| Because of the energy crisis, hybrid is the buzzword | | | | $500 to $1000 USD. But that should pay for itself |
| of the day. With respect to cars, hybrid usually | | | | within a year if you can save on $50-$70 a month on |
| refers to engines that uses electricity and gasoline. | | | | gas and/or $20-$30 on gym membership. |
| The combination of both gets you more gas mileage. | | | | THE ECO-FRIENDLY CONSUMER |
| For example the 2008 Toyota Prius, a well-known | | | | Just as important as saving money, there is a global |
| hybrid car, gets 48 miles per gallon as oppose to a | | | | trend, or at least in the US, to be more eco-friendly. |
| comparable 4-cylinder non-hybrid car, say a Honda | | | | Among others, gasoline is a concern. As you know, |
| Civic, that gets 36 miles per gallon. By the way, | | | | burning gasoline emits pollutants that are harmful to |
| Honda also has a hybrid version of the Civic and it | | | | both the environment and our health. Transportation |
| gets 45 miles per gallon. The point is hybrid | | | | that uses less gas (hybrid cars) and no gas (electric |
| technology allows you to cover more grounds for a | | | | car, hybrid bikes, electric scooters) are getting a lot |
| given set of resources, gasoline in this case. | | | | of attention among consumers. |
| In the cycling world, the term hybrid refers to | | | | THE CHOICES OF HYBRID ELECTRIC BICYCLES |
| bicycles with electric motors . Yep, that's traditional | | | | Though there are quite a few manufacturers of |
| push pedaling made easy with electricity . Instead of | | | | electric bicycles in existence, none of them are quite |
| more gas mileage, you get more miles pedaling and | | | | household names yet. But below are just a handful |
| best yet, you don't have to buy gas (because it's a | | | | electric bikes readily found from Amazon, eBay, and |
| bicycle). | | | | other online retailers:iZIP Enlightened Hybrid Electric |
| THE FRUGAL AND HEALTHY CONSUMER | | | | Street Bicycles |
| But you're asking why mention gas with bicycles? In | | | | From Currie Technologies, the iZIP is one of the |
| the past, at least in the United States, gas prices | | | | more popular electric hybrid bikes. In one battery |
| were never a concern. Up until 2006 or so, Americans | | | | charge, it can travel up to 23-30 miles depending on |
| were able to buy gas for under $2.00 per gallon. | | | | the cycler's weight. Top speed on this 8-gear street |
| That's practically nothing! Two years later, it's a | | | | bike can be up to 18 mph. As you can see from the |
| different story. | | | | pictures, the motor and battery pack are cleverly |
| In other parts of the world, however, they haven't | | | | integrated within the bike's frame. So unlike most |
| been so lucky. Europeans have been experiencing gas | | | | electric bicycles, these components are not visually |
| prices between $5-$8 per gallon for years. But they | | | | obtusive. The geared hub motor is a brushless DC |
| still get around. Common among their usual transport | | | | type encased in an alloy shell. The battery pack is |
| is a bicycle. You've seen many pictures of common | | | | made of NiMH EV Rated Batteries Down Tube |
| folks getting around town bicycling. Kinda like what | | | | Concealed 24V / 9AH Pack (20) 1.2V Rechargeable |
| we did when we were kids. To get more "mileage", a | | | | Cells. There are men's and women's versions of the |
| lot of Asians and Europeans use hybrid electric motor | | | | iZIP bike. |
| bikes. | | | | The Euro Electric Bicycle |
| Many smart and frugal folks are discovering electric | | | | Designed for urban commuting, the Euro gives you |
| bicycles for short distance commuting to save | | | | the impression you're gliding to your destination. The |
| money. You don't have to pay for gas! | | | | rear storage rack makes it easy to run errands such |
| There is another advantage. Since you're pedaling, | | | | as groceries. The Euro is powered by a 24V 10Ah |
| you're exercising. Makes you healthy. Of course, not | | | | Li-ion battery with 6 speed Shimano derailleur and a |
| everyone is in superb physical shape to be pedaling | | | | high speed 350W motor. Since the battery is |
| from one side of the city to the other. But | | | | Lithium-ion, it can be recharged over 1,000 times, |
| remember, it's a hybrid bike. The electric motor helps | | | | making it more durable than a typical NiMH battery |
| you pedal . Therefore you can get in shape slowly, | | | | and SLA (sealed lead acid) battery. Another plus is |
| but at the same time do so enjoying the outside. | | | | that Li-ion batteries are recyclable making this electric |
| The price of a hybrid bike may set you back from | | | | bike a truly eco-friendly. |