Lean, Green Transport Machines

Record gas prices and an increasing interest in preserving the environment have motivated consumers to search for affordable and clean transportation alternatives to the family car for getting around town.

In recent years, innovative companies have been developing modes of transportation that promote monetary, fuel and environmental conservation.

Best Magazine Senior Editor David Gregg

RAZOR E500S ELECTRIC SCOOTER
This is the latest addition to Razor's line of electric scooters. The model boasts an all-new, high-tech design, a larger frame for teens and adults, a travel distance of 15 miles on a single charge and speeds up to 17mph. It also has 16-inch spoke wheels a long deck, which offers plenty of room for the rider, and a variable speed motor with a chain drive. The E500S is only for use by riders 14 and up, with a maximum weight of 220 pounds. Check and obey local laws about the use of electric scooters on public property before you ride. Cost: $299.99. Go to razor.com.

TRAILMATE FUN CYCLE
You steer this sleek, pedal-driven vehicle with your body, while your legs get a great fitness workout. The Fun Cycle features a heavy-duty steel frame, weather resistant nylon bucket seat, rustproof mag wheels, and a front coaster brake. Height/Weight Capacity: 5'2" - 6'1" / 220 lbs. Cost: $515. Go to trailmate.com.SUN EZ-1 QUADRIBENT
The EZ-1 Quadribent is a two-seat, side-by-side, human-powered vehicle with a four-wheel design to maximize stability and a recumbent position to maximize seating comfort. A "heads-up" design eliminates neck, shoulder and hand pain and "co-captain" steering enables either rider to pilot the vehicle. The dual-drive enables people with different physical abilities to ride together, with either rider generating from zero to 100 percent of the power. The design makes it easy to combine an adult rider with a child and/or a physically-challenged rider. The new Mark 4 model even has a built-in cargo platform for pets. Cost: $1,900. Go to sunbicycles.com.

SEGWAY HUMAN TRANSPORTER
The Human Transporter (HT) i180 is Segway's newest, most versatile and colorful model. It comes with fender, wheel and battery options and was designed for extended range, stability and cargo capacity. The i180 is one of the first Segway HTs available with optional Saphion lithium-ion batteries that can deliver a range of up to 24 miles on a single charge. The top speed is 12.5 mph, and it has a 260-pound weight capacity. The i180 is available in red, yellow, or blue. Cost: $4,995. Go to segway.com.

GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCAR (GEM)
GEMs are produced by Global Electric Motorcars, a DaimlerChrysler Company, in Fargo, N.D. There are nearly 28,000 GEMs on the road across the country. GEMs are the leading (by sales volume) street-legal electric vehicle in the country. The GEM e4 is one of four newly redesigned models for 2005. GEMs have a top speed of 25 mph, can be driven on roadways posted up to 35 mph, and meet all federal safety standards for Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs). They are classified as zero-emission vehicles and have a driving range of up to 30 miles. Prices start at: $6,995. Go to gemcar.com.