Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Bicycle!

Click here to check out a really cool lookin' hydrogen fuel cell powered bike! Looks pretty slick... The idea certainly is interesting as an alternative to gasoline, however, as The Rasch Factor says:

"Now all we need is a cheap source of Hydrogen. Doesn't it strike you that fuel cells are just high power batteries, rather than an alternative energy source? There is a future for nuclear power yet, but maybe not for commuters. What will happen to the suburbs when the oil runs out?"

I think there is definitely something to this last comment. It struck me while living in Madrid (a city of 4 million plus with an amazing Metro system built on the spine of the dense medieval core of the city) how this old European city could possibly be a model for cities of the future, belying its obvious past. My observation was based on the centralized nature of the city which is very common to cities in Europe. The actual foot print of the city is so minimal that in such a large urban city it is so easy to get around! People don't give a thought to going across town because the Metro works so well. Sure, there are taxis for trips out of the ordinary, etc. But if you added to this an extensive bicycle path network, you'd have an even cleaner city! As well, the amenities are spread so evenly (almost every street seems to offer what you need...) that the necessity to travel great distances is dramatically reduced. That being said, I do remember flying into Madrid in August and I was shocked by the grey-purple thick cloud of haze hanging over the city... The light was cutting through it at sunset, and it looked pretty, but still this was evidence of a very bad pollution problem. I am thinking this has more to do with the type of engines used in Europe in addition to numbers of cars. I guess what I am saying is that the 'building blocks' for a more sustainable system are all there in this more dense model. If distances are shorter, then the transit become that more easier! Whereas in the North American suburbs... An even greater problem is looming! As Niall says:

"As for the oil running out, it won't need to *actually* run out to cause huge problems - our oil requirements are steadily increasing, so as soon as supply fails to keep up with that demand (i.e., when global production peaks), we'll see huge changes. There are indications that peak production is likely to come in the next few years. Put it like this, unless you're a millionaire, I'd enjoy cheap air travel while it still exists..."

At the very least, Vancouver has a 'chance' to get ahead of the curve on this due to the fact that there exists reasonable public transit and a centralized core (though an argument can be made to counter both of these claims I am sure). A place like Los Angeles that is so locked into it's future as a suburban experience is doomed. No public transportation to speak of, and worse, no will to develop one. "Gimme mo dat bling bling baby!" is seemingly the only thing on people's minds down here! Perhaps they should be checking out the ENVY from some of that shine...