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Exercise Bikes Used to Light Homeless Shelter

by Rob Walker | January 29, 2008 at 10:08 am

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Imagine taking this further, and setting up power generators in Gyms and Spas across Toronto.

Then they could take the power down to Shelters and schools. I mean, the work is being done anyway, right?

The Salvation Army Gateway shelter will soon be glowing with lights using pedal power from old exercise bikes.
The WeloBike project launches Feb. 12 at the Jarvis St. shelter and volunteers are needed to come in and pedal away for at least 30 minutes at a stretch.
That energy will be stored in an attached battery pack and used to light up the rooms.
"It brings a whole new meaning to the expression 'people power', " said WeloBike founder Cyril Guerette.
The initiative makes people aware of the work that goes into electricity production and how more energy efficient LEDs and Tungsten halogens are compared to regular light bulbs.