Comments on: Guest Article: An Electrifying Commute, by Jim Tolar http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/ Bike Your Drive! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:26:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: John http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-28630 John Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:47:38 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-28630 Hi, we experienced the same thing here in Irving Texas and the power lines that run along the portion of the trail we were on , Campion, look just like the picture. The first time we rode the route it was raining and no one got shocked. The second time we rode my wife thought she was being bitten by ants on her inner thighs. When I tried to hold her bike frame I got a continual shock. As we returned she kept getting shocks and so did I when my hand slipped off my hand grips and onto the metal of the handle bars. Hi, we experienced the same thing here in Irving Texas and the power lines that run along the portion of the trail we were on , Campion, look just like the picture. The first time we rode the route it was raining and no one got shocked. The second time we rode my wife thought she was being bitten by ants on her inner thighs. When I tried to hold her bike frame I got a continual shock. As we returned she kept getting shocks and so did I when my hand slipped off my hand grips and onto the metal of the handle bars.

]]> By: JB http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-25520 JB Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:04:37 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-25520 Hi Jim, If you read carefully what I have written and cross reference it with any reputable physics text, you will find that my comments are in line with scientists' understanding of electromagnetic induction. There are other mistakes in the article too, as it happens - the idea of an induced current being stored in the 'loop' of the frame, for example (charge can be stored, but not current, which is a dynamic quantity defined as the rate of FLOW of charge). I could go on but I suspect that you're not interested in understanding these phenomena; I was hoping someone with a grasp of physics would reply to my post. Not to worry; I'll go away and leave you with your pseudo-science and half-truths to enjoy. JB Hi Jim,
If you read carefully what I have written and cross reference it with any reputable physics text, you will find that my comments are in line with scientists’ understanding of electromagnetic induction.
There are other mistakes in the article too, as it happens – the idea of an induced current being stored in the ‘loop’ of the frame, for example (charge can be stored, but not current, which is a dynamic quantity defined as the rate of FLOW of charge).
I could go on but I suspect that you’re not interested in understanding these phenomena; I was hoping someone with a grasp of physics would reply to my post. Not to worry; I’ll go away and leave you with your pseudo-science and half-truths to enjoy.
JB

]]> By: Jim http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-22660 Jim Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:44:08 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-22660 Belinda, I experienced the EXACT same thing as you did. Was dumfounded with what was happening, but after a few trips through the area and actual "sparks" occurring between my hand and the handlebars I finally figured it out. Some days are worst than others, but I finally gave up riding the route after a couple of extremely painful shocks. To JB who thinks it has nothing to do with the power lines -- you have no idea what you are talking about. It has everything to do with them. I have asked other riders if they have experienced it and a great number of them have. (but not all) Funny I had the same reaction and "googled" it and ended up here. Belinda,
I experienced the EXACT same thing as you did. Was dumfounded with what was happening, but after a few trips through the area and actual “sparks” occurring between my hand and the handlebars I finally figured it out. Some days are worst than others, but I finally gave up riding the route after a couple of extremely painful shocks.

To JB who thinks it has nothing to do with the power lines — you have no idea what you are talking about. It has everything to do with them. I have asked other riders if they have experienced it and a great number of them have. (but not all) Funny I had the same reaction and “googled” it and ended up here.

]]> By: BlackBear http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-18325 BlackBear Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:37:45 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-18325 Are you the only one on a steel bike? Are you the only one on a steel bike?

]]> By: Belinda http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-18324 Belinda Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:25:53 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-18324 The same thing happened to me today when I was riding along the power line route from Higley to Gilbert. The jolts were painful and unrelenting while I was under the lines. My family thought I was crazy, as no one else experienced it. My daughter even teased me that I was probably going to look it up on the internet when I got home. I'm glad I did! I think I'll steer clear of the power lines, though, as I hate electric shocks -- even thinking about it makes my hair stand on end. PS - Why did I experience it and no one else did? The same thing happened to me today when I was riding along the power line route from Higley to Gilbert. The jolts were painful and unrelenting while I was under the lines. My family thought I was crazy, as no one else experienced it. My daughter even teased me that I was probably going to look it up on the internet when I got home. I’m glad I did! I think I’ll steer clear of the power lines, though, as I hate electric shocks — even thinking about it makes my hair stand on end. PS – Why did I experience it and no one else did?

