Sustainability Roadtest Kickbike

With the rising costs of fuel prices and the damage that is being done to the environment because of the petrol and gas guzzlers – oops, I mean motor vehicles… human powered vehicles are making a comeback in the transportation arena.

I’m going to test drive some HPV’s (Human Powered Vehicles) and report on them so if you decide to commute anywhere hopefully you’ll be more informed to make the best choice for your specific needs.

Today’s Road Test is the Kickbike.

Man, this is the coolest bike on the street!

The first time I rode it a group of teenagers watched me kick bike and one of them called out, “Oh! Sweet!” and I thought, Gee! I must look like a bit of a hottie today! It wasn’t until one of them added, “Where’d you get ya scooter from?” that reality reigned again and I realised I’d lost my sex appeal years ago… and the kickbike was the hottie.

Basically, a Kickbike is a big scooter that is so easy to ride you’ll laugh with pleasure as you scoot along. The thing I like about it is you can pull up and step off it so easily – much easier than with a bike. You can quickly step off it to step up onto the sidewalk, steer through pedetrian traffic, or go like a crazed Sustainability Scooter Nut down a hill, shrieking with childish glee… I mean, afterall, why should the kids have all the fun???

It has an efficient braking system similar to a bike and it comes in some cool colours. Exercise-wise it is a cross between running and cycling – with the benefits of both, minus the drawbacks. You get the aerobic fitness and strength building of both, without the damaging impact of running and the ‘nether-region’ soreness of cycling (the ‘callouses on the bum’ syndrome).

There are a few different models – the City Cruiser – that’s the pictured yellow one with the basket (it also comes in white). Then there are others that are more sporty, such as the Sport G4 (that’s the one with the gorgeous looking accessory, pictured above). LTSH (Long Term Suffering Husband) is an avid ‘Kickbiker’ – yes, that’s the name of the people who ride Kickbikes – and rides a silver beast with a racing wheel which is called the Millenium. I’ve been using a Sports Classic and I wear a backpack to carry the few groceries I get from the local supermarket.

After riding the Kickbike for about a week I began to feel that pleasant tickle of fitness. I rushed into the bedroom in nickers and bra and asked LTSH (Long Term Suffering Husband) if he thought I’d lost weight. He looked closely at me, screwed his face up and said, “Well, at least you have a nice smile.”

Hmmmmm…

If you’re interested in trying out a Kickbike then check out the Kickbike Australia website, or talk to Bruce the Kickbike Man (you’ll find his details on the site).

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