137,228.

That’s how many people it took to generate enough electricity to light up the numerical display that will blaze after the clock strikes midnight and the ball drops over Times Square in Manhattan on Wednesday night.

Beginning Dec. 2, holiday visitors stopping by the Charmin public restrooms on Broadway and 45th Street could ride the escalator two flights up and hop on one of six stationary bicycles that looked like snowmobiles and were rigged to electric generators. The generators charged a set of four large batteries that will light the sign and help green the annual event.

Duracell, the battery manufacturing company that set up the “power lodge,” said the electricity was generated using rotary technology — pedal power and spinning wheels, similar to systems used on wind farms.

By Dec. 27, the original goal of 230 pedaled hours had been surpassed by more than 20 percent. On Sunday, the batteries were transported to a new location for safekeeping until Wednesday night.

Some visitors to the power lodge Monday, like Megan Coakley, 13, were disappointed they were too late to help fuel Wednesday’s festivities. “It would’ve been awesome to try the bikes,” said Miss Coakley, who traveled from Tinton Falls, N.J., with her twin sister and parents, Beth and John, to visit New York for the day.

Although the bikes are no longer in use and now available for viewing only, visitors to Duracell’s hub can still recharge gadgets at power terminals, hang out in front of an artificial fireplace or play one of several Nintendo Wiis stationed in the lodge. Ms. Coakley and her family declined to linger, saying they had game consoles at home.

Jeremy French, 21, a field manager for Gigunda, the marketing team staffing Duracell’s lodge, said that the facilities were even popular with local Manhattanites. “A group of elderly women came in several times to ride the bike,” said Mr. French. “They brought water bottles and would go at it for 20 minutes or so a day.”

The “2009” sign is made up of 608 halogen bulbs that will require 7.25 kilowatt-hours of electricity to light up after the famous ball drop. By comparison, in 2006, the average residence in the United States consumed 920 kilowatt-hours per month.. [ More ]

[ Via The New York Times ]

Encinitas, CA (PRWEB) December 19, 2008 — The concept of “going green” is something that’s been highly touted in recent years, yet the idea of the electric bike (or e-bike) has been around since the late 1800s, but has seen its popularity grow in highly populated areas like Japan and Europe. Now as bicycles are becoming more prevalent in American cities, the e-bike is also hitting big stateside.

Enter Paul Rosenbaum and his website www.ElectricBikesScooters.com.
Rosenbaum purchased an electric bike seven years ago and has often fielded questions about what he was riding and where one could be found. Finally, he decided to build his business around it.

“These bikes are great for exercise and they’re easier to ride,” said Rosenbaum. “Why get in an SUV to drive to the grocery store that could be five blocks away? Just ride a bike.”

Rosenbaum launched his site in March 2008 and it has since become one of the most popular online destinations for people who are seeking their own electric bikes and scooters. For people who are in the San Diego-area, Rosenbaum also goes the extra mile, or at least he lets them go the extra mile by his “Test Ride” program.

“I set up testing on a local level,” he explained. “I also ship around the United States and Canada, so someone in Burlington, Ontario can order a bike from me and receive it in a timely fashion.”

As the end of the calendar year looms, Rosenbaum is looking forward to the new line of 2009 bikes and scooters he will be carrying. “There are quite a few improvements on some of the bike which includes a lithium battery and an increased speed,” Rosenbaum said.

Having just added the 2009 line, Rosenbaum also looks to the new informational blog he’s set up with www.ElectricBicycleBlog.com.

The blog offers up some of the e-bikes and scooters’ environmentally friendly facts, as well as some other helpful tips about maintenance and general information.

Though e-bikes may not fully replace the automobile (that’s what hybrids are for), they are sound investments for people who want to go on a nice ride without overexerting themselves or to be a little bit nicer to the planet.

About the Company:

ElectricBikesScooters.com is a part of PCR Online Products which is owned and operated by Paul Rosenbaum. The website specializes in Currie brand IZIP and EZIP electric bicycles and scooters…. [ More ]

[ Via Press Release Newswire]

And the fledgling U.S. market for e-bikes is expecting a banner 2009, with sales projections of 170,000 and Wal-Mart as major distributor. (Kind of an irony when you consider how difficult it would be to bike to most Wal-Marts in this country!) Japan (the best e-bike market) added nearly twice that number of new electric bikes last year. China is increasing its export subsidies for the bicycle industry to fuel exports during the recession.

