225
The Most Efficient Traveler Isn’t a Bird or a Fish—It’s You on a Bike (www.scientificamerican.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
43 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Non paywalled version

https://archive.md/wZytx

Turns out a car is particularly inefficient.. Who knew /s

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 10 points 1 year ago (1 child)

That's like comparing only to a person on a bike downhill

Maybe compare to birds tracking upwards air currents to move while hovering, as they actually maintain a low average energy expenditure while moving

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    And even that would be similar to someone cycling uphill, supported by the wind. Using air currents is efficient, but requires there to be air currents to use.

    Gliding is really efficient for the distance covered, however: rolling resistance of wheels and the air resistance of a (not as aerodynamic) person is higher (and hence less efficient) than birds.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent