Olympic Trials, Powered (Fittingly) By Athletes

It seems appropriate that the Olympics capitalize on every form of athleticism possible. Toward this effort, the stage at the fan festival at Portland’s Olympic Track and Field tryouts was powered by 1500 hours worth of fans’ pedaling as they took turns on a dozen stationary bikes.

The idea isn’t terribly new -- people have made the connection between biking and energy before -- but it hasn’t really been harnessed. But since many entrepreneurs are harnessing expended kinetic human energy anyway, we may as well add stationary bicycles to the mix.

The Swedes are developing batteries that charge through the force we exert in our steps, the British have nightclubs powered by the dancers within, and the U.S. may as well have gyms fueled by their members’ exertions. It’s really a good idea, especially at places like gyms, roller-rinks and dance studios, where the building absorbs massive amounts of kinetic energy anyway.

I like the idea of using the energy we are essentially "wasting" anyway to power buildings. It is effortless, simply taking advantage of people’s pre-existing habits and patterns of movement. It is also seems like a perfectly complete cycle for buildings to be energized by the activity within them. It's recycling at its finest.