Rawat unveils eco-friendly electricity generating bicycle

An eco-friendly power-generating bicycle that can meet a rural household's electricity needs for 24 hours was unveiled today.
After one hour of pedalling, the stationary bicycle can produce enough electricity to run a rural household for a day, including running lights, a small fan and charging a cell phone.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat unveiled the bicycle that is manufactured by Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist Manoj Bhargava saying it will prove to be a boon not only for the remote hill areas of the state but for people all over the country who don't have access to power.
"It is a matter of great happiness that Bhargava has decided to first start selling this unique product from Uttarakhand and later make forays into the rest of the domestic market," Rawat said.

Disclosing the state government's plans to introduce Uttarakhand's women's self help groups to the environment- friendly power-generating bicycle, Rawat showered praise on Bhargava for lending a helping hand in the state's development and expressed hope he will also utilise his technical expertise in tourism and irrigation sectors.
Noting that at least 500 villages in the remote hill areas of the state suffer from paucity of electricity, Rawat said the power generating bicycle will prove to be highly useful for small middle-class families and households.
Priced low so that more and more people can afford it, production of the bicycle will start soon, Bhargava said.