Earth Friendly Eco Feet

2009-10-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Why Charge Solar?

"Here comes the Sun...."

Solar power is a renewable energy source, it's free to charge from the glorious sun! You save money after the initial outlay of cash and payback is generally short term.

Solar power and chargers run the gamut from large solar panels for home and manufacturing to small battery chargers for flashlights. Their are chargers for electric bikes, cars, boats, water heaters, back packs, pool pumps and more.

Smaller chargers, such as the Solio, are convenient, cheap, lightweight and easy to travel with. They are great for outdoor activities, charging while at your destination and essential where electric outlets are not available.

What's your solar tip? Are you a solar whiz? Take the Solar Power Quiz and you might win a free solar back pack, an awesome addition to scooting about on your electric bike around campus or just quick errands to the store.

2009-09-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Helmets, Safety or Fear?

Seems to be a lot of discussion on whether cyclists (scooter, skateboard, mountain, street, electric or not) should wear helmets. 21 states have helmet laws, but generally for young folks. President Obama was even criticised for not wearing a helmet while biking with his family in Martha's Vineyard (Chicago Tribune, August 27, 2009).

The statistics are alarming, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute , 700 cyclists died in 2007. the typical profile was a sober male over 16 years old not wearing a helmet on a major urban road, hit by a car. The average age of cycle injuries is 30 and average age of related deaths is 40! Non-helmet wearers are 14x more likely to be in a fatal crash. Cycle sports related injuries are the second highest ER related visit behind basketball and higher then football!

Check out this bike crash video with no helmet ending up with lots of stitches to repair injured ear! YouTube - NASTY Bike Crash

Over 60 % of reported head injuries come from cycle fatalities. Up to 88% of cyclist brain injuries could be prevented by wearing a helmet, yet only about 25% of actually wear one! And why Not? Helmets are cheap, generally in the $20 range. But then we all should be exercising, wear protective sunscreen and eat healthy too!

Why do we keep trying to cut our lives short? Is it the thrill of risk? Do helmet laws increase fear and lower the number of cyclists? Should we promote more bike paths in urban areas and local communities? Do you wear a helmet?

Share your thoughts, www.streetscoots wants to know. Make a difference today!

2009-09-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Green Habits, Go Paperless! Hey earth friendly followers. There is so much Green talk today, whether in residential or commercial building, clothes, beauty products, gadgets and more. Slowly we can each make the Green change one product or effort a day. My latest kick is making sure I go paperless with all my bank and investment statements. No more wasted paper in the mailbox cluttering your kitchen counter and you often get rewards or little gifts for participating! Check out Mark Shead's Blog, Unclutterer, offering great tips on going paperless. Begin to break the habit, go paperless today!

Electric Cars Anyone?

2009-07-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, electric vehicles are everywhere. Not just scooters, mopeds and bikes. Now even skateboards. Nissan just announced they are revealing their "Pure Electric Car" on August 1! Read below:

Zero emissions isn't a future endeavor. It isn't hype. It's happening.

Right now Nissan is doing everything it takes to make electric driving a daily reality. Starting with a pure electric car. Not a hybrid, not even a plug-in hybrid. But a zero-emission electric vehicle made for the real world of highways, morning commutes and everyday living.

Of course, the car is only part of the solution. Nissan has developed a lithium-ion battery that's re-usable. And we're teaming up with communities and businesses to create an accessible charging network. This is a brand-new way to move.

Driving electric. We're making it happen. You can too.

Will you go electric car?