Life Mobility Transportation Group

"Transportation Solutions for Better Living"

P.O. Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244 | Phone: (319) 621-4911

Welcome

Thanks for visiting Life Mobility. We offer sales and service of various transportation solutions for better living.

With the cost of oil at an all time high, and drilling having begun in Alaska's wilderness, people are even more eager to embrace transportation solutions that will be more sustainable and friendly to the environment. We are here to offer such solutions.

The ZENN by Feel Good Cars

As you will see from our offerings below, we have a variety mobility solutions that can get you just about anywhere in the world. Some of the solutions we recommend may require a change of lifestyle or relocation closer to your place of work. It is common for very committed individuals to move to pedestrian/bicycle friendly communities to pursue a life of healthy and environmentally responsible mobility. Most of the solutions below are self propelled or battery powered, so you can forget about gas stations, oil changes, radiator flushing, exhaust, noise, and other costly hassles of fossil fuel vehicle ownership. Please let us know if we can be of service!

What's New [Up^]

Here's the latest news from Life Mobility and the world of transportation:

Who Killed the Electric Car? This documentary examines the challenges that the electric car industry faced in its early years. Is there no future for the electic car? In theaters 28 June 2006. [ Preview | Official Site ] (20060528su1750)

Shoes [Up^]

One of the healthiest and most efficient ways to get around is to walk. Many people relocate to live so that errands and the daily commute can be done on foot.

We recommend the New Balance 766 running shoes. To our knowledge, this series of running shoe is manufactured in California without animal products or exploitative sweatshop labor. Click here for more information.

New Balance 766

Bicycles [Up^]

The Revive by Giant is a bicycle that has been designed from the ground up for the serious commuter. It features rear suspension to soften your ride.

The rear of the bike features a seat post mounted bag rack - a rare feature on rear suspension bikes.

Revive by Giant

As seen to the left, the Revive offers extreme adjustability. Several models are available with a variety of options.

This is not an electric powered or power-assisted device. Peddle power is required. For more information, visit Giant Bicycle at http://www.giant-bicycle.com/ or visit the product information page [click here].

Here are some useful links to bicycle related resources:

Accessories & Supplies: | Bike Parts USA | Headland | Performance | PlanetBike |
Advocacy: | Feet First | International Mountain Bicycling Association | League of American Bicyclists | PlanetBike | Rails to Trails | Thunderhead Alliance |
Bike Friendly Communities. This is a great website that addresses the issue of urban planning for healthier living and a better environment. http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/
CarFree.com
Environmental Resource Group
Manufacturers: | Bianchi | Bike Friday | Cannondale | Diamondback | Fuji | Gary Fisher | Giant | Jamis | Klein | Lemond | Litespeed | Raleigh | Schwinn | Specialized | Trek |
News
- Seattle family lives without cars and survives to tell about it! (20060604su1412)

Bike Trailers [Up^]

To enhance the capacity and usefulness of your bicycle, consider purchasing a quality bike trailer. A bike trailer makes it possible to run errands such as grocery shopping or going to the laundromat - even further reducing your dependency upon automobile transportation.

"The Shopper" by BicycleR Evolution

Here are some respected providers of bike trailers:

Clothing [Up^]

Poor weather is probably the greatest hindrance to commuting by bicycle or on foot. All-season outdoor mobility requires specialized outer wear.

Rain suits by FroggTogg are typically under $100. They are lightweight and breathable. For more information, visit FroggToggs online here: http://www.froggtoggs.com

O2 Rainwear by RainShield is also an excellent option as well. More information is available here:
http://www.rainshield.com/

Pro Action Suit by FroggToggs

Electric Cars [Up^]

Vehicles that are partially or entirely powered by gasoline, require oil, antifreeze, and other consumables along with the associated maintenance. Vehicles that are powered entirely by electricity offer quiet and relatively maintenance free transportation.

