Visitors in Midtown New York take a minute to help the environment and be
part of the biggest New Year's party on the planet by cycling to generate
power for the 2-0-0-9 Times Square ball drop.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE-2008) TIMES SQUARE -
With millions of revellers crowding Times Square, the countdown to
2008 was yet another spectacular, electric-powered extravaganza welcoming the
new year into New York.

This year's celebration promises to be just as spectacular although the
2009 ball drop, viewed by millions around the world, will be a bit greener
than in the year's past.

The iconic 2-0-0-9 sign that lights when the New Years ball finishes its
decent will be powered by batteries, and the power in those batteries will be
generated by humans, on bicycles.

"This is our way of involving consumers in the whole process of
powering the 2009 lighting when the ball drops on New Years Eve," said
Kurt Iverson, spokesman for the Duracell battery company.

Duracell has set up a 'power lodge' in Times Square. Upon arrival to the
lodge, visitors are ushered towards a row of bicycles that are connected to a
set of massive batteries. The power is generated from old fashioned rotary
technology - pedal power and spinning wheels.

"We estimate our goal is to get 230 hours of people doing the
cycle over the course of December and then we will have enough charge in the
batteries for at least 10-15 minutes during the live telecast," said
Iverson.

Apart from being able to say that you were 'physically' part the the
lead up to the New Years celebrations in Times Square, guests who jumped on
the bikes said the experience was educational.

"It's pretty awesome," said a female participant from Queens, in
between breaths as she pedaled away.

"I never really thought about what a battery does or the importance
of a battery other than to power my flashlight or MP3 player, but this is
really a great opportunity, and I am sure that generating this kind of power
for the 2009 ball will translate into generating power for other things as
well."

A male participant on the next bike over from Freehold, New Jersey said
he intends to come back with younger sources of energy, namely his children.

"I think people have to be aware of how they use energy and be more
efficient and try to use less and be better to the environment," he
added.

So far the project has collected 95 hours of pedal power, or
approximately 35 percent of the total needed.