Bicycle technology is also advancing with the advent of the chainless belt-drive bike, new models of folding bikes, and snazzier e-bikes.

To support this positive data, continued improvement to the U.S. bike infrastructure is a necessity.

Seattle, where the City Council is determined to spend $240 million in order to one-up Portland’s fabled reputation as Cycle City, has the right idea.

New York City’s City Council, which is considering putting bike path development on the chopping block as spending projections plummet, does not.

From the looks of it, Obama’s stimulus plan is giving a green light to infrastructure. “Shovel ready” highway and bridge projects total about $18 billion, while bicycle and pedestrian projects are currently a paltry $325 million.

America Bikes and Rails-to-Trails are trying to push a more balanced stimulus package with more emphasis on pedestrian and bike projects. Instead of a lot more eight-lane highways let’s push for things like separated-lane city streets mixing the needs of peds, bikes and other transit, and give U.S. biking its best year ever… [ More ]

[ Via The Huffington Post ]

This new program allows consumers who purchase an IZIP hybrid electric bicycle on Currie’s Web store (www.izipusa.com) to have their bikes shipped directly to a dealer store (without shipping charges) for professional assembly and set-up. In return dealers receive compensation for their assembly and have the opportunity to assist customers with proper set-up.

“It’s also the most ideal time to sell consumers necessary accessories and apparel, not to mention a chance to make them a customer for life,” said Larry Pizzi, Currie’s president.

During the past year as interest from U.S. consumers spiked to an all-time high, demand for IZIP hybrid electric bikes outstripped the companies’ limited dealer distribution.

“Because in many areas, they could not find IZIP bikes in their local bike shops, consumers turned to the Web to search for our products,” Pizzi said.

In response to this record demand Currie Technologies launched izipusa.com, a multi-faceted commerce enabled Web site and built a Web sales department to support the initiative. The Web site is equipped with a dynamic “Dealer Locater” using Google Map-it Technology to help guide customers to the closest stores. Now with this new program the consumer has the option to place their order on-line, choosing from every available model and pick their bike up fully assembled at the nearest dealer location, bridging the gap between Web purchases and dealer sales.

Pizzi expects that the fulfillment program will bring many new customers into dealers’ stores, and ensure that IZIP Hybrid Electric Bicycles are assembled and delivered professionally to the consumer by an authorized Currie Technologies Dealer who understands and believes in the product.

New dealer information is available by contacting Currie’s Dealer Sales Department at 1-800-377-4532 Option 3 or by emailing sales@izipusa.com. [ More ]

[ Via Bicycle Retailer and industry news ]

These stars arrived with breakthrough technology:

Hybrid electric bikes. Hopping on the Giant Twist Freedom DX ($2,000) produces a “wow” moment in technology. An electric motor subtly eases pedaling and automatically disengages when pedaling is stopped. With a range of 70 miles on its rechargeable batteries, the bike can take the sweat out of a two-wheel commute. Less expensive versions are available from Currie Technologies, and a high-style model comes from Pi Mobility.

… [ More ]

[ Via usnews.com]

Unfortunately it are not the IBDs who are giving a push to the market, but large retailers like Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart began selling bicycles from Currie Technologies, the largest maker of e-bikes in the US, in 145 stores. More recently, the world’s largest retailer expanded availability to more than 450 locations.

By next spring, Wal-Mart plans to sell the e-Bikes in more than 850 stores, says Larry Pizzi, president of Currie, based in Chatsworth, Calif. Toys ‘R’ Us plans to expand its distribution of the e-bikes tenfold, to 550 stores. “This has been the most rapid growth year in the company’s 10-year history,” Pizzi says. “We have seen dramatically increased interest of the consumer thanks to financial motivations and environmental concerns.”

How long will the e-Bike boom last? The US have seen dramatic decline in gas prices in recent months. Eric Sundin, president of Electric Bikes Northwest & California, one of the largest distributors of high-end electric bikes like Giant, stated: “I have noticed a slowdown in mid-October, but that is typically the slow season for our industry. If gas prices come down, people will be come less interested. Bicycle purchases are largely correlated to the disposable income.”

