Bikes & Cars...

Do you really need a car for every trip you take? What about that quick drive to the Post Office, or to visit your neighbor a few streets over? Do you have to burn fossil fuels to get there by car?

No, you don't. You could walk, you could ride a bike, or you could turn heads by trying an electric bicycle.

E-bikes (as they are often called) are just like normal bicycles, but they come equipped with rechargable batteries that can keep them going on their own power for around 10-20 miles, depending on the model you're riding. You can switch at any time between battery power and good old-fashioned pedal power, so you can also get your exercise while you're zipping around town.

E-bikes are growing in popularity around the world as more and more people try free themselves from high oil prices. It's been said that there are more than 10 million e-bikes on the road, and some say sales are expected to double this year.

The bikes come in all shapes and sizes, and with a wide variety of features. Depending on what you want out of an e-bike, you can pay as little as $300 and all the way up to $2,000 or more. If you already have a bike, you can even purchase a conversion kit to electrify it.

A few tips: First, look for a bike using NiMh or Lithium Ion batteries. They cost more, but they weigh less, last longer, and can be recharged many more times. Second, try to keep the total weight of your bike under 50 pounds, so you get the most out of your battery. Third, check the laws in your local community. Most states treat e-bikes the same as bicycles, but California has its own rules (doesn't it always), and you don't want to get in trouble when you're trying to do the right thing for the environment.