Re: Human powered vehicles, a way to travel, conserve fuel and get exercise

[41mag]

are you thinking about a bike?

I'm assuming a bike.  Other options would be considered.

Mostly thinking of this as a way to not spend as much on diesel fuel.  Exercise is a nice bonus.  Would need to keep this fairly affordable, but don't want to buy low quality. 

[Russell Kanning]

then ... I recommend a bike

[Pat McCotter]

And if it wasn't such a short distance I'd recommend vegetable oil for your diesel but it would only just get warmed up before you would have to switch back to diesel. I wouldn't recommend running a single tank veg oil car in NH.

[KBCraig]

And if it wasn't such a short distance I'd recommend vegetable oil for your diesel but it would only just get warmed up before you would have to switch back to diesel. I wouldn't recommend running a single tank veg oil car in NH.

"Wouldn't recommend"? For at least four months of the year, it's going to be bloody impossible unless the car is hooked up to a heat source when not in use.

[jaqeboy]

I've been thinking about getting something for travel to work.  I'm on a limited budget, and was wondering if anyone had some suggestions.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, if the speed limit along your route is not over 35 mph.

[jaqeboy]

Or a scooter - see All Outdoors, opposite side of Elm Street, Manch. from Murphy's and south a couple of blocks - they have all varieties.

[jaqeboy]

Here's an NEV, recently shipped to the Bugle Boy in LaGrange, Texas. Prototype was seen at PorcFest '06 up at Rogers.

http://www.thebugleboy.com/nogasneeded/ngn.htm

[Pat McCotter]

And if it wasn't such a short distance I'd recommend vegetable oil for your diesel but it would only just get warmed up before you would have to switch back to diesel. I wouldn't recommend running a single tank veg oil car in NH.

"Wouldn't recommend"? For at least four months of the year, it's going to be bloody impossible unless the car is hooked up to a heat source when not in use.

"I wouldn't recommend running a single tank veg oil car in NH."

A two-tank system would be feasible but only for those who drive farther than a few miles. With my commute in CT being 60 miles I had no problem. During summer it took 2 miles before the veg oil was warmed up. In winter that went to 5 miles - with the radiator shrouded.

[Ron Helwig]

You might want to look into a motor assisted bicycle. You pedal, but for hills you can add power.

[jaqeboy]

You might want to look into a motor assisted bicycle. You pedal, but for hills you can add power.

Yeah, and they have motor-assisted trikes, too. Ethan sells them up at Wildfire HPV up in Arundel, Maine: http://wildfirehpv.com/

Since All Outdoors (across from Murphy's and down 2 blocks) dropped their mountaineering equipment lines and went all scooters, they might have the electric-assist bikes: http://www.aogear.com/

[Russell Kanning]

I would think a scooter would work well for the commute I think you have

[41mag]

I would think a scooter would work well for the commute I think you have

What would a scooter cost?  Is there any licensing or registration requirement?

[Russell Kanning]

the nh thugs want you to register (cheap for small ones) and have a license (motorcycle for all but the smallest ones)

[jaqeboy]

I would think a scooter would work well for the commute I think you have

What would a scooter cost?  Is there any licensing or registration requirement?

I believe that scooters under 50cc engine displacement fall under the moped regulations and do not require drivers licensing. I don't know about registration. Call them at All Outdoors and they'll fill you in.

[Russell Kanning]

they want DL for all sizes
they have special cheap and easy registration for the "mopeds"

that is why I am not currently buzzing around on a 49cc scooter right now ... it doesn't put me under the radar here in NH, even though it would have in CA.