A vehicle that caused social upheaval
SC24 Prompt 8
Wave 1 | Prompt 8: A vehicle that, when introduced, caused social upheaval
Type: Vehicle
This prompt was particularly challenging for me to write for, given my specific setting and style of my world. It’s a low-tech solarpunk setting, so I couldn’t, or want to, do flying cars and such that you typically see in solarpunk concept art.
This was also the final prompt I finished out of 42.
I used some AI help to generate some ideas on a vehicle in a low-tech solarpunk setting that also had some kind of social upheaval, not necessarily in a negative way. One of the things was a bicycle, but I didn’t really use any of the details it generated. I realized; “Oh, of course! Ebikes. See those in the city all the time.”
Electric bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, are crafted from a combination of recycled lightweight metal alloys, such as aluminum and titanium, which are known for their durability and strength. The frame is carefully designed to be sleek and aerodynamic, maximizing both aesthetics and functionality.
The e-bike uses advanced graphene batteries, which are known for their exceptional battery lifespan. E-bikes also have the ability to be recharged through pedaling or from the power grid. In addition, these bikes are equipped with an electric motor to provide powered-assist pedaling, enhancing the overall riding experience.
Using a technology I created earlier (not for a prompt or anything, just randomly created it), Ebikes use graphene batteries to store power and are used for pedal assist. They also use some kind of recycled lightweight metal alloy for the frame.
While e-bikes are primarily tailored for urban environments, they are also engineered to navigate through rough pavements and mild terrains with ease, offering a versatile commuting option for riders.
Not only serving as a practical mode of transportation through dense urban areas, e-bikes also represent a significant commitment to sustainable living. By utilizing recycled materials in their construction and promoting emission-free transportation, these innovative vehicles contribute to a greener and more environmentally friendly way of commuting.
Of course, Ebikes are kind of designed for urban use; they can be taken on rough pavement or mild terrains. Probably not the best to take up a mountain…
When it was first introduced, people were thrilled about the introduction of an eco-friendly and quicker mode of transportation within the city. As a result, the EcoPlate Project has enthusiastically embraced the use of these bikes to access confined areas where larger vehicles cannot reach. This enables them to gather excess produce from urban gardens and transport it to regions experiencing food shortages, contributing to the alleviation of food scarcity.
The EcoPlate Project would most likely have a fleet of their own branded Ebikes for quicker access to some urban gardens, to collect the produce, and to deliver it to areas suffering from food scarcity.
The bicycle is equipped with a regenerative system that harnesses the user's pedaling to generate electricity, which can then be stored in a battery for later use. Additionally, the bike is designed to be compatible with the power grid, allowing for rapid charging when plugged in.
The graphene battery pack can be easily removed for maintenance and replacement. This feature ensures that maintaining and replacing the battery is a straightforward process, allowing for efficient upkeep of the power source.
You can recharge the batteries by pedaling yourself, or just plug it in. They can also be taken out for maintenance or just to replace it. I might even do where some can also do regenerative breaking, too.
In the event that the bike runs out of energy, or if the user prefers, the bike can be completely powered by human effort. Alternatively, if the user desires, they have the option to activate assist mode. When in assist mode, the bike will seamlessly amplify pedaling effort by utilizing the stored battery power, making the riding experience much easier.
When utilizing pedal-assist on e-bikes, the maximum speed for most electric bikes is around 42 km/h (26.10 mph). While this speed can be reached, it's not typical for the majority of riders, particularly in crowded urban environments where such high speeds are generally not practical or safe.
You can choose to pedal without any assist, or with powered assist. With the powered-assist on, some bikes can reach up to 42 km/h (26.10 mph). (Apparently, this is the average speed of actual Ebikes.)
However, in urban environments, you can’t really get up to that speed, nor would it really be safe to. But it’s nice if you’re along some bike path that stretches for a long distance or something.