pédale

Pédale is a lever that is actuated by the foot to transmit force or control a mechanism. It is a common means of input across many devices, from bicycles and motors to musical instruments and industrial machinery, allowing hands-free or foot-controlled operation.

The term comes from French pédale, itself from Latin pes, ped- meaning foot. In technical usage, a pedal is a movable lever attached to a rotating or sliding component via a pivot.

In bicycles, pedals are attached to crank arms and serve as the interface between the rider's legs and the drivetrain. Pushing with the foot drives the crank and rotates the chainring, propelling the bicycle. Pedals can be flat or fitted with toe clips or clip-in systems; materials range from plastic to metal, affecting grip and durability.

In motor vehicles, pedals serve essential controlling roles: the brake pedal slows or stops the vehicle; the accelerator pedal increases engine power; the clutch pedal (in manual transmissions) engages or disengages the clutch. Pedals are positioned for ergonomic reach and safety, with anti-skid surfaces and, in modern cars, electronic or drive-by-wire systems.

In musical instruments, pedals modify sound rather than mechanical motion. On a piano, pedals affect sustain, softening, or selective sustaining of notes; on an organ, pedal boards extend the keyboard to the lower register and enable foot-control of stops.