If you ride, you’re already helping the environment because your bike uses much less fuel than a car does. If you’d like to move to the next step and be even more eco-friendly, here are three ideas.

Bicycle

The ultimate in ecofriendliness, a bicycle not only gets you where you want to go cheaply and without gasoline, but it also helps keep you fit. Cyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles.

Moving to the next eco-friendly level, bicycle manufacturers are rethinking how they create bicycles. Wood-frame bicycles are making a comeback for several reasons: wood is a better shock absorber and lasts longer than aluminum or steel, it isn’t as likely to crack, and it’s biodegradable.

You can find more information about wood-frame bicycles at GreenUpgrader.com.

Other types of eco-friendly bicycles are discussed at SierraClub.

Electric Motorcycle

Motorcycles that run on electricity can go over 100 mph and up to 100 miles on a single charge, and they’re a viable option for many people, especially commuters and social riders. Several companies, including Brammo and Zero are racing to fill orders in early 2012.

Zero claims that their motorcycles can go over 300,000 miles on one battery and that their operating cost is only $.01 per mile. Recharging time is 6 hours. Brammo’s electric motorcycle has a water-cooled electric motor and a six-speed transmission. Its Empulse electric motorcycle has won the Popular Science Best of What’s New Award for 2011.

Motor Vehicle Hybrid

Hybrid cars that run on electricity and gasoline have been on the market for several years, and a few of the top contenders are the Honda Insight,  the Toyota Prius, and the Chevy Volt.

These three cars have different features, but all accomplish the same thing—running on electricity reduces the need for gas, but when gas is needed, they get excellent gas mileage.

The Honda Insight has Integrated Motor Assist, which means the electric motor and gasoline engine work together to ensure you have the power you need. The Insight is rated for 41 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. It also has an ECON button, which helps the vehicle minimize its energy use. Honda also offers a hybrid version of its Civic, a hybrid CR-Z, and the FCX, a fuel cell electric vehicle. The Fit EV, a 100% electric vehicle, is coming soon.

Toyota offers several vehicles as hybrids: three Prius models (including one that plugs in), the Camry, and the Highlander. Their fuel mileage varies, but all are over 40 mph in the city. The newest Prius models also utilize solar power, and the plug-in model can run up to 30 miles in electrical mode.

The Chevrolet Volt can run on electricity alone for 35 miles, on a combination of electricity and gasoline, or on gasoline only, with mileage of 35 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

As South Carolina defective products attorneys, we’re always interested in new products and ideas. Do you have a hybrid, and if so, what’s your favorite feature?