Editor's note: This post is part of a series. We'll be releasing one of Andy Lubershane's original comics each week until the end of the year. While many of the issues covered in the comics have been discussed on Worldchanging in the past, we hope that you'll be able to use this new medium in a different way … whether it's in your classroom, on your office wall, or to help explain ideas to friends and family.

This week's cartoon describes hybrid electric bicycles. For more in-depth info, check out Emily Gertz's piece on bike batteries, Jamais Cascio's post on the Twike, or this discussion (also by Jamais) on the lifting of China's electric bike ban.

Click image to enlarge

Andy Lubershane researches, writes and cartoons about sustainability from his home in Boston. He can be reached at alubershane[at]gmail[dot]com.

Another great comic! I need to get a hybrid bike, it sounds awesome!

Posted by: Alex on October 14, 2008 5:20 AM

Fun, funny and, as always, thought-provoking.

Posted by: Eric on October 14, 2008 3:27 PM

Hybrid electric bikes truly kick ass, they're the greenest rapid transport on the planet. I commute eight miles, charge it on utility wind power and get the dollar equivalent of 1,400 MPG. This is on a cheapo kit bike with lead-acid battery (costs about $500 for the kit, which pays back fast in car costs). I recommend putting a kit on a cheap mountain bike because it'll be a lot less likely to be stolen.

You can sweat if you want, or cruise like you're coasting downhill the whole way. It's like being a kid again. Maximum range is probably around 20 miles depending on your input and the age of the battery, which should last about a year or more if you don't drain it too much on a regular basis. Short trips and shallow discharge is best, replacement batteries cost about $100 and everything is recyclable.

Get one, you'll LOVE IT.

Posted by: Aquaponic Dave on October 17, 2008 1:36 PM