This could be just the ticket for me, a bicycle assisting motor that runs on regular gasoline and gets a whopping 200 miles per gallon:
http://www.bikeengines.com/robin35info.htm
These engines got rave reviews on Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools site.
By my calculations, this would save me roughly $1200 per year, assuming I used it exclusively for my commuting. And I could get in shape at the same time.
3 comments :
I have often thought that was a good idea.
What about an electric assist bike?
It wouldn't be subject to the whims of gas prices and fill ups, and I think electricity is cheaper and more efficient.
I think some of them even use regenerative forces (braking) to charge the batteries.
Then you could charge it simply by plugging it in. I think you can get longer ranges as well.
Something to think about anyway.
http://www.electric-bikes.com/bikes/index.html
Hey! That would be the real ticket: an electric-assist motor for a bicycle. Have either of you seen any literature on such a device? I think I have, but I can't remember where -- common problem lately! (ha! ha!)
These are great ideas, but there are some legal/practical limitations. The motor-assist can only provide a maximum of 20 mph or the vehicle is considered motorized and subject to licensing and other motor vehicle requirements. Since I find myself cruising frequently at 20-22 mph lately, it seems counter-productive to slow me down, or make me drag all that extra weight on my own power if I feel like going faster than 20 mph.
If power assist is still desirable, I think the electric one, with regenerative braking is the best idea. It's the same technology Toyota uses in their hybrid cars.
Following Lief's link, I found two options starting in the $1500 range: eGo Cycle 2 and Prima Power Bikes.
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