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Finer Things
Scooters and Bicycles:
Alternative transportation goes back to the future
By The Car Family
In a world of escalating fuel costs and an increased awareness of physical fitness Valley residents are taking a new look at two-wheel transportation.
Bicycles have dramatically changed both in cost and features. 93 percent are made in China so more consumers are turning to custom bike makers. The res-ults are works of art, but prices can rise above $20 ,000. A rule of thumb is that the more you pay the less you get; in weight that is. You can spend a thousand dollars to shave five ounces from a road bike to get to the racing limit of about 15 pounds. Regardless of price bike riders traveling at 10 mph can burn 400 calories an hour.
Manufactures are also producing some unique products such as seats that are hollowed out to store cell phones and iPods, reflective rims, internal generators to power lights, and automatic gear changers. Some models offer foldability that enables a full size bike to fit in a 26-inch case for airline travel.
For those who don't have the stamina for bicycling the new electric assist bikes are an absolute must. You pedal as much as you can with the motor ready to help by just twisting the handle throttle. It enables you to build up your muscles slowly and makes shopping or cruising simpler without any gas or parking concerns. Very cool and no license is required. These bikes use a rechargeable battery and an electric motor to provide the rider with a boast when it is needed such as going against a strong wind or up a hill. Besides the fitness benefits, it costs about ten cents to recharge the batteries after going about 20 miles.
You can order these assist bicycles as complete units or buy a kit that can modernize your old bike. But be warned, these bicycles can go 20 mph so good brakes are vital and the type of battery makes a huge difference. Check battery replacement costs first. If you want the very best assist bike try the Optibike which starts around $6000 and goes to $13,000 for the OB1 with a three year warranty on the battery pack. The bicycles can be insured on your homeowner's policy which is especially important since the FBI reported one million cycles were stolen in 2006.
Electric assist bikes are ideal for those who commute about 10 miles a day and can take surface streets. They come in all styles with from eight to 21 speeds available and you can order wom-en's and men's versions. If you can find a used Tidal Force bike buy it. They are the most advan-ced assist bike made with cruise control and turbo for faster acceleration and are totally silent with a 20-mile range.
If you want to avail yourself of the most exciting in motorized transportation in years try the MP3 from Piaggio, makers of the venerable Vespa as well. The MP3 is an absolute delight, although it requires a license. What makes this perfect for Valley riding is the fact that the two small front wheels help it balance and provide better braking and traction. But the MP3 can balance itself at intersections and when parked. You don't have to use a kickstand. Just press a button, pull the emergency brake and you’re made. They come in several forms with the 500 cc model costing nearly $9000. There is a waiting list for these thanks to their freeway legal capabilities and 60 plus mpg attributes. For a little less money the 400 cc is available with a cargo bay beneath the seat. These scooters can easily carry two riders and are very maneuverable. The ignition key also has a button that pops open the storage trunk. The MP3 has a range of about 180 miles before you fill the three-gallon tank.
Optibike
www.optibike.com/Frontpage
Find the perfect bike trip.
Type in the area and this Google
Earth assisted site shows you a
great bike journey.
www.bikely.com/listpaths/coun
try/254
League of American Bicyclists
www.bikeleague.org
California bicycle coalition
www.calbike.org
How Much Do Bicycles Pollute
www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/ad
vocacy/bike_co2.htm