Working prototype linear drive bicycle.wmv 

This is spot on mathematically. For youtube you need to make a simple model showing how a metal weight will rotate a wheel using your layout contrasting with the conventional pedal layout. The sliders look a bit heavy. I drew a similar outline and came to the same conclusions about 2 feet together or alternating. I thought a cable/thin chain between feet and over the frame would feel more natural.Emphasise easier rides up hills , it would appeal to more people. Nice work.

Mine has been around since the mid 70's... I don't drag around as much hardware on the bike. Mine was the one the original patent was based on.

Did you ever get on the road with this? It's really interesting

Some prior arts related to @whpthomas 's mention - 1890s Pony Star Bicycle - 2000s StringBike I think your solution is positioned between Pony Star and StringBike ;-)

I am interested in your bike and believe that linear drives are better than circular. Could you make a video of it on the road?

Hi James, I am designing a recumbent bike with both hand and foot power. I might use a tandem bottom bracket to combine the two but am having a hard time simplifying the hand power. It would be easy to use a circular crank but I am leaning towards a push/pull setup- linear motion. Can you tell me what parts you use to convert the dual direction linear motion to a single?

Needs a chain, a chainwheel leading to a 1-speed retrodirect, and all will be simple.

Post the video of you riding it. I gotta see it.

@James12345cb Yes, there is always a room for creating better different ones in every product category. I just hoped to suggest "Less but Better - Dieter Rams" :-)

wow. how did you do that? Is there a free blueprint or design we can follow? Is this really efficient than traditional pedal?

This is similar with maynooth linear pedal bike. When a chaineless version would appear?

Do you still have this bike? I would like to buy it.

What happened? Did you ever get this on the road?

How to make ti sir.

Shannon Point

You should have read the book Bicycle Science first, before making claims like 50% energy wasted... Linear drives have been studied extensively. It turns out that the way out muscles work, they are more efficient when we recruit leg muscles in an elliptical motion, rather than a linear motion which recruits only a limited muscle group - which becomes fatigued quicker. Good effort, thought and a nice approach, but you should do a bit more research of the prior art in the field.

So now you're only wasting 60% of the energy...