Have you heard of Pedal Power? Co-founded by Andy Wekin and Steve Blood, this Essex, NY based business has been creating machines that allow you to generate power since 2008! Using pedal-powered machines can help you live off the grid (and will be useful during blackouts) and can give you a work out at the same time.

Pedal Power recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the research and development of their machines. Watch the video above to learn more about Pedal Power, the uses of pedal-powered technology, and the fundraiser.

Why a Kickstarter? Our machines are built by hand in our spare time and are expensive as a result. Our hope is that someday they will be as economical and widespread as the bicycle. To take a step towards affordability, we’re going to open source the designs of our machines. Our goal with this campaign is to raise a small amount of funding to enable us to produce high quality, open-source build plans with dimensioned drawings and step-by-step instructions. (Kickstarter)

Gratefully, Pedal Power has already exceeded their goal of $10,000. In fact, they’ve raised  $15,478 as of today! The campaign runs until Monday, December 30, so there is still time to support this innovative company. Every dollar helps further their goals.

“Thank you very much for all the support so far in our campaign! We have one more week and are hoping to reach our stretch goal of $35k which will enable the engineering and design for a belt drive machine which will be quieter for home and office use.”~Andy Wekin

If you have time and would like to support Pedal Power you can make a donation through kickstarter until December 30.

Visit their website www.pedal-power.com to learn more.

Related articles

• Pedal Power provides off-grid power while keeping you fit (gizmag.com)
• Weekend Diversion: Pedal power… in the office? [Starts With A Bang] (scienceblogs.com)
• Generate Your Own Electricity by Pedaling This Bicycle Desk (theatlanticcities.com)
• This pedal-powered contraption can run a computer, split logs, or churn butter (grist.org)