Moving Planet Day - A global non-fossil-fueled transportation event set for Saturday, Sept. 24

MOVING PLANET DAY

A global non-fossil-fueled transportation event set for Saturday, Sept. 24

Today is Moving Planet Day, so why not step away from fossil fuels & pump pedals instead? Check out these 7 simple and affordable options for urban bicycling.

Is it possible to ride a bike in the city without upgrading every part, stripping it to nearly nothing, spending $4,000, throwing a courier bag over your shoulder, or sporting a body mass index of 17 or less? Yes, even in this age of hipster couture, it's possible, and we're going to tell you how to begin choosing a practical city bike.

Daunted by the possibilities, many of us urban riders just want to keep it simple, comfortable, utilitarian, affordable, and at least fashion-neutral (never mind all the ways urban biking dovetails with the activist spirit of Moving Planet Day, a global non-fossil-fueled transportation event set for Saturday, Sept. 24). "I wanted one bike, not two, something versatile enough for both road and hike and bike trails," said David Murphy, who rides in Austin, Texas, for fun.

Some of us would prefer to start the search for an urban cycle with basic information, rather than mounting a full-scale research effort. "I spent a lot of time on forums and the Internet," says Anthony LaFauce, who rides from his home in the Van Ness section of Washington, D.C. about four miles to his public-relations job on K Street. "I also talked to bike mechanics, which is not a pleasant experience, because they don't like newbies."

To get started, here are briefs on seven biking options that are well-suited to riding in the city. Shift into first gear and come along for a quick spin (sorry, no fixies here, they're too cool and impractical).



Read more (in new window) at: local.msn.com/bikes-and-the-city?gt1=24000


Read more (in new window) at: www.moving-planet.org/


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Pedal for Food Voucher at Hotel in Copenhagen

Pedal for Food Voucher at Hotel in Copenhagen
Video:

Link to video of a hotel in Copenhagen lets you exercise and generate electric
http://news.yahoo.com/video/environment-15749659/21839298#video=22131560

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Yike Bike _Smallest Electric Bike

How one entrepreneur wants to electrify your urban commute.As urban bike ridership continues to grow all over the world, cyclers are being inundated with two-wheeled options. Now, thanks to New Zealand entrepreneur Grant Ryan, urbanites have another rather different way of achieving efficient mobility: the YikeBike.In addition to its slick aesthetic, the YikeBike is the smallest electric bike in the world, weighing half of what any other folding electric bike on the market does. Grant notes the bike’s foldable design as a key to its utility, giving city dwellers the ability to cruise quickly between home and public transport, seamlessly switching from walking to biking to riding. The bike was built to be quickly shouldered and carried in a bag, a design feature that makes it an ideal travel companion “anywhere in a city, train, bus, car, or elevator.”At $4,800, the bike isn’t cheap, but Ryan explains that the “total cost of a YikeBike is about the same as the cost of running a car for a year. The average cost of running your YikeBike on electricity for a month is less than a Big Mac meal.” He also points out how you’ll save the time and money you spend on parking if you ditch your car. Plus, you won’t have to worry about theft because the YikeBike’s compact frame lets you take your wheels with you wherever you go.The bike has a top-speed of 15 mph, a weight of around 20 pounds, and its fast-charging lithium phosphate battery promises a fluid commute. The bike is currently launching in Europe and New Zealand but Ryan says the bike would work well in dense cities like New York and San Francisco.As a personal transportation device, the bike is a tool that complements and increases the velocity and range of your daily commute. For the millions of people who live in crowded urban areas and ride public transit to and from work, their ticket to “urban freedom” can now come with a sleek set of electric wheels.Image courtesy of YikeBike.

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