Contents |
HybriPed & Engines
The HybriPed Sprocket can be used in conjunction with any internal combustion engine such as 2-stroke motor, 4-stroke motor or a diesel motor. In practice, it is likely to be used with 2-stroke motors because of these features, including:
- Low purchase cost
- High power to weight ratio
- Fewer moving parts
- Light weight
- Smaller motor body
Typically, the motor is centrally located on the frame such that the vehicle is well balanced and the motor body does not interfere with cyclist's legs or bicycle cranks or pedals.
The HybriPed YouTube movies illustrate the HybriPed Sprocket as part of a bicycle fitted with a 2-stroke motor. Its small physical size means that it can be carried on the bike frame and non affect good cycling ergonomics.
A 4-stroke motor that replicates the 2-stroke motor above is not available. Bicycles fitted with 4-stroke motors tend to be used as fully powered vehicles, as opposed to the Traveller Bike concept which permits full operational capability as a bicycle.
Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases
2-stroke motors developed a poor reputation for air pollution, especially in Asian cities where millions of smoking 2-stroke caused immense health damage amongst the city populations. The smoke was mainly due to burning oil, but the conventional 2-stroke combustion process causes unburnt hydrocarbons to be liberated to the atmosphere. However, the millions of smoking 2-stroke motorcycles burning mineral oil that crowd into densely-populated cities is a vastly different proposition to a handful of 2-stroke motor-assisted bicycles burning modern synthetic oil in a country like Australia, with its wide open spaces (except for a few city locations).
Serious problems with air quality tend to occur in areas with high traffic density and unfavourable local local atmospheric conditions.
Understand also, that carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas problem that is the main climate change agent on the planet. Carbon dioxide emissions are derived from coal (the main source of electricity) and petroleum (gasoline). Carbon pollution primarily emanates from burnt hydrocarbons and is cumulative in the atmosphere. In terms of carbon footprint, the 2-stroke motor is no worse than a 4-stroke motor or an electrical motor. In a conventional carbureted 2-stroke, about 30% of the unburnt fuel mix is lost to the atmosphere. Consequently, when a suitable 4-stroke engine or Direct Injection 2-stroke is developed, then it is quite feasible that even more economy could be extracted from the Traveller Bike concept.
Managing Air Quality
It is possible to manage 2-stoke bicycle motors by region and locality. With the Traveller Bike, 2-strokes could be prohibitied on bicycle paths, around pedestrians or in business districts. This approach to regulation would suit cyclists, who have most to gain from sharing the road with more motor-assisted bicycles than motor cars.
The Future:- Cutting edge personal transport
The most climate-friendly motor vehicle on the planet is a bicycle fitted with a motor that is seldom used. This concept is only feasible with lightweight vehicles, so that the vehicle can be used as a pedal cycle most of the time.
This is a simple but profound concept and I don't know why someone with more brains than me has not tried to develop it.
New regulations are due to take effect in the USA from 2011 affecting motorized bikes. It is important that enthusiasts understand that this affects them as it will affect the importation of carbureted bike engines. Read more: Control of Emissions From Nonroad Spark-Ignition Engines and Equipment
The introduction of efficient 2-stroke engines means that the extremely high milage that can be achieved with the Traveller Bike could be up to 30% higher!
Cheers Greg Clausen
