Pedal Power

Pedal Power

Sometimes you just have to try it yourself to understand it. That’s the idea behind “Pedal Power,” a unit that allows a person to see how much energy it takes to light up three different types of light bulbs and other common household appliances.

On loan from a statewide program called KEEP (K-12 Energy Education Program) based in Stevens Point, Pedal Power allows adults and youth to see if they can generate enough energy by way of pedaling a bicycle to illuminate an incandescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), a light emitting diode (LED), a hair dryer, and a radio.

“It’s a very easy way to get people to understand why LED and CFL light bulbs are so much more energy efficient and to see the surprising amount of energy it takes to generate heat like that used by hair dryers, for example,” said Judy Spring, member of Sustain Sauk County.

The Sauk County Land Conservation Department and Sustain Sauk County were selected as one of three Wisconsin sites to host Pedal Power through the summer of 2012. “The unit has been traveling to various 4-H After-School Programs and recently to a Rotary meeting,” said Penny Pohle, Land Conservation Education Coordinator. “It’s a really fun way for people of all ages to actually experience energy usage and better understand why energy conservation is so important. There’s information along with it to show how to use the unit with all different age groups, including college students, adults and teens, as well as younger children.”

Pedal Power is available for use at no cost by schools, clubs, churches and other groups throughout Sauk County. “The unit is very easy to transport, there are trained volunteers who can show how to use it, and thanks to Wildside Adventure Sports in Baraboo, the bicycle is provided as well,” said Pohle.

For more information on the program or to reserve Pedal Power, contact Penny Pohle at the Sauk County Land Conservation Department at ppohle@co.sauk.wi.us or 355-3245 or check out the following website: http://www.co.sauk.wi.us/landconservationpage/pedal-power
 

Contact Information:
 

Penny Pohle
Sauk County Land Conservation
505 Broadway, Suite 232
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 355-3245