The Low Down On Green Living
January 4th, 2009
Get cycling in 2009: Video reviews of the hottest eco-rides
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Last year, the winner of our Green New Year’s Resolution Contest was Shannon from St. Paul Minnesota, who resolved to bike a 26-mile round trip to and from work every day! Making a similar bike-related resolution this year? Then check out these latest bikes to get you on your eco two-wheeling way!
Of course, the greenest choice is riding the bike you already have or finding a used one through Freecycle or Craigslist. But if you’ve got specific biking needs, read on — and watch the videos — to see if one of these newfangled bikes will help fulfill your 2009 eco-resolution:
To commute in comfort: IZIP EZGO Electric Folding Bike
The IZIP EZGO’s one of the most affordable electric folding bikes on the market. If you need that extra electric push to two-wheel around town, use the electric assist to go up to 15 mph!
According to Mani, who reviewed the bike on YouTube, the 53-lb IZIP EZGO may be too heavy for some who want to carry it around on the bus or subway. Still, “this is a great bike in a city that is bike-friendly, with bike lanes and bike routes,” Mani says, and also recommends the IZIP EZGO “for the park, for camping, for the beach — recreational biking.” Watch him ride the bike below:
Right now, the IZIP EZGO’s yours for around $800 on Amazon. Don’t need to ever fold up your bike? Try the Izip Urban Cruiser Electric Hybrid Bike, a 7-speed electric bike with a commuter feel, yours for $899 on Amazon.
To explore the outdoors: 2007 IZIP Mountain Trailz Enlightened Hybrid Electric Bicycle
Mountain bikers who could use a little electric kick will love the assisted pedaling on this sleek 8-speed IZIP Mountain Trailz Enlightened Hybrid Electric Bicycle. The guys at Get Connected recently featured this bike on their show, pointing out that the bike’s tricked out with Tektro front disc brakes with Rockshox Dart I Suspension. The one downside is that the bike’s pretty heavy, because it’s meant to be used with the electric battery. Watch Get Connected’s full review:
That bike’s yours for $1,499 on Amazon. Or you might go for the similar 2007 15″ S IZIP Trailz Enlightened Hybrid Electric Bicycle instead, which costs $1,299 on Amazon.
To run errands in the ‘hood: Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle
Shop for groceries, pick up dry cleaning, and mail your packages in eco-friendly comfort by making use of the generous folding rear basket on this three-wheeler. Blogger Sevesteen put this Schwinn head to head with a Worksman Trifecta adult tricycle, to conclude that “the Schwinn is superior in every way.”
Among the things Sevesteen liked about the Schwinn: higher quality bearings, both front and rear brakes, and a “parking brake” button that locks the brakes. The one downside of the Schwinn is that it doesn’t fold up for easy transport in a car.
The Schwinn comes in a box and requires some assembly; the YouTube videos by BettysBike show exactly how the bike looks on arrival and what assembling it entails from the viewpoint of an actual customer. Here’s a video of Betty on her bike:
Get your own ride on Amazon for around $250.
Since I live in a very flat beach city called Santa Monica — and work at home — I don’t need an electric or commuter bike. But I’ll keep riding my pink Electra Townie! Happy biking in 2009, everyone!
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Comments
mn lawyer
March 1st, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Those are some cool bikes.
Alexis
May 1st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I test rode the i zip bike shown on this site and several other electric bike brands. The bike that impresses me most was the Vatavio by Ecobike. I purchased the Vatavio about 8 months ago, haven’t had any problems, bike is light weight, it folds up, goes close to 20 miles on a charge. Pretty impressive little bike although it is only offered in 1 color. You should check out this bike at http://www.ecobike-usa.com I highly recommend it!!
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