I have to admit, this has more to do with my wallet than it does with living green. Although, living green does matter to me! I would like your advise on buying an electric scooter or bike. Here's what I'm looking for...

I work 8.5 miles from home one way, so I need something that gets around 20 plus miles on a charge. Also, speed matters. I'd like something that goes faster than 5 or 6 mph.

It has to have a sturdy frame and a good battery. I can't have either of the two breaking down after a years time of almost daily riding. It will be used 5 days out of the week, excluding holidays... :p

Electric bikes are OK, but I'd rather do less peddling. It's also not a big deal to have the thing Look like a scooter. I had a low mileage electric scooter before, but it was surrounded by cheap plastic that developed cracks after a while. Finally, does a 20-25 mile range scooter actually get 20-25 miles on a charge? Or is it more like 7 to 8? I once bought a scooter that the seller claimed got 20 miles to a charge, and it was more like 5 max. And no, I'm not a huge person. Rather light I'd say...

Does anyone have anything to say about the following models:

Scooters "n" Bikes (http://www.scootersnbikes.com/cs-600z.html)
Scooters "n" Bikes (http://www.scootersnbikes.com/nh-600.html)
Scooters "n" Bikes (http://www.scootersnbikes.com/cs-350.html)
X-Treme X560 Electric Scooter - Gas Scooters, Electric Scooters, and Scooter Part Sales (http://www.neoscooters.com/proddetail.asp?prod=X%2DTreme%5FX%2D560)
IZIP Hybrid Electric Bicycles and Scooters (http://www.izipusa.com/EZGO.html)
IZIP Hybrid Electric Bicycles and Scooters (http://www.izipusa.com/HG-1000.html)


My budget is currently $1,000 or less. If you have any suggestions yourself, fire away! Thanks in advance. :D

I think a scooter is a great idea. I don't know much about them, but I wouldnt' mind trying to learn to ride one. Around here in Seattle it's probably not practical for me to ride one around becuase of the rain we get, but in the spring and summer I think it would be fine. I'm a bit afraid to try one, though because I have this terrible fear of falling; even though I wouldn't even consider riding it without a helmet!

I would maybe look at Consumer Reports and see if they've done any research on them. It's a good idea to check them out before hand and I see that you are starting off on the right foot by checking up on certain models. I actually prefer the classic looking ones, that seem like they came from the 50's or 60's. I would love to ride one like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck did in "Roman Holiday"!

Andrea