# Pedal-Powered Blimps Eco English Channel Crossing By Bianca | Published 2008-06-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pedal-powered-blimp-english-channel References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/pedal-powered-blimp-attempts-english-channel.php#ch04) & [rousson.org](http://www.rousson.org/) A dedicated French environmentalist and thrill seeker is attempting to cross the English Channel on a [pedal-powered blimp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-goodyear-blimp). Stephane Rousson, a pilot and extreme sports fanatic, will try to make the journey on a [16-metre long airship](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sceye-haps) with a five hour time goal. "He'll be slung under the blimp in a [semi-recumbent style bicycle frame](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vemoo-recumbent-tricycle), 30 metres above the water, and navigate by adjusting two large propellers on each side of his rather airy 'cockpit,'" TreeHugger explains. The 39 year old hopes to travel a total of 55 kilometres, from Dungeness Beach in south-east England back to northern France. He's been preparing for this day for four years; the above video shows him training last summer. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pedal-powered Blimps:** Opportunity to innovate sustainable transportation with pedal-powered airships. - **English Channel Crossing:** Opportunity to develop innovative methods for crossing bodies of water. - **Extreme Sports and Environmentalism:** Opportunity to combine extreme sports and environmental conservation efforts in unique ways. ### Where This Applies - **Transportation:** Opportunity to revolutionize the transportation industry with eco-friendly alternatives. - **Tourism:** Opportunity to attract tourists with unique and daring experiences like pedal-powered blimp rides. - **Sports and Recreation:** Opportunity to create new extreme sports that merge adventure with environmental awareness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Helium-Filled Airship Yachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-yacht.md) - [Ultrasonic Balloon-Borne Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blimp-drone.md) - [Electric Bike-Like Watercraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/envo-hydra-waterbike.md) - [Sleek Electricity-Storing Velomobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electricity-storing-velomobile.md) - [Seafaring Sky Yachts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airyacht.md) - [Pedal-Powered Fishing Kayaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-town-sportsman-bigwater-epdl-132.md) - [Range-Roving Electric Hydrofoils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-hydrofoil.md) - [Rowing-Style Recumbent Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/varibike-extreme.md) - [Oddball Penny-Farthing Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pennyfarthing-bike.md)