Not probably, a human riding a bicycle is the most efficient way to convert energy into movement. No other vehicle or animal can be as efficient.
Murica
Submitted 10 hours ago by LifeLemons@lemmy.ml to greentext@sh.itjust.works
https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/c8146fd8-611b-4469-b89b-8e1304f60cf4.jpeg
Comments
yogaxpto@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
eestileib@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 hours ago
I’m disabled in a way that means I can’t use one, but can use a car, which kinda sucks.
Fortunately bike infrastructure usually helps me in my chair, so I’m all in favor of wider bike adoption.
BorgDrone@lemmy.one 2 hours ago
GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 3 hours ago
That blows. Glad the infrastructure helps your chair get around, though. Also, every biker not using a car gives you more space, so that’s an additional plus
TDCN@feddit.dk 2 hours ago
Someone can probably do the math, but i have a hunch that humans are technically not very fuel efficient if you look at calories burned pr the total mass being moved along.
But whatever it is biking is awesome, but being technically correct is even better.
SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 hour ago
Humans are actually unusually energy efficient for mammals when walking and even more so when cycling. Here’s a little info graphic showing a breakdown.
One thing to keep in mind if you have a dog is they’re less energy efficient than humans. While dogs can run faster, a reasonably fit human can easily out distance an equally fit dog when walking or distance running.
TDCN@feddit.dk 1 hour ago
Nice graphic. But it seems like it doesn’t factor in kg of mass moved. A human and a bike is a lot lighter than a car or a horse. You could also argue that the vehicle weigh should be ignored but then again you could easily argue back that weight of goods move can possibly be a lot higher with a car if you load it up to capacity.
theoli@startrek.website 1 hour ago
Quick math shows I am quite a bit more efficient than a Nissan Juke traveling 150 miles at 19mph. About 50kcal/pound for the car and 8kcal/pound for me+bike to travel the distance.
TheButter_ItSeeps@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I feel like ‘total mass being moved’ is irrelevent if most of that mass is useless (car motor/metal frame/plastic/etc).
Even if a car motor was more efficient per kg, most of the work is wasted on moving the actual car itself, regardless of the passengers & cargo.
Bikes clearly use less energy to displace ‘useful mass’ than a car, so they are more efficient in that sense.
Soup@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
Don’t forget that maintenance is super cheap AND most people, with only the most basic tools, can do the work in their living room or even just on a sidewalk. And if I don’t get it right and the brakes don’t work perfectly I probably won’t fuckin’ die.
Hi, car owner here. I do all the work myself and it requires a fair bit of knowledge, expensive tools, space, and a childhood where I was never told I couldn’t do that work if I was thoughtful about it. That’s a high fuckin’ bar and requires a whole lot of privilege-oh there it is, too many people with privilege like to shit on those without and most of North America has dogshit for public transit or bike infrastructure and the “freedom of movement” with a car is all there but heavily artificial. Thanks auto industry and their lobbyists.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 9 hours ago
I do my own bicycle and auto repair, and the bicycle is way easier. Maintenance is:
- clean chain every so often (500 miles or start of the season) - get a chain cleaner tool thing ($10-20) and 50/50 Simple Green ($10 will last many years) and water, and then rinse, dry, and lube ($10 lasts years) - total process, 10 min?
- replace chain - $20 or so, plus a tool for $10 or so; do every 2k miles or so
- replace brake pads - $10-20
- tires ($50 for a fancy fire) and tubes ($10) - replace tires when bald, tubes when flat (or patch them), and get some tire levers ($5-10) to make it easier
For tools, you need a wrench set, and probably only like 2-3 sizes.
My yearly maintenance costs for all of our bikes (1 adult, two kids) combined is about $50. If that. You could also go to your local bike shop instead for about double that.
infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net 8 hours ago
Also this is a healthy maintence regime. In my experience most cyclists only do nothing on that list except swapping flat tubes and their bikes still ride just fine, if not merely sub-optimally.
dipcart@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
This was one of the things that surprised me the most about getting a bike. Parts are cheap. The work is easy. Knowing how to do it is valuable.
Betty_Boopie@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
A quick tip on bike chains; if you are using lubricant you should never use heavy degreaser on the chain. The factory oil is the best lubricant and normal lubes don’t penetrate between links enough.
However, if you are going to degrease you chains, you should use paraffin wax instead of lube. I have an 11 speed chain with 3000+ miles and it’s only showing around 1% stretch. I don’t even use fancy bike specific wax, just food grade gulf wax. Another plus is the whole drive train is dry; doesn’t get your hands dirty if you need to remove a wheel, cassette, or derailleur.
