Best Commuter Bikes For 2011

Jamis Commuter 3 Bike

The best commuter bikes for 2011 present a wide variety of styles and components to best suit personal needs. Bike manufacturers have answered the call to the increased population of bike commuters by designing full lines of commuter specific bikes. Though many of these commuter bikes aren’t cheap, if you’re giving up the car in… [Continue Reading]

High Speed Trains In The U.S.: A Matter Of Efficiency

High Speed Trains In The U.S.

With the high speed rail debate officially jumping the tracks into the political arena, American citizens are left to sort through the onslaught of bureaucratic bantering which so often leads to misinformation. The question that’s causing tempers to flare on both sides is whether the government should be funding high speed rail projects across the… [Continue Reading]

Best Electric Bikes For 2012

eZee LiV Electric Bike

The past year has seen an abundance of bike manufacturers entering into the electric bike arena with slick, lightweight and powerful bikes. Despite misconceptions, electric bikes allow commuters to increase their range safely and arrive to the office smelling fresh, while still getting exercise (yes, you still have to pedal an electric bike) and reducing… [Continue Reading]

Personal Energy Generator Recharges Your Electronic Device While You Move

nPower Peg

The new nPower PEG (personal energy generator) by Tremont Electric wowed reviewers at the 2011 CES convention. This back-up hybrid charger allows you to keep your cell phone, iPod, or other hand-held device working while you’re on the go. By harnessing the kinetic energy that you produce through movement, then converting it into accessible power,… [Continue Reading]

Portland Set To Build Innovative Pedestrian and Bike Bridge

Artist Rendering of Portland's Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge

Portland, Oregon continues to set the standard of being a bike and pedestrian friendly city by building a 700 foot bridge over Interstate 5 that will allow users to travel from the Lair Hill neighborhood to the South Waterfront District. The Gibbs Street bridge is only for walking and bike riding. Portland bike commuters will… [Continue Reading]

Electric Cars Making A Comeback In 2011

Better Place

2011 is being heralded by auto industry insiders as the “year of the electric car”. Though we here at Metaefficient endorse a life free of dependency upon cars, 100% electric vehicles are certainly more fuel efficient than internal combustion vehicles and may be on their way to becoming user-friendly as well. For 2011 consumers interested… [Continue Reading]

Better Place Shows Electric Taxis Working in the Real World

Better Place Shows Electric Taxis Working in the Real World

Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place, has a vision — a vision for a world free of oil dependency. Mr. Agassi, who is well on his way to making this vision a reality, has what he believes is the solution for making electric vehicles efficient and affordable. He theorizes that the only way… [Continue Reading]

3 Reasons Light Rail is an Efficient Transportation Option for U.S. Cities

DART- Dallas Light Rail

Light rail is a type of electric railway that runs on right-of-way railroad tracks or on tracks in city streets. Using their own lanes and able to go anywhere, light rail cars mix well in urban settings by not getting caught up in traffic congestion. Though the United States operates the largest and most efficient… [Continue Reading]

Wool Clothing for Biking Commuters

armwarmer

Does the idea of making that chilly morning commute dressed in wool leave you scratching like a sheep in need of a haircut?  Think again. Gone are the days of itchy wool clothing. Merino wool is not only durable, but soft and comfortable. It’s the best natural material for wicking moisture away from the skin… [Continue Reading]

Electric Folding Bikes: Ultra-Efficient City Travel

Dahon Mu With Bionx Folded

Folding bikes are particularly efficient when used in conjunction with public transit. Unlike regular bikes, they can be taken easily on buses, trains or ferries. In fact, some transit systems will only allow folding bikes to be taken on board. I recently reviewed the Best Folding Bikes of 2008. An efficient addition to these bikes… [Continue Reading]