Are they looking out for the environment, trying to attract attention or just compensating for not riding their bikes enough as kids?
Whatever the case, people are taking to the streets in new and unusual means of transit. An examination.
Smart car
-- Chief benefit: Eases parallel parking, impresses Greenpeace volunteers.
-- Major drawback(s): Surprisingly middling mpg (33 city); high cost ($12K and up); does not come with clown suit.
-- Surprise!: You'll need a trailer for golf clubs, Costco trips. Pedals not designed to be operated while wearing clown shoes.
-- Smugness factor: High, until driver returns from dinner to find car has been thrown into nearby canal.
Recumbent bicycle
-- Chief benefit: Prevents reproductive issues associated with standard bike seating .
-- Major drawback(s): Vehicle perches you at approximate tire height of passing SUVs.
-- Surprise!: Despite similarities, not as comfortable as typical La-Z-Boy.
-- Smugness factor: High, but maintaining pleased-with-self look while riding can cause facial-muscle fatigue.
Kick scooter, used by adult
-- Chief benefit: Develops kicking muscles in dominant leg.
-- Major drawback(s): Not cute, ever, not even if you're wearing Chuck Taylors.
-- Surprise!: Won't help your goatee grow in any thicker.
-- Smugness factor: High, because user convinces self scooter makes him different from all the other commuters.
Segway
-- Chief benefit: Saves police department on equine management costs.
-- Major drawback(s): Your unnaturally fluid movements may unnerve those in vicinity. Will not combine with Smart Car to make full vehicle.
-- Surprise!: Ownership may win you points with robots when they decide to take over.
-- Smugness factor: Low. The constant Segway mockery on "Arrested Development" still stings.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
Whatever the case, people are taking to the streets in new and unusual means of transit. An examination.
Smart car
-- Chief benefit: Eases parallel parking, impresses Greenpeace volunteers.
-- Major drawback(s): Surprisingly middling mpg (33 city); high cost ($12K and up); does not come with clown suit.
-- Surprise!: You'll need a trailer for golf clubs, Costco trips. Pedals not designed to be operated while wearing clown shoes.
-- Smugness factor: High, until driver returns from dinner to find car has been thrown into nearby canal.
Recumbent bicycle
-- Chief benefit: Prevents reproductive issues associated with standard bike seating .
-- Major drawback(s): Vehicle perches you at approximate tire height of passing SUVs.
-- Surprise!: Despite similarities, not as comfortable as typical La-Z-Boy.
-- Smugness factor: High, but maintaining pleased-with-self look while riding can cause facial-muscle fatigue.
Kick scooter, used by adult
-- Chief benefit: Develops kicking muscles in dominant leg.
-- Major drawback(s): Not cute, ever, not even if you're wearing Chuck Taylors.
-- Surprise!: Won't help your goatee grow in any thicker.
-- Smugness factor: High, because user convinces self scooter makes him different from all the other commuters.
Segway
-- Chief benefit: Saves police department on equine management costs.
-- Major drawback(s): Your unnaturally fluid movements may unnerve those in vicinity. Will not combine with Smart Car to make full vehicle.
-- Surprise!: Ownership may win you points with robots when they decide to take over.
-- Smugness factor: Low. The constant Segway mockery on "Arrested Development" still stings.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