Admittedly waxing the chain is a pain in the ass, but some of my chains are like $70 a pop so getting as much life from them is more important.
Jesus_666@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
And if you have a bike with a belt you can replace all chain-related maintenance with “check if the belt looks weird maybe once a year”.
tetris11@lemmy.ml 8 hours ago
For the newer cars, the lockout of self repair is real. You need an EEPROM reader to get the diagnostics out, and only then using firmware found on a chinese forum. Fixing a part requires you to just order a replacement, and once you take apart the car and put the part in, you then need to tell the cars electronics to accept the part as part of its diagonistics or it wont fucking start, even if everything else is fine.
Soup@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Yea that’s nearly 100% untrue, though. TPMS sensors can be a little weird but no one is changing tires themselves, only whole wheels for summer/winter.
Brakes, sparkplugs, tierods, suspension, all oils, many sound systems and/or parts thereof, filters, batteries, and even a whole headlight assembly are all things you don’t need to tell the car about. I put a backup camera in my car and it just figured it out all on it’s own since there was technically an option for it, and I wasn’t even using an OEM camera. And the car usually doesn’t even know what’s wrong but if there IS a code you can just use an OBD2 reader, they aren’t exactly expensive and they’re super easy to use.
You either have no idea what you’re talking about or are a mechanic that I’m glad I’m not taking my vehicle to. My 2015 BRZ that has literally none of that, not even TPMS sensors(I know 2015 is not that new anymore but people have been saying this shit for decades). This is exactly why I show people how it works, so that they can understand that it’s not that hard or complicated.
P.S.: if it’s a German vehicle just shoot yourself, it’ll be a much less painful experience than realizing that a bunch of high-paid engineers with great reputations among the laypeople are really just the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet. Also less physically painful, too. You can still do the work, they just put everything in terrible places and use bolts that have needlessly unique and more fragile heads. Fuck you, VW, you idiots.
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 7 hours ago
Mechanical work comes pretty easy to me. I have no doubt I can fix virtually anything on my bike, short of things that require welding (we might see about that someday too…).
But cars mechanical work? Tried it some times. Frustrating as hell, don’t even want to touch it. I hate everything about cars, including the way they’re built.
Batman@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
I think it heavily depends on the make. Both my families mustang and f150 were terrible to repair. But my camry by comparison is a joy. I can tear it apart almost the whole way with a 10 and 12 mm in an afternoon.
I’ve done work in soft manufacturing, so i know how to use a wrench, but never worked in cars.
96VXb9ktTjFnRi@feddit.nl 3 hours ago
Welcome to the Netherlands. If there’s anything that fills me with pride it’s our cycling culture. Most people have a car too, but I don’t, and I do everything by bike and public transport.
Bosht@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
I dream of immigrating there.
vandsjov@feddit.dk 2 hours ago
Denmark checking in. Not unusual for people in the city not to have a car. I’m happy with my bike that I use every workday to cycle into the city centrum in all weather - I love dressing myself up in rain boots, rain paints and rain jacket and be on my way in heavy rain or snow, feeling like I’m in an episode of Deadliest Catch
the_doktor@lemmy.zip 1 hour ago
Enables people with mobility issues
Allows people to move about farther than just a few miles or so
Allows people to transport a lot of goods (and/or heavy goods) easily
Doesn’t make you exhausted if you have to go up hills
AIR CONDITIONING/HEATER
Fuck your walkable/bike nightmare “utopia”.
queermunist@lemmy.ml 1 minute ago
My ebike has enabled me to take 40 mile round trips, saves me on hills (though honestly once you’re fit it’s not a big deal anyway), helps me carry lots of goods, and since I’m usually going fast the wind cools me down (though a little spray bottle helps keep me cool when it’s really hot). I’m usually warm enough from enough from physical exertion that I don’t really need a heater (unless it’s so blisteringly cold that the fog of my breath turns to ice in my balaclava, but that’s way below freezing.)
The only thing that really stops me is ice. Any other weather I can handle, but when there’s ice my bike goes inside.
DavidDoesLemmy@lemmynsfw.com 9 minutes ago
The more people on bikes, the better it is for drivers as there’s less car traffic. People get stuck in traffic jams in their car for hours, yet if they get stuck behind a bike for 10 seconds they lose their shit
Highstronaught@feddit.uk 14 minutes ago
Lots of disabled people can’t drive, bike infrastructure also accommodates wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hand bikes and other ways disabled people get around.
