Pedal-power helps amp up beer festival

Members of La Vida String Quartet did their bit. Photo / Tim Cuff

Forget relaxing with a beer, visitors to Nelson's Marchfest beer festival yesterday were busy generating electricity for the music stage.

Stationary bikes were connected to a modified washing machine engine and the energy was pushed into a battery powering up the sound desk.

That allowed acts such as Don McGlashan to be heard in what organisers believe was a New Zealand first.

The designer, Glenn Harvey, says a person pedalling vigourously was producing about 12 amps of power an hour.

It would take more than 20 bikes to power the entire stage, but the four on hand were able to make a small difference to the carbon footprint.

Volunteer Laura Scott lasted about 10 minutes on the bike.

"It was actually harder than I thought, it was like riding up a hill. But I was in my boots and jeans so probably not the best dressed for it."

After doing their dash on the bikes, punters were able to sample local beers especially crafted for the event.