Is it feasible to generate useful amounts of electricity by having people manually generate it, e.g. by riding an exercise bike?

Question

I’m not familiar with the mechanics of electricity generation and such, so I’m curious if there are good reasons why this isn’t possible or useful.

Edit: thanks for the great responses! I gather that the main problems revolve around the fact that it will take more energy to outfit the machinery and feed the people than you’ll get in return.

In: 5

Answer 1

It can be done.

The problem is that the value of the power made is less than the value of food you need to make it.

In the case you need to pedal aniway, why not? There are gyms that make electricity from the people pedaling in it. Still that’s 1-4 hundred watts per person.