What the Carbon Cycle Demonstrates

The Carbon Cycle enables the rider to feel the difference in the amount of energy required to power an energy saving lamp in comparison to an ordinary lamp.

The ratio is about 1:5, so much more effort is required to pedal the machine when the ordinary lamp is switched on. In comparison, when powering the energy efficient lamp the added effort from that of overcoming the machines friction can hardly be detected.

A display board in front of the rider provides operating instructions and explanation of the running cost and carbon dioxide emission differences between the two lamps. There is an energy meter on the control panel indicating the amount of energy being used.

The machine also demonstrates 'renewable energy' since the energy to drive the machine is derived from animal/vegetable food eaten by the rider which grew as a result of sunlight energy falling on the earth recently as opposed to sunlight energy that fell to earth millions of years ago resulting in vegetation that eventually turned into fossil fuel.

The Carbon Cycle is made of waste material, re-used items and off-cuts so it also provides a good example of what can be done with waste. On the rear of the display board details of the materials used are given.