Feel Good Cars offers the ZENN, pictured at right, for Zero Emission No Noise. Learn more online: http://www.feelgoodcars.com/

The ZENN by Feel Good Cars

GoingGreen offers a new vehicle called the G-Wiz. Find out more online: http://www.goingreen.co.uk/

ZAP!, located in Santa Rosa, California, is a world leader in electronic transportation. ZAP stands for Zero Air Pollution. More information is available on their website: http://www.zapworld.com/

The ZAP Intimidator, pictured to the right, is one of several models offered by Zap.

Click here for a brochure in PDF format.

The Intimidator Light Utility Vehicle by ZAP!

Watch the video! A new line of Light Utility Vehicles from ZAP! offer speeds of up to 70 miles per hour and distances of up to 240 miles on a single one-hour charge. Right click (or Ctrl+click) here to download a 15 minute, 38 MB (WMV) video file about ZAP! Or, left click to view it now if you have a high speed connection.

The ZAP Worldcar LUV is a hardtop compact car which has the ability for tight parking in cities and town centers. This car is great for high volume areas due to it's comfort and economic value. The car also has trunk space for bags and groceries. The worldcar makes it a great choice for town or city living and holds the ZAP values of zero pollutants and emissions.

Worldcar by ZAP!

The ZAP Xebra offers seating for up to four adults, which makes it a viable alternative for commuters and/or families.

Click here for a brochure in PDF format.

Xebra by ZAP!

The Air Car

Moteur Developpment International of France (MDI) offers a car powered by Compressed Air Technology (CAT). The central factory is in Nice, France where the company president and inventor Mr. Guy Négre resides. The MDI Barcelona office serves as the principal sales office and works on commercial expansion of the project around the world - specifically in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, The United Kingdom, and Canada. For more information, visit: TheAirCar.com

The Air Car

All-Terrain Vehicles [Up^]

ZAP! presents the ATV Heavy-Duty - the formidable All-Terrain vehicle. Powerful and silent, the ATV Heavy-Duty is the off-road vehicle without all the noise and pollution and climbs hills with ease. The ATV Heavy-Duty is great for working around the ranch or just for having fun with family. The Zap Heavy Duty ATV offers speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and a range of 30 miles.

Click here for a brochure in PDF format.

Heavy Duty Electric ATV by ZAP!

Scooters [Up^]

Based on the simplicity of walking, the Segway personal transport system is a quick and easy way to get around town. The Segway is able to travel at 12.5 miles per hour - about the speed of a bicycle - and can travel from 11 miles to 17 miles on a single charge depending on the terrain and usage.

The Segway comes in two models. The one pictured to the right is the low-end version. There is another model equipped to handle up to 75 additional pounds of cargo. For more information, visit Segway at http://www.segway.com/

Another world leader in electric scooters is ZAP! You can learn more on their website here:
http://www.zapworld.com

Segway

Sometimes three-wheel scooters are a more practical solution to going long distances around a larger office complex or downtown area.

The unit pictured here has a 500 pound capacity. It can travel up to 5.7 miles per hour for a distance of 25 miles or more on a single charge.

For more information on this an other similar scooters, visit Discount Scooters at http://www.discountscooters.com/ or visit the product page [click here].

Sprinter 889-3XL "J3" at Discount Scooters

Bus

Need to go further than an electric vehicle can take you? Check out Greyhound for some reasonable rates to numerous destinations in the continental U.S. For more information, visit Greyhound at http://www.greyhound.com/

Greyhound

Train [Up^]

When you need to get there quickly, Amtrak delivers. Their nation-wide train service offers world-class accommodations from coast to coast.

For more information, visit Amtrak at http://www.amtrak.com/

Amtrak

Air Travel [Up^]

Making use of traditional air travel can be time consuming and stressful, but sometimes for remote destinations there's no practical alternative. Here are a few online air travel resources:

Travelocity

Mobile Hermitage by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company [Up^]

This is an ideal solution for those who'd like to take everything with them, including the kitchen sink. The Mobile Hermitage is a small all-season residential solution for minimalists who want to reduce their living costs while having more options for where they can live. Built of residential-grade quality materials, this diminutive dwelling is rugged and able to take all kinds of weather. Click here for more information about the Mobile Hermitage.

