When the fire department confiscated protestor’s gasoline tanks and generators, Time’s Up member Keegan Stephan took the bicycle-cum-generator he had set up as a display and began powering the movement.
Stating the growing number of fuel tanks and generators were violating fire safety code and creating a potentially dangerous environment, the FD has said they’re return the generators and equipment but that they can’t be used. So, to power lights, cell phones, etc., Stephan has been pedaling a stationary Schwinn hooked up to a dynamo to charge batteries.
According to the NY Times, Stephan says six hours of pedaling creates enough stored juice for 100 hours of power. Occupy Boston donated a few bicycle/generator contraptions they had rigged up, too, and it seems the crowds are gathering to see what’s up. Looks like the Occupy movement could bring about some unintended changes: a deeper look at the bicycle as a way to save energy.
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