Hello everybody, I'm excited, psyched, happy and optimstic about the future of the country. Why? Because I have discovered the $7,000 hybrid that gets the cost equivalent of 1,000 miles per gallon that's currently available that can eliminate our foriegn oil dependance very quickly, and make us healthier, happier and sexier all at the same time. That's right, you'll get laid more. Read below to find out how we can save the world, make America a more livable country, and be sexier all at the same time.
Aerorider
Go-One
What the $%!# is that?
What is this miracle machine? It's called the velomobile, and there are several models to choose from. It's not a car, it's a LEV, a lightweight electric vehicle that uses no gasoline. It's a human-electric hybrid, a pedal-powered trike with electric assist, fully enclosed for all weather use. It is capable of high speeds, eventually they will go 60 mph but right now 30 mph (federal guidelines say 20mph to be considered a bike, but it is an artificial ceiling. as a moped regulations allow 30 mph, but it may have to be registered in some states) with moderate peddling is realistic. It can have heat, and a stereo system. It takes up 1/5 the space of a small car, and can eliminate traffic congestion, pollution and sprawl. It currently costs about $7,000 and costs about 6-10 cents to charge, there are different versions made, all mostly in Europe, but it can be shipped here.
The primary advantage over a regular bike with electric assist is being fully enclosed, which offers weather protection, wind protection and some crash protection. However for many people a regular bike will do the trick just fine, and they are available for $700-$2,000 today.
The electric assist is key to the dream of replacing the automobile. Adding electric assist to a bicycle or a trike like this changes the whole dynamics of bicyling for transportation. The non-disabled will be able to make comfortable commutes as far as 30 miles without sweating like a hog by the end of it. You only need to peddle gently and the electric will make sure you speed along at top speed all the time, uphills and into the wind. As battery technology advances speed and range will be able to be increased, but the important thing is that it works today, and it works well.
We just won't have enough energy for cars-for-everyone-for-every-trip
As I learned from watching movies like the End of Suburbia, reading DarkSydes diaries and researching the peak oil problem, there will be no drop in replacement for oil. There will no magic bullet that will give us as much energy as we consume today. We will not be able to keep driving 2 ton behemoths, or even 1 ton behemoths. The answer is light wieght electric vehicles. The power needed to move one person plus a 60 pound machine is so much less than to move a 3,000 pound machine. It's that simple. Cars are not the answer for the average vehicle trip, not electric cars, not "flex fuel" ethanol cars, not biodiesel cars. Repeat the mantra, cars are not the answer, cars suck, cars kill. I get upset that all our proposed solutions to the energy crisis/global warming rely so heavily on cars. Let's change the fuel they use, lets make them more efficient (hybrids), let's put bumper stickers on the back showing how eco-conscious we are. Cars are too big for the job, they take up too much road space, parking space, and too much energy, no matter what fuel they use, to be used by 1 billion modern people to get to work, the movies, or buy a gallon of milk.
Suburbia exists, it can work
And in America we just can't have everyone move to the heart of the city tomorrow, there just aren't enough cities, though of course smarter more dense planning is definitely needed in the future. In the mean time we have half or more of our people living in the suburbs, in moderately dense areas. And I am here to tell you that it's ok, not good but ok. We can do the suburb thing without the car thing. I do it everday, I am here to tell you that it works and it can be done. Electric assist bikes, trikes, the LEV can cover large distances. Trips you used to think were crazy and out of the question for a bike become easy and fun once you add some electricity to it, cover it for rain protection, add lights for night time and maybe a cargo trailer to haul stuff around (more on that later). Light rail will handle regional trips, LEV's can do local trips, 30 mile range (1 hour) is doable.
We have to save the oil/ethanol/biodiesel for critical large vehicles
We have to save the big vehicles and there big energy requirements for jobs that truly require them. Things like machines to pave the roads (which will not need to be done as much because of the lighter wear and tear from the new vehicles) ambulances for life saving trips, very large cargo trips, and much construction equipment. The average commuter only needs some type of lightweight electric vehicle.
One problem with immediate widespread adoption
The biggest obstacle towards widespread adoption of this mode of transportation is road safety. Cars kill. It's that simple. They are very dangerous to lighter weight vehicles. We need to work on that. Often times trips that distance wise are doable by bike are impossible because one has to go 5 miles on I-95 to get there, which is out of the question. Of course this could be easily fixed, existing infrastructure only needs slight modifications.
The simple act of switching to new vehicles like trikes and bikes will make our existing roads safe. But in the meantime we can do things like designate seperate lanes, build seperate paths in some circumstances and teach better safety to drivers.
But what about cargo? Where can I fit my stuff? I use my car/truck/van for work and I need my tools on the job? Surely this wont work for me. Meet the trailer
Take a look at these guys http://bikesatwork.com . By adding a trailer to a bike it is amazing how much you can haul. These guys pull couches and even refrigerators by bike, without electric assist motors! They make deliveries for businesses, and even used to pick up garbage for the town and for the university of Iowa. An average person can pull 300 pounds without hardly noticing it at all, again without electric assist.
Links:
http://aerorider.com
http://go-one.de
http://abc.eznettools.net/... charger bike $700 - tell them you heard about it on daily kos
Great LEV web site http://electric-bikes.com
Aerorider Specifications:
Measures
Length x width x height: 2780 x 850 x 1200 mm
Wheelbase: 1270 mm
Construction
Glass fiber reinforced vinylester
Foam core
Aluminum inserts
Motor
Type: Asynchronous
Continuous power: 600W
Max. torque: 4,5 Nm
Voltage: 36 Volt
Efficiency: 78 - 82 %
Reverse gear: yes
Belt: HTD 5M 9mm
Performance
Aerodynamic drag (CwA): 0.13 m�
Maximum speed*: 45 km/h
Range: 25 - 50 km*
* Depends on national legislation
* Depends on local circumstances
Battery SLA
Type: Sealed Lead Acid
Voltage: 36 Volt DC
Capacity (net): 11 Ah at 1C
Energy: 396 Wh
Specific energy: 22 Wh/kg
3 Step charger: 2,5A
Charge time: 7h
Battery NiMH
Type: NiMH 30 Cells
Voltage: 36Volt DC
Capacity (net): 12 Ah at 1C
Energy: 432 Wh
Specific energy: 53 Wh/kg
3 Step charger: 3A
Charge time: 95% in 5h - 100%(balanced) in 10h
Bicycle
Internal gear hub: 7 speed
Steering
System: dual joystick
Radius: 7m
Wheels
Tires: 2,00 - 16
Brakes
Front: hydraulic, discs
Rear (Parking brake): mechanical, drum
Luggage compartment
Volume: 120 Liter*
* single battery pack
Weight
Weight without batteries: 55kg
Battery SLA: 18 - 36kg
Battery NiMH: 8,1 - 16,2kg
Laden weight: 190kg
Ventilation
2 Electric ventilators
2 Naca air inlets
2 Removable windows
1 Removable roof panel
Configuration
Lights front and rear
Indicators front and rear
Anti fog coating
Tachometer, Speedometer
Battery discharge indicator, reverse gear indicator
2 Rear view mirrors
Wiper
Horn
Adjustable bucket seat
Headrest