A Few Bicycle Innovations
Bicycles are always ready for some additional innovations.
There is just so much that can be done with a bike, and so many
problems to be solved with existing designs. For example, I am
tired of going numb down there when I take a long ride. The first
invention I would like to see, then, is a better bicycle seat
for men. Maybe a seat that uses two padded "rests"
for just the legs, which rotate, so as not to interfere with
the pedaling motion. In between is the space necessary for comfort.
Here are a few more ideas waiting for someone to implement
them...
Pet Carrier
I would make one that rides over or to the front of the handlebars.
It would be just for small dogs and other small pets, of course.
Bicycle Movie Machine
The idea here is that stationary bicycles wouldn't be too
boring to use if you actually felt like you were going somewhere.
A TV screen in front of you isn't enough though. You have to
actually be able to turn down a street on the screen and see
what is there. In fact, there should be sufficient scenes that
you can explore this alternate world for many months or even
years. If the scenes were real places, this could be educational
as well as good exercise.
Note: When I first suggested this (I wrote this page many
years ago), the technology was not nearly as developed. Now,
with many interactive video games out there it seems likely that
we'll see something like my bike movie machine soon.
Stationary Bicycle Electrical Generators
This is for survivalists and others who just want a backup
source of power. It could used with any bicycle. The technology
has been in use for decades in the form of those bike lights
that are operated by a rubber wheel that is turned by contact
with the bicycle wheel. Bicycle generators in other forms undoubtedly
exist too. The idea here is to mass produce something that can
easily run a light, a radio, and maybe a few other small things.
Rail-Runner Attachment
This will not be popular with the railroad companies, but
wouldn't it be great to be able to bike along the rails? Train
tracks go many places that roads don't go. A device that held
the bicycle wheels on the track would let you into these places.
Of course, it would have to be easily removed, for the occasional
passing of a train.
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