Green bike accessories
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Showing those slackers in Copenhagen how it’s done, cyclists -- already the greenest people on Earth -- can now go a shade deeper. Here are some environmentally friendly bike accessories that harvest the sun, return to the ground, come from plants or theoretically never wear out.
-- Roy M. Wallack Biodegradable bottle
BioGreen bottle: The first plastic water bottle designed to break down in a landfill in 18 months, not 1,000 years.
Likes: Inspired by the Exxon Valdez oil spill, in which microbes were used to eat some of the mess, these low-density polyethylene plastic bottles include an organic, non-starch additive called EcoPure that theoretically accelerates biodegrading by attracting microbes found in dumps. The final products left behind are soil nutrients and methane, which can be used as fuel. The bottles are not affected by heat and light and will not degrade on the bike. Also, unlike corn-based plastics, they are recyclable.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $5. Amazon.com or BioGreenbottles.com.
Night sun
CatEye Hybrid: Bike light with a built-in solar panel on top powers a rechargeable battery that provides 2 1/2 hours of light at night. Includes a regular AA battery for backup.
Likes: Compact, elegant solution to a real need. Since most people never ride more than an hour or two in the dark, theoretically you’d never have to buy a new battery again. If you run out of sun power,the regular battery has you covered. It’s a relief knowing that you’ll have a light on a long day ride that stretches into the evening -- and that your light won’t stop shining when you stop, as with the hub-generator variety. A lighted color strip indicates which battery is being used (blue is solar; red is regular). You can switch between solid and flashing beams. Weight: 5 ounces.
Dislikes: The 400 candlepower beam is OK for road riding but weak for mountain biking.
Price: $60. (800) 522-8393; www.cateye.com or www.worldcommute.com.
Undies forever
ExOfficio Give-N-Go athletic underwear: 94% nylon/6% Lycra briefs that the company claims will never wear out.
Likes: Though no one knows whether the briefs will truly last forever, ExOfficio has a rep for making durable clothing. Very functional, especially for weight-conscious cyclists on tour who can reduce their load to two pairs, as the briefs wash quickly in cold water and also quickly hang-dry. Includes an antibacterial treatment.
Dislikes: Them’s some expensive skivvies.
Price: $18-$25. (206) 691-5227; exofficio.com.
Veggie lube
Pedro’s Go! chain lube: Canola-based, biodegradable synthetic oil.
Likes: A good general lubricant. Vegetable oil is slippery, rust-preventing and good at working its way into tight spots. Derived from sustainable sources.
Dislikes: None.
Price: $6.99 (4 ounces); (978) 657-7101; Pedros.com.
Wallack is the author of “Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100” and “Run for Life: The Breakthrough Plan for Fast Times and Fewer Injuries.”