]]> By: JB http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-17027 JB Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:07:28 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-17027 Interesting but I doubt the accuracy of your explanation. To induce a voltage, part of your bike frame would have to be CROSSING the magnetic field lines. To do that, you would have to be moving towards or away from the power lines; you were travelling parallel to them, which would induce no voltage at all. I would suggest that it is more likely that static is being generated, possibly due to the combination of clothing you are wearing. You may protest that the phenomina only occurs as you cycle beneath the power lines, therefore it must be caused by them. However, this is probably a coincidence and it is likely that the sparks only occur there because it is a long, flat, obstacle-free part of your ride meaning that you don't change gear or brake during that part of the ride. Changing gear or braking would necessitate contact with metal parts of the bike, neutralising any static that had built up. If, whilst riding beside the canal you do not change gear or brake, sufficient charge could build up to cause a spark to jump. On other parts of your commute, where you change gear and brake frequently, only small amounts of charge will accumulate and no sparks will jump. Interesting but I doubt the accuracy of your explanation. To induce a voltage, part of your bike frame would have to be CROSSING the magnetic field lines. To do that, you would have to be moving towards or away from the power lines; you were travelling parallel to them, which would induce no voltage at all. I would suggest that it is more likely that static is being generated, possibly due to the combination of clothing you are wearing.

You may protest that the phenomina only occurs as you cycle beneath the power lines, therefore it must be caused by them. However, this is probably a coincidence and it is likely that the sparks only occur there because it is a long, flat, obstacle-free part of your ride meaning that you don’t change gear or brake during that part of the ride. Changing gear or braking would necessitate contact with metal parts of the bike, neutralising any static that had built up.

If, whilst riding beside the canal you do not change gear or brake, sufficient charge could build up to cause a spark to jump. On other parts of your commute, where you change gear and brake frequently, only small amounts of charge will accumulate and no sparks will jump.

]]> By: rick http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-14004 rick Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:12:54 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-14004 wow, thanks for that thorough explanation. i had the same exact thing happen to me today for the first time. i was driving along some powerlines when all of a sudden i felt like a hundred tiny "stings" on the inside of my thighs. i immediately jumped off my bike and started to look for ants, bees, etc. to no avail. when i realized that bugs weren't the cause of my problem, i touched the seatpost and seatpost clamp and immediately felt a tiny jolt, even seeing tiny sparks as i ran my finger along the seatpost. even though i knew nothing of EMF or EMR, i knew that obviously it had something to do with the powerlines and touching any metal parts on my bike. i simply lifted of my seat and made sure to avoid touching any metal parts on my bike as i traveled half a mile or so. wow, thanks for that thorough explanation. i had the same exact thing happen to me today for the first time. i was driving along some powerlines when all of a sudden i felt like a hundred tiny “stings” on the inside of my thighs. i immediately jumped off my bike and started to look for ants, bees, etc. to no avail. when i realized that bugs weren’t the cause of my problem, i touched the seatpost and seatpost clamp and immediately felt a tiny jolt, even seeing tiny sparks as i ran my finger along the seatpost. even though i knew nothing of EMF or EMR, i knew that obviously it had something to do with the powerlines and touching any metal parts on my bike. i simply lifted of my seat and made sure to avoid touching any metal parts on my bike as i traveled half a mile or so.

]]> By: Margaret http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-13994 Margaret Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:28:05 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-13994 Correction - Did a Google search to "check" for the phenomenon and found your article. Maybe those shocks hit my head.... Correction – Did a Google search to “check” for the phenomenon and found your article. Maybe those shocks hit my head….

]]> By: Margaret http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-13993 Margaret Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:26:35 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-13993 I have experienced something similar in SW Chicago suburbs, when I ride on a paved bike trail through Cook County Forest Preserves. About a mile of the trail goes under and along high voltage lines that constantly hum and crackle. I usually keep my fingers hovering over brake handles, and if I touch the handles when crossing under the lines, I get shocks in my fingers. Otherwise, it is a beautiful ride! (Just did a Google search to see for the phenomenon and found your article.) I have experienced something similar in SW Chicago suburbs, when I ride on a paved bike trail through Cook County Forest Preserves. About a mile of the trail goes under and along high voltage lines that constantly hum and crackle. I usually keep my fingers hovering over brake handles, and if I touch the handles when crossing under the lines, I get shocks in my fingers. Otherwise, it is a beautiful ride! (Just did a Google search to see for the phenomenon and found your article.)

]]> By: Jot http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-12041 Jot Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:41:07 +0000 http://www.bikecommuters.com/2008/04/09/guest-article-an-electrifying-commute-by-jim-tolar/#comment-12041 The solution to this is obvious. You have a metal bike, and you need something that can connect you to that. Cut a hole in the front of your bike shorts, and voila, you're set! Probably solves the problem of the extra charge you generate between you and your chamois. I'm just saying... :) -Jot The solution to this is obvious. You have a metal bike, and you need something that can connect you to that. Cut a hole in the front of your bike shorts, and voila, you’re set!

Probably solves the problem of the extra charge you generate between you and your chamois.

I’m just saying… :)

-Jot

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