Image: Intelligent Energy
Ride it, fold it, store it
Today's e-bikes offer a sophisticated technology called "pedelec" where the speed of the motor matches the speed of the pedaling, making them a terrific option for getting to school. For those who have spent too much time on the couch, an e-bike with "power on demand" is just the ticket. The Ezee Quando Foldable electric bike is small enough to tuck away in a corner but unfolds to give you a 32 km (20 mile) ride with top assisted speed of 24 km/h (15 mph). Probably the hippest e-bike around comes from the L.A. manufactured IZIP™ Street Elightened with its sleek design and battery. And of course, let’s not forget the old-fashioned variety that just uses good old-fashioned leg power. There new urban bikes out there are designed to handle any concrete landscape.
Scoot through that gap
Pedal assisted scooters are also gaining in popularity thanks to a loophole in the transportation and National Highway Safety Act that makes these vehicles legal on the road. So long as your pedals are attached and can still be used, you are good to go. The market is being folded with these scooters so there are plenty of options. A popular brand is the alluring eGo cycles. With their spoked wheels and mirrors they look like some kind of futuristic bicycle but they certainly don’t perform like your average two-wheeler. You’ll get up to 35 km/h in a 35 km range (21 mph in a 21 mile range) and recharging in just under three hours.
Licence to ride
Higher up the food chain are the EVT 168 and EVT 4000 from Electric Vehicle Systems. These bikes won’t get through any loopholes so you’ll need a motorcycle license to ride. But their acid or lithium ion batteries will get you traveling at 65 Km/h for a 50Km range (40 mph for a 31 mile range). Even better the more affordable EVT 168 is a dead ringer for a Vespa and will definitely get you a few extra points when you show up for class on this baby.
Trust-fund students may want to consider the Vectrix scooter, which can go 104 km/h (65 miles per hour) and has been designed for city driving. It’s fast and light due to lightweight aluminium frame that provide structural integrity while maintaining the weight at 200 kilograms (400 pounds). The compact battery charges in just over two hours and retails at $9,000.
The budget version
For those on an extreme budget (or still in high school) there are always the kick scooters. Certainly not as high on the cool scale, these urban scooters, powered by electricity or gas are perfect for short distances. The company Urban Scooters can get you sorted out.
Green Living Network
