Pedal-Powered Meetings.
This was part of an April Fool's day joke. Please click here to see our reasons for doing this.
Throughout Environment Month, our club will be reducing its carbon footprint by powering our meeting technology — including the laptop and projector — with stationary bike generators. Members will take turns pedalling during our Friday morning meetings to produce the electricity needed for the presentation setup.
“It’s a fun and hands-on way to rethink how we consume energy,” says Danielle Lemieux, Chair of the Environmental Committee. “We’re committed to sustainability — and if we get a bit of cardio in along the way, all the better.”
👣 How It Works:
A stationary bike equipped with a generator will be set up at our meeting venue.
Members will rotate through short pedalling shifts to keep the system running.
A wattage monitor will track our power output throughout the meeting.
Pedallers are encouraged to wear business casual with stretch.
Remote participants aren’t left out — thanks to a partnership with the Atlantic Footprint Energy Co-op, we’ll be offering a limited number of foot-pedal generators for members attending by Zoom. These small devices allow you to generate energy while charging your laptop or mobile device from home.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much power does one person generate?
A: On average, enough to run a laptop and projector — and we’re testing whether it can toast a bagel.
Q: What if someone forgets to pedal?
A: The screen will go dark, and we’ll all take a quiet moment to reflect on our reliance on fossil fuels.
Q: Can I bring my own bike?
A: Yes — bonus points for decorative streamers.
Q: Are the foot pedal kits really effective?
A: Absolutely. They can charge most small devices. One member even powered an electric toothbrush (briefly).
Q: Is this permanent?
A: We’ll review the initiative in May, pending hamstring-related feedback.
🚲 Want to Try It at Home?
If you're a member or non-member interested in borrowing a stationary bike or foot pedal generator for the month of April, we’ve got you covered!
Simply email us at bikerequest@rotaryhalifaxharbour.ca and our Environment Committee will do their best to set you up with your own clean energy source.
💡 Why We're Doing This
Environmental sustainability is Rotary’s newest area of focus, and this initiative reflects our values of creativity, community leadership, and practical action. Through pedal power, we’re sparking conversation — and maybe even a few laughs — while doing something tangible for the planet.
Want to get involved or sign up for a pedal shift? Contact Danielle Lanteigne or a member of the Environmental Committee.
Together, let’s make Environment Month one of movement — literally and figuratively.