Bruno Maier, executive vice-president for marketing at Cannondale Bicycle, the maker of Schwinn-brand bikes, expects his company’s US e-bike sales to jump fivefold between August 2007, when Cannondale introduced its first electric bike, and next year. To meet anticipated demand, the manufacturer plans to double its investment in e-bikes in 2009 and to establish a separate product group focused on the motorized models. [ More ]

[ Via Bike Europe]

Since then folks from Bakersfield all the way down to the San Fernando Valley have stepped up to help replenish those gifts. The McElroy family from Oildale is asking people who watch their nightly light show to donate toys to the Niles New Life Church. “Every year we put up Christmas lights. This year we were watching the news and saw the Niles New Life Church and the Grinch had stolen their Christmas and we decided when people come by to look at the lights anyways they could drop off a toy.” said Heather McElroy.

Three weeks ago thieves broke into the chruch’s (church’s) storage container and stole 60 electric scooters valued at $350 each, along with dozens of toys meant to be given to at least 30 east Bakersfield families in need.

A few nights ago, the McElroys kicked off their toy drive, asking folks to help fill up their sleigh with toys. “Oh people think it ‘ s a great idea and people are very receptive and very willing to give.” said McElroy. The gift of giving has come from as far away as the San Fernando Valley. Currie Technologies who manufactured the original scooters stolen heard of the theft through the Internet and decided to donate 100 scooters, nearly twice the amount stolen. President of Currie Technologies, Larry Pizzi, said “I was really compelled and it seemed like such a tragedy these things were stolen from a church. It was unbelievable to me and I was in a position to help and happy to do so.” The Niles New Life Church says they’re thrilled to now be able to bring Christmas back to families in east Bakersfield. The Rev. Dennie Watson said, “Something bad happened but God turned it for good and the neat thing to see is how many good people there are that care for others and them stepping up and saying ‘What can we do to help’.” Meanwhile, the thieves who stole all the gifts have not been caught… [ More ]

[ News Via KERO 23 ABC News ]

A decade ago, Frank Jamerson helped develop General Motors’ (GM) first electric car, the EV1, only to see interest in the fuel-efficient vehicle fizzle within years. He’s determined to ensure another pet project, the electric bike, doesn’t suffer the same fate.

So far, so good for Jamerson, a retired 81-year-old physicist who can be seen zipping around his hometown of Naples, Fla., on an electric bike.

Amid rising fuel costs in recent years, baby boomers, commuters, and college students have begun biking more often. In the U.S. and Western Europe, the fastest-growing niche of the bicycle market is electric bikes, a category that includes motorized vehicles of various stripes—from bikes to pedicabs to tricycles—that range in price from $350 to $14,000.

Wal-Mart Upping the Ante
The number of e-bikes is likely to rise to a record 170,000 units in the U.S. this year, from 120,000 last year, says Jamerson, who’s long compiled research on the industry. The U.S. market pales in comparison with China, where there are 20 million e-bikes sold annually. But while China, the largest e-biking market, has stagnated, sales are on the upswing in the U.S.

E-biking is getting a jolt as big retailers get in on a market once dominated by specialty bike shops. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart (WMT) began selling bicycles from Currie Technologies, the largest maker of e-bikes in the U.S., in 145 stores. More recently, the world’s largest retailer expanded availability to more than 450 locations.

By next spring, Wal-Mart plans to carry the gadgets in more than 850 stores, says Larry Pizzi, president of Currie, based in Chatsworth, Calif. Toys “R” Us plans to expand its distribution of the e-bikes tenfold, to 550 stores. “This has been the most rapid growth year in the company’s [10-year] history,” Pizzi says. “We’ve seen dramatically increased interest thanks to financial motivations, environmental concerns. And baby boomers are getting older [and need some help getting up that hill].” Target (TGT) also sells e-bikes.

Driven by Gas Prices

How long can the e-biking boom last? The dramatic decline in gas prices in recent months has lessened the urgency for alternative transportation for some commuters. A credit crisis is making it harder for consumers to borrow. Eric Sundin, president of Electric Bikes Northwest & California, one of the largest distributors of high-end electric bikes from the likes of Giant Bicycle in the country, says he’s noticed a slowdown in mid-October. He notes that late autumn is typically a slow season for the industry. Still, “if gas prices come down, people’s interest becomes more lukewarm,” he says, adding that bicycle purchases are “very largely correlated to disposable income… [More]

[Via Business Week]

Sure, you can place it on your blog, even use the photo if you’d like.
The attention I get when I ride my Tri-Crusier is fun!! I drive a Suzuki X90 so people expect something different from me LOL

Here’s a link to my homepage. I do have a pic of my Tri-Cruiser on it (under 2008 Major Hardscape done) I’ve gotten lots of email comments and questions about the bike. I tell everyone that if you want to feel like a kid again, buy one

[ Denise's homepage ]