This concept, the Hybrid² system by Chiyu Chen, turns rental bikes into generators to power public transportation.  Hmmm…seems awfully similar to the London Garden concept that turns rental bikes into generators to power public transportation.  The renter/rider would swipe an ID or credit card to get a bike, ride it around, then return it to earn credits.  Meanwhile, the public transportation system pulls the power generated during the ride by a front-hub dynamo to power buses, subways, etc.  We’re all for big thinking, but as Ron pointed out on the London Garden post, the power generated by the bikes wouldn’t be much compared to the needs of a full size electric bus.Click on the pic below with the ID to enlarge and check out the dude’s face.  Yeah, that’s what we think, too…unless you had tons of people riding.  It just. might. work.
