?
Not to take away from Doug's cause but there are probably way more people that could benefit from this bike.

[Evel Knievel]

Great thinkers.

[1FG rider]

Pretty clever, but I wonder how durable it is since it would most likely going over rough terrain carrying 20 gallons of water. At a little over 3 lbs per gallon you're going to be hauling over 60 lbs, plus the weight of the bike. Talk about building some serious quads. Still easier than shouldering buckets and walking though.

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by 1FG rider

Pretty clever, but I wonder how durable it is since it would most likely going over rough terrain carrying 20 gallons of water. At a little over 3 lbs per gallon you're going to be hauling over 60 lbs, plus the weight of the bike. Talk about building some serious quads. Still easier than shouldering buckets and walking though.

More like a little over 8-lbs./gal. -Lloyd

[1FG rider]

Originally Posted by un-kola

More like a little over 8-lbs./gal. -Lloyd

Yup, you're right. I even looked it up before posting, but somehow my fingertips wheren't talking to the brain.

So the weight would be around a whopping 160 lbs!

[Pato]

Originally Posted by 1FG rider

So the weight would be around a whopping 160 lbs!

Not that bad considering many people pedal bikes that carry 2-3 people at a time. My concerns are the weight shifts that occur with liquids and the lifespans/cost of the filtration system.

People who would need this may not have the money to buy new filters. Old dirty filters may prove to be a health risk.

Duc

[katonk]

Yeah, but who's gonna pay for it? How many of the people that truly need that can afford it? There's the on going cost of filter replacements as well.

[schleppp]

That thing is amazing! As for cost, yes the initial investment would be high, however, it would more than pay for itself. A developing country could greatly reduce medical expenses and increase GDP by reducing lost labor due to water borne illness.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by schleppp

That thing is amazing! As for cost, yes the initial investment would be high, however, it would more than pay for itself. A developing country could greatly reduce medical expenses and increase GDP by reducing lost labor due to water borne illness.

It's possible that they may recover initial costs, but what third world developing country will be willing to shell out millions to provide bicycles to it's people? I'm assuming $100+/bike x 100s of thousands of families. Not to mention maintenance and regular filter replacements.

I do agree it is a great idea though. It just needs to be a little more cost effective before it be a viable solution.

Duc

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by Pato

but what third world developing country will be willing to shell out millions to provide bicycles to it's people?
Duc

My guess is none of them... It would be up to the Worlds developed nations to supply them for the most part.

[katonk]

Medical expenses? Um... I think you mean funeral expenses. In places that would need the these bikes, people who get water borne illnesses just die.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by schleppp

My guess is none of them... It would be up to the Worlds developed nations to supply them for the most part.

I'd be willing to look into a charity ride. Hell, we ride 20-30 miles around here just for fun. It would be good to have them pedal for a better standard of living.

It's a good idea and I hope it catches on.

I actually did a little research and they made this filter system for an "Innovate or Die" contest sponsored by Specialized.

http://www.innovate-or-die.com/

[Drum n MTB]

I'm sure there are plenty of charity organizations that would love this thing. If water has always been a problem, then this seems like a very simple solution, or at least a step in the right direction. Although there will probably be problems like theft and such, the idea is there and I'm sure there can be improvements made to cut costs.

[katonk]

For this to be a real solution, millions of them would be needed. Lets pretend that they cost $10 to make, distribute and maintain forever. The only "charitable" organization that would swing that kind of cash is the Federal Government of the USA.

Realistically, this kind of money is better spent on real infrastructure and education. The bike is cool and I'm sure a very real alternative in many situations, but I doubt it would be a "solution" for any nation.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by katonk

For this to be a real solution, millions of them would be needed. Lets pretend that they cost $10 to make, distribute and maintain forever. The only "charitable" organization that would swing that kind of cash is the Federal Government of the USA.

Realistically, this kind of money is better spent on real infrastructure and education. The bike is cool and I'm sure a very real alternative in many situations, but I doubt it would be a "solution" for any nation.

Not to get too negative and MTBR, but doesn't change have to start somewhere. Granted, this isn't going to solve very many of the underlying issues in most developing countries, but it could at least point them in a good direction.

Raise the standard of living of an area and it will do wonders for the overall viability of a region. Once the basics are covered in an area (food, water, sanitation), the more likely it is that the other issues can be addressed and problems solved.