50% of journeys are 5 miles or less, nobody is seriously suggesting going long distances on bikes (though I have)
You can easily carry a full load of shopping, bits from the diy shop and more, there are even tradespeople who work via a cargo bike rather than van
By cycling you get fitter very quick, you learn to pace yourself but you get faster as you get fitter. E-bikes are also an option too
Can’t fix the air con issue, when I cycled to work I took a change of clothes and got changed there I don’t live in a very hot place though. As for cold, a good set of waterproof mittens, some waterproof overtrousers and a good coat work wonders (and can be used when your not on a bike too)
What about those who can’t drive, how do they get around?
kameecoding@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I agree with your points, trains are fucking awesome too.
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 8 hours ago
Bikes were and still are a revolutionary technology. There’s a reason suffragettes were often associated with bicycles.
RejZoR@lemmy.ml 6 hours ago
Rain, ice and severe cold are a removed. I like bicycles, but driving to work in a heated car looking at that poor cyclist riding somewhere at 6 in the morning at -6°C, sorry, no, I’m gonna go with a car.
NikkiDimes@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
are a removed.
Bro, it might be time to leave .ml lol
e8d79@discuss.tchncs.de 5 hours ago
I disagree cycling in winter is nice. Just get some warm clothes and good tyres. A car is also really expensive to own in the city. Why pay for a car and parking when the alternative is almost free and arguably more fun.
deltapi@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
It was minus seventeen degrees celsius when I got up yesterday. In the time it would take me to bicycle to work on clear paths/roads - assuming no accidents - I would have frostbite on all of my face unless I was also wearing a full-face helmet.
__nobodynowhere@sh.itjust.works 5 hours ago
I’m less likely to sweat profusely in winter
BorgDrone@lemmy.one 3 hours ago
Like my mom used to say: are you made of sugar?
GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 6 hours ago
If the weather is bad enough, I will take transit instead, but cycling down to -10 C is doable without any problems.
I will be far less inclined to bike if it’s raining, that I do hate with a passion. Of course, I could just work from home in that scenario as well, if I don’t feel like taking transit
Bosht@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
If the cities are built for it, cycling doesn’t become something where you’re doing it for extended periods or distances. Neighborhoods that are setup for bikes means everything is local area, or mostly.
HonoraryMancunian@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
Was the removed word bitch (female dog) by any chance I wonder?
ikidd@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
Because lemmy.ml is run by a bunch of pearl-clutchers that think profanity is a tool of the capitalist oppressors.
someguy3@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
Why did you ask if the removed word is removed?
Ibuthyr@lemmy.wtf 6 hours ago
Ice and snow are difficult. But I don’t give a shit about the rest. It’s still way more fun than sitting in traffic.
chiliedogg@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Arrive to work soaked in sweat because it’s been 100+ degrees every day for the past 8 weeks.
knexcar@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
You lose the benefits of it being cheap, but an ebike is a decent solution
chiliedogg@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
I rode one for a while in college.
Didn’t really help with the sweat problem between April and October in Texas. Or was less work than pedaling, but nothing aside from air conditioning helps with the sweat issue in Texas summer heat.
Pacattack57@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Being cheap is the entire benefit. Everything else is just a plus. If you lose the cost it’s not worth it at that point.
Olhonestjim@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Well, that is largely caused by cars.
SoftestSapphic@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Workplaces that require employees to be presentable then offer locker rooms, showers, and enough reasonable time to get ready to accommodate the fact that everyone who works a service job arrives soaked in sweat.
Treczoks@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
“Just leave it anywhere there is a secure structure” - Yes, I see this regularly when I have to maneuver around bikes carelessly “parked” in the middle of the pedestrian walkway…
unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 10 hours ago
Cuz putting on a raincoat or some warm clothes is too much for these weak ass people.
Nfamwap@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I get the sentiment, but a raincoat isn’t enough on its own. Sure, if you’ve got a 5 minute commute, you can get there quickly and spend minimal time in the rain.
A 20 minute commute in the pissing rain and you will be arriving soaked from head to toe. Not ideal for most. Yeh if you can shower at work then great, but then you’ve still got wet clothes you need to dry.
I’m very lucky that I have a 5 minute ride to work, all downhill, so unless the weather is biblical, I don’t really have an excuse for taking the car.
NewNewAccount@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
I’m very lucky that I have a 5 minute ride to work, all downhill
That ride home though.
Vinstaal0@feddit.nl 4 hours ago
In The Nederlands people bike to school, which can be a bike ride of more than an hour away.
A raincote is not enough, but a rainsuit will do the job.
My issue with biking to work is the sweat …
Matriks404@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Well… that said, I’ve recently ridden by bike, and during the last few kilometers I barely could move one of my fingers, because I didn’t wear any kind of gloves or coat. It was cold as shit, but I still enjoyed the ride in the end, lol.
unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 2 hours ago
Yeah good gloves are for sure a must in the winter. The upside is that you have less bugs around when its cold :)
letsgo@lemm.ee 7 hours ago
A bicycle gives you freedom of lightweight activities within a few miles of your home. You want to play baritone sax in the band 25 miles away? It’s not happening with a bike.
grue@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
I’ve got a cargo e-bike that could handle that just fine.
