Bici-Tec 2015 class registration is now open!

Hey everyone, if you don't know, Bici-tec is the latest project of Carlos Marroquin (formerly of Maya Pedal). They do amazing work in Guatemala and have just started taking applications for their 2015 program. Highly recommended, Carlos is an amazing teacher. Here's more from them:



The Bici-Tec School of Appropriate Bici-Technology in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala is now accepting applications for the first session of our training program in 2015, which will run from February 2nd to April 3rd 2015. Join us to learn how to build bicycle machines and grow the movement of appropriate bici-technology!

This program offers training in the design, fabrication and installation of bicycle machines, such as bicycle-powered corn grinders and water pumps. These bicycle machines are an affordable and environmentally sustainable technology that increases rural productivity and furthers rural development. The economic opportunities offered by bicycle technology can lead to the autonomy and empowerment of rural and indigenous families and communities worldwide.

This is a hands-on learning experience facilitated by Bici-Tec founder Carlos Marroquin, a world leader in pedal-powered technology. Carlos comes to the program with over fifteen years experience in design, construction and implementation of bici-technology. International and Guatemalan students will study side by side in this hands-on program. We are now accepting applications through December 1st for this exciting program!

If you’re interested in attending the Bici-Tec School of Appropriate Bici-Technology at a different time, stay tuned for more information about our Summer 2015 session!

Visit our website for more information and to apply – www.bicitec.org

Follow us on Facebook – www.fb.com/bicitecGT

Email us with any questions – info@bicitec.org


Watch the video here:

http://vimeo.com/87467524

Pedal-Power Design + Build

A friend sent me a link a while ago for an interesting company called Pedal Powered Design + Build.

The company, based out of Essex NY, is comprised of Andy Wekin and Steve Blood. The duo has created two pedal-powered machines for sale through their site, the Big Rig and the Pedal Genny. The Big Rig is a multi-function machine that can run a number low horsepower devices. Its versatility comes from a flywheel-outfitted central axle that includes several driving pulleys and gears to attach to your desired device. Wekin and Blood appear to have built the holy grail of pedal-powered machines; a PTO (power take off) that runs just about anything.

Their second machine, the Pedal Genny, is a single function machine. Whereas it can be assembled to operate a number of different devices it is designed to have a dedicated function. Though it does less, doesn't include a work surface, or a slick adjustable seat, its advantages are that it's much smaller and comes with a more approachable price tag- $350.00 (as opposed to $2000.00 for the Big Rig).

Check out this video to see the Big Rig in action:

This past winter Wekin & Blood completed a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, more than tripling their ambitious goal of $10,000. Congratulations guys!

Of their vision and Kickstarter goal, the men behind the machines said this:

"Our hope is that someday [pedal-powered machines] will be as economical and widespread as the bicycle. To take a step towards affordability, we’re going to open source the designs of our machines. Our goal with this campaign is to raise a small amount of funding to enable us to produce high quality, open-source build plans with dimensioned drawings and step-by-step instructions."

I caught up with Andy Wekin to ask about the success of their campaign and the progress of their open source plans. Here's some of that conversation: 

Awesome job raising funds, did you guys expect to it to be so successful?

We didn't expect our campaign to be so successful- it really took on a life of it's own!

Your project received some fantastic high-profile media attention, can you say more about the role of the media in your campaign? Were you "discovered" or was national press coverage a part of your strategy?

The media attention definitely helped, and although we did have a media strategy, it spread beyond our network. There were a couple articles that really pushed our story out to a much larger audience.

Having tripled your goal, do you have any advice for other ambitious kickstarters out there?

For anyone wanting to launch a Kickstarter campaign, I would recommend pushing social media and getting your story out to as many blogs and online media outlets as possible. It also helps to have some commitments (from friends and family) in advance so that your campaign already has some momentum.

Can you tell our readership how are things progressing with your open source plans? 

The open source plans are progressing, we've posted our first plans online: http://pedal-power.com/build-plans/ We're planning on getting more plans posted as well as build instructions.

Has your vision shifted or evolved since completing your kickstarter campaign? What trajectory do you see your company taking now? 

When we first started the project, we were just two guys with an idea, and as we showed people our prototype, we discovered lots of interest and support for what we were doing. The Kickstarter campaign and the ensuing media attention was pretty wild- we've been contacted by people all over the world to help with amazing projects, featured in Outside magazine, and interviewed on the radio in New Zealand. It's beyond what I could have imagined starting out in our garage. So I would encourage everyone to have a dream and pursue it- you might be amazed where it can take you! 

Can you give us some hints about what we might see come out of your workshop next?

We've also been working on a belt driven model that would be quiet enough to use in an office setting- stay tuned for more details!

Andy thanks so much for bringing us up to date with your exciting work, look forward to seeing how things continue to progress for your company!

Bici Tec

 

Just this month Carlos Marroquin launched Bici Tec, a school of appropriate bicycle-technology (SAB) in San Andreas Itzapa, Guatemala. Marroquin was formerly the head technician at Maya Pedal, but left the organization to begin his own school. Currently the school is taking applications for its six week summer course which begins in June. Carlos is an awesome guy, a fantastic teacher, and one of the world's leading experts on human powered machines. If pedal-power is something you are interested in you should definitely consider signing up.

To learn more about the school and to apply check out Bici Tec's site- www.bicitec.org

To those that are wondering what has become of Maya Pedal, a Bikes Not Bombs volunteer recently filled me in. After Carlos' departure there has been some managerial turnover and the organization has moved multiple times. They are still in operation, now working out of an old hotel near the entrance to town. Its unclear how things are structured there now, and moreover, how the organization will fare without Carlos.