Who Needs Gas When You Can Ride a Cool Electric Motorcycle or Bike?

Gas has reached over $4.50 a gallon here in Northern California, and there is no relief in site. Many people are turning to motorcycles as a more efficient way to travel, and now, electric bikes and motorcycles are leading the trend.

• Brammo Enertia Electric Motorcycle: This bike runs on six Lithium Phosphate battery modules, has a top speed of 50mph, and travels about 45 miles between three hour charges. It costs about $12,000.
  
• Electrobike Model Pi: This human-electric hybrid bike has a cool ergonomic shape, and it switches from pedal power to electric power with a switch on the handlebars. This bike will travel about 30 miles per three hour charge.
  
• Matra MS1 Electric Bike: This French bike will travel 62 miles per charge. When you apply the brakes, the bike captures usable energy. An LCD on the handlebars displays your speed and remaining battery power.
  
• Schwinn Bikes World GSE: This is a great commuter bike travels 60 miles on a single charge. The battery pack is removable, so you can charge it easily at work.
  
• Optibike: This bike will will run at 20 mph on the battery alone, with light pedaling go 25 mph, and with some serious pedal action reach 35+ mph. At top speeds, the battery will only last for 30 minutes.
  

None of these bikes are cheap, but neither is a really good mountain bike (or gasoline). Hybrid pedal power just may be the solution for many city commuters.

Read More in: technology | transportation

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Posted by Jennifer Lance at June 12, 2008 5:47 AM