After the Champaign meeting I was lucky enough to go Twiking with Matthew Childress. The Twike is a three-wheeled human-electric hybrid vehicle with seats for two and storage space.
In the picture above you can see that my feet are on the pedals. Pedaling helps power the car but you can drive it without pedaling if you like. Regenerative braking helps recharge the batteries.
Matt gave me a quick lesson and let me take it for a spin around a parking lot on the UIUC campus. It took a little getting used to, but its very easy to drive around. It got plenty of looks going down Green Street near campus and he took it up to the speed limit with good pickup on Neil Street. He drives it to work every day and gets to park in motorcycle spots since that's how the Twike is registered with the state.
I tried to imagine how a woman might react if I told her I was picking her up for a date on a motorcycle and showed up in a Twike. hmm... Matt says the Twike is a popular "people magnet."
Overall, it seems like a fun vehicle practical for daily commuting. You can read more about it and watch a video at his website.
My last Clean Car presentation before the election is for the Sustainable Springfield Inc meeting this Thursday, October 23, 7:00pm, Dove Center, Prairie Heart Institute 6th & Mason St, Springfield. The owner of Springfield's Comuta Car says he's planning to come so maybe he'll let people check it out after the meeting.