Aug 25, 2008

Plug in That New Bike

As anyone who lives in a city knows, urban transportation is more costly and time-consuming than ever. In fact, the Texas Transportation Institute reports that gridlock costs the average peak-period traveler almost 40 hours a year in travel delays, and wastes an annual 2.9 billion gallons of gasoline. And this occurs despite the fact that, as the U.S. Department of Transportation reported, nearly half of all trips are less than three miles. If you’re sick of high gasoline prices, perhaps you’re ready to take to the road on a new electric bicycle that has just hit the market. Strange as it seems, the time might be right for an electric bicycle like the A2B from Ultra Motor.

The A2B is built from the tires up for superior performance, at least in comparison to walking or pogo-sticking. It is powered by a proprietary motor that is highly efficient, producing significant amounts of torque to enable riders to accelerate faster and climb hills more easily than they would with other electric bikes. The lithium-ion batteries stored inside the frame provide 20 miles of range (40 miles with a second optional battery pack), and they recharge just like a laptop computer. Ideal for city streets, the A2B has an upright, relaxed sitting position, full suspension and an oversized seat for extra comfort. The bike has a stylish “industrial” appearance, while the brown leather seat and grips provide a touch of classical bike design. The A2B can travel at speeds up to 20 mph without pedaling, and riders can pedal along to increase their speed and range -- not to mention, get some exercise.