We don’t often think of the watts of electricity we use when we flip on our light switch or turn on our stereo.
What if instead of burning fuel and wasting electricity we could contribute to producing natural energy through cycling?
Dave Villalobos is helping to innovate just that here in Eugene.
Villablobos, 39, current student and operations manager for the Outdoor Program, has been operating Pedal Power Music, a business that transforms bike energy into electricity to power music festivals and concerts. @@LinkedIn@@
Pedal Power started through the Outdoor Program in the summer of 2009 when Villalobos worked with a band called the Ginger Ninjas who were playing shows powered by bikes. @@google@@
“It planted a seed and hit a nerve within me,” Villalobos said.
He ran with the idea and over time the program gained more recognition. In 2009 Villalobos started Bike Music Festival in Eugene, which is a live, two-stage event every spring or summer powered by bikes. @@google@@
Then in 2011 he made it his own business completely separate of the UO.
For each event, Villalobos measures how much energy will be used. For a small concert, typically two power-producing stationary bikes are enough to power the performance. For a larger event, 12 bikes might be used.
“It’s roughly 100 watts per 100 people,” Villalobos said. “The cargo bike works by having a high efficient hub in the rear of the wheel. Once you get to said event you kick it up into a stationary bike, you pedal that and it sends electric into a battery and from there, the electricity is sent to operate speakers, lights and the sound boards.”
Villalobos smiled under his scruffy beard as he explained how there is a noticeable sense of gratitude and connection between the performers on stage with the kinetic energy produced by the cyclists.
“It’s a way to engage in a really unique way, almost like a therapeutic intervention,” Villalobos said. “There’s this total reciprocal relationship happening where the audience is actually a part of the performance.”
Pedal Power’s first international event will be March 27-29 during spring break in Cabo San Lucas, featuring local Northwest performers Marv Ellis, DJ Laura and Lafa Taylor. @@google@@
Ryan Levenson, 20, who is working on marketing for Cabo, believes in promoting green energy in and around the community and thinks that Pedal Power is helping people become more aware of energy use. @@find people@@
“I think (Pedal Power) has implications for what it could be,” Levenson said.  “I think it could be a big presence on (the West Coast) for pedal powered type events.”
Steve Mital, director of sustainability in the environmental studies department, believes that innovative measures like energy-generating workout equipment is a good way to encourage active participation in the transition to green energy. @@find people@@
“The Student Rec Center purchased about a dozen power-producing ellipticals in 2008 with a grant from EWEB,” Mital said. “Like Pedal Power Music, they provide great educational and inspirational value. We all know what 60 mph or 60 lbs feels like. Human-powered machines give people a visceral feel for the watt-hour.”
Pedal Power’s next event will be at Cozmic Pizza on Jan. 25 featuring the band Nappy Roots. @@google@@