HanrahanOct 14

The Most Efficient Traveler Isn’t a Bird or a Fish—It’s You on a Bike

https://slrpnk.net/post/28855070

The Most Efficient Traveler Isn’t a Bird or a Fish—It’s You on a Bike - SLRPNK

Non paywalled version https://archive.md/wZytx [https://archive.md/wZytx] Turns out a car is particularly inefficient… Who knew /s

Show threadMonkderVierte

Humans aren’t very efficient movers.

Now that’s bullshit.

Oct 15 at 11:23amWeb
Show threadCevilia (they/she/…)Oct 15

Yeah, according to that graph a human (on foot) is beaten only by salmon, horse, jet transport, and… humans b/w pedal power.

We’re never gonna beat salmon, they’re pretty much the ideal swimmers. We’re also never gonna beat horses, they’re superb.

I guess all that’s left is jetpacks /j

Show threadvisnaeOct 15
I mean, depends on how you compare it. A salmon on land is pretty inefficient. 😂
Show threadMonkderVierteOct 15
Uhm, horse? Moving 4 legs with hoofs vs. 2 in pendulum and with heels.
Show threadFrezikOct 15

Compared to other things that walk, yes. Muscle efficiency is gutter tier shit in general. Internal combustion engines look good in comparison, and no, I’m not joking.

This is why e-bikes are the most efficient form of travel in terms of calories burned per km. Batteries and electric motors are about as efficient as anything can be, and it’s better when they’re not pushing around a large metal box.

In terms of lifetime CO2 output, though, they never quite catch up to regular bikes due to the extra manufacturing needs. It’s not a huge difference, though; if an e-bike is what gets people out of a car, that’s a massive win.