Here’s something for The Kneeslider garage. You’ve all seen those portable jumpstart packs you can attach to the battery of your car or motorcycle or whatever and get going when your battery is dead and you’ve probably also noticed how many electronic devices like radios are coming out now with a hand crank charger for emergencies. The Freecharge Weza (where did that name come from?) combines the two devices into one so you have an emergency jumpstart pack that charges from a plug or a foot pumped lever. The output goes through either a cigarette lighter plug or a set of jumper cables. Unfortunately, it’s not available until March of next year but I think this will do pretty well.

That really is a pretty neat device but it got me thinking. Let’s take this idea a few steps further. Suppose you have an electric car or even a hybrid, you put foot levers at each seat and anyone riding in that position could contribute to the cause. Think about it. “C’mon kids you’re not pulling your weight, the car’s slowing down! Daddy’s late already.” Or how about the bus, lots of seats there, lots of wasted energy if you’re just sitting and enjoying the ride. You could put a bumper sticker on your car or truck “Powered by Cheerios” or whatever else you had for breakfast. Think about it. It could happen. … Am I drinking too much coffee?

Freecharge Weza

via Treehugger - and I’m really surprised they didn’t suggest this