Hoimo@ani.social 6 hours ago
The 25 miles is a bit much, but if your instrument/sporting gear can fit in a bag, you can carry it on a bike. There’s backpacks for guitars, cellos and tubas and I regularly see kids cycling to their lessons with those. This is a fairly dense town though, so 5km max (20 minutes at child-speeds). Kids also can’t drive cars, so if it’s not happening by bike, it’s not happening at all.
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 7 hours ago
For me? Yeah 25 miles is a bit much depending on how regular that commute is. Once a week, maybe. Once a day, like a job? 5 miles tops is my limit. But I’ve heard of people doing 20-25 mile work commutes before.
Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
If you are really active and can shower at work it can be fine. Bit if not it will suck.
Sheldan@programming.dev 6 hours ago
If you do it a few times and get used to it, 20 can be fine, if there is a shower at work it certainly is better.
FMT99@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
But what if i need to commute 600 miles to work and back every day and on top of that once a year I drive a million miles to my vacation home? Checkmate!
reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net 4 hours ago
I used to love to bike but I moved to an area with steep hills and it’s too high effort. Wish they would install those hill lifts some countries have. I walk now. Would love an electric but the expense makes it much more painful when it’s stolen (and every one of my regular bikes has eventually been stolen).
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 4 hours ago
Because there’s no Microcenter in my city.
Cold_Brew_Enema@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Cool let me just bike 30 miles to my job and back everyday sounds good
HighFructoseLowStand@lemm.ee 6 hours ago
Because it’s harder to kill someone by hitting them with it.
But in all seriousness, you can go a lot farther, a lot faster, across much worse terrain and weather in a car than a bike.
dQw4w9WgXcQ@lemm.ee 5 hours ago
I live in rural Norway up in the mountain side. We have wind, snow, ice and rain like hell, and I have ~150 elevation to get to the main road to get anywhere.
… I’m still considering getting a bike for all the mentioned benefits.
ilikecoffee@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
> hills
LH0ezVT@sh.itjust.works 2 hours ago
The one downside is that a lot of people I know have had some nasty accidents and broke a bone or something. Sure, in cars you are also at the risk of kissing a tree at highway speed, but bike accidents feel a lot more common and have a lot less protective metal involved
heavydust@sh.itjust.works 9 hours ago
inexpensive
lol, most bikes nowadays cost $1000. Also stolen every time so you have to call Uber. Also can’t get groceries or take the highway.
less likely to kill
More likely to be killed.
BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 5 hours ago
Cold, rain etc… And moving heavy things (like heavy groceries)
Demonmariner@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
Try this when you are in your 70’s and come back and we’ll chat. And bring a cure for my chronically poor balance on your way over.
Matriks404@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
They might be inexpensive where you live. I’ve paid half of my paycheck for my bicycle, and it’s not even that good.
Perhapsjustsniffit@lemmy.ca 8 hours ago
My only issue is the grocery store is a half an hour drive away by car because we live rural. We shop once a month for staples and stock a lot of things in bulk to avoid making multiple trips. Not everyone does or should live in a city.
AnimalsDream@slrpnk.net 7 hours ago
Bikes are only cheap if you rarely use them, or are just starting out. Spend enough time on them and you will start looking at all the gear, components, and upgrades that can improve your quality of life. There is definitely a point where insurance becomes necessary, but luckily even bike insurance is much less expensive than auto insurance.
ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works 7 hours ago
I know a couple of people my age (about 40) who really prefer not to drive, but it’s such a strange preference IRL that I suspect most people with it have just never experienced how much better it is to have a car and live somewhere where driving is convenient.
I know that sounds patronizing but I was a bikes/mass transit supporter myself when I was younger and it was 100% because I never learned how to drive and I didn’t know what I was missing.
umbrella@lemmy.ml 7 hours ago
because the entire transport infrastructure is geared towards making cars the safest, quickest and most convenient way of getting places.
i own a pedal bike and enjoy riding, but i can get places nowhere near the speed and safety. i almost always need at least a bus ticket to get halfway there, which forces me to rent the damn bikes wherever i go if i want to use them. a basic city motorcycle or scooter is probably fucking cheaper and quicker, which is probably why they seem to be so popular where i live.
Lemjukes@lemm.ee 7 hours ago
ITT: people who don’t understand how geography works.
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 5 minutes ago
Anyone who has ridden in rain and adverse weather would know one reason cars are more popular.