Bike while not biking

Ever wanted to hook up a 500-watt motor to the back of your bike, but been afraid that you might look really, really silly? Well, Ridekick's here and ready to alleviate your uncertainty: you will look silly, but you'll also be pushed at 12-19mph on a single charge, so whatevs. Lest you be embarrassed by not being able to answer questions about your embarrassing bike-engine trailer though, commit this FAQ to memory.

How'd this thing come about? A former HP engineer who biked to work in Fort Collins thought perhaps it would be nice to get in without being drenched, so he began to rig up a solution in his garage. A neighbor was passing by and asked him what he was up to. Turns out, that neighbor had already created and patented the exact solution, so they went into business together.

Say I don't bike to work, but do occasionally enjoy eating? This thing's perfect for grocery runs, as the whole top opens up to store 42 liters of junk (about two grocery bags).

What if their man doesn't double-bag (last time he forgot to double-bag, and the bottom near came out)? The unit's completely enclosed so you'll be fine. Plus you'll get home faster, allowing you to watch that much more Shawshank every day.

In the words of the Light Brigade's second-ranking officer: what's the deal with that charge? The battery pulls out (!) and fills up in just 4-6hrs. Plus, the trailer's got a USB charger inside, so you can juice up your iPod/ cell phone while you bike by leaving it in there, which means if you've got a non-smartphone, this thing will actually help you look less silly.

Photo by Jonathan Turner, CIMedia, LLC