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How much energy is produced when an average human being peddles a bicycle normally?


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Posted

Are you asking for energy the body produces or the mechanical work being done? i.e. are you looking at what you can do with the energy, or how many Calories the person is burning? Because no heat engine is 100% efficient. The range of values CaptainPanic cites are for mechanical work; the thermal output will be around 4 times higher.

Posted

An electrically assisted bicycle uses a 200W motor which has no difficulty in maintaining 15 mph along the flat. This falls nicely within the limits given by CaptainPanic.

Posted

Are you asking for energy the body produces or the mechanical work being done? i.e. are you looking at what you can do with the energy, or how many Calories the person is burning? Because no heat engine is 100% efficient. The range of values CaptainPanic cites are for mechanical work; the thermal output will be around 4 times higher.

That's an important point since a 200W electric bicycle doesn't come with an 800W heater but a pedal-powered bicycle does.

 

 

 

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