The Mobile Hermitage by Jay Shafer of
the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

As Seen On TV!

Resources for Life Director Greg Johnson was featured on CBS affiliate KCCI Channel 8 in Des Moines Iowa in a story about his small house. Click here to watch the video now. (20060521su1531)

Gregory has also been featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and written about in newspapers such as the New York Times. Click here for more about Greg in the media.

Electric Vehicle Concerns and Solutions [Up^]

Distance. "My workplace is about 25 miles away. An electric vehicle won't accommodate round trip commuting. What can I do? Should I consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle?" Because the purchase cost and operating cost is significantly lower on Electric Vehicles compared to fossil fuel vehicles, it isn't unreasonable to consider purchasing two vehicles. Leave one at work and one at home. When you drive to work, plug in. Your car at work will be fully charged. Use that for any additional mileage or for driving home at the end of the day. This solution works well for people who drive about 25 miles to work and then need transportation once they get there. It is similar to having two batteries for your notebook computer or video camera. You always have one charging. Another benefit of this approach is that you'll put half the miles on the vehicle.
Seating. "Sometimes we need to travel with four people. Many of the Electric Vehicles are two seaters. Should I just give in and get an SUV or HUMMER?" Because the purchase cost and operating cost is significantly lower on Electric Vehicles compared to fossil fuel vehicles, it isn't unreasonable to consider purchasing two vehicles. This is a great solution for families. Once you reach your destination, you'll have twice the mobility options. You can go in different directions and then meet up again later on. You'll get twice as much accomplished. You can't do this with a single vehicle.
Storage. "Sometimes we want to load the vehicle up with bags of groceries and other things. Most Electric Vehicles are small. Should I just give in and get an SUV or HUMMER?" Because the purchase cost and operating cost is significantly lower on Electric Vehicles compared to fossil fuel vehicles, it isn't unreasonable to consider purchasing two vehicles. This will allow two people to run an errand and utilize the full storage capacity of the Electric Vehicle.
Communications. "Because the purchase cost and operating cost is significantly lower on Electric Vehicles compared to fossil fuel vehicles, many smart people consider purchasing two vehicles. Doesn't this make it hard to visit since you're driving in different vehicles?" It is now possible to purchase very nice two-way radios that operate at high frequency. These radios make it possible to chat back and forth between vehicles. Many cell phone plans offer unlimited phone-to-phone communications for free.
Hybrid. "Hybrid vehicles are now available that use gasoline and electric motors to achieve 40 to 50 miles per gallon and can travel hundreds of miles. Why shouldn't a person consider one of these?" The development of hybrid vehicles is an admirable effort in the right direction. However, hybrid vehicles still need gasoline, they pollute, they need to have oil changes, they need muffler repairs and radiator maintenance. Hybrid cars are noisy when running on gasoline. So, the hybrid vehicles have many of the headaches of standard gasoline powered vehicles. Consider that a used gasoline powered compact car such as the 3 cylinder Geo Metro can achieve 35 to 40 miles per gallon and such a vehicle can cost $15,000 to $20,000 less than the hybrid vehicle. So the used efficiency car burns the same amount of fuel per mile as the expensive hybrid vehicle. Electric powered vehicles are typically less expensive to purchase and operate than hybrids. Generally speaking, vehicles that are powered by electric only are a better transportation solution.

Thanks [Up^]

Thanks for visiting the Life Mobility Transportation Group. Please let us know if there is any way we can be of service.

Resources for Life
Postal: P.O. Box 2717, Iowa City, IA 52244-2717 USA
E-Mail: lifemobility @ resourcesforlife.com
Internet: http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/lifemobility
Phone: (319) 621-4911
Blank Page: click here
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