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- Aug 2 2011
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Bamboo Bikes: The Latest Green Trend in Biking
The latest green trend in biking is hitting the streets of Charlottesville. The Blue Ridge Eco Shop is selling a bicycle that has a frame made entirely of bamboo.
The bike was made using recycled materials by a company based in Norfolk. The shop says the bamboo bike is stronger and lighter than some metal bikes and is guaranteed to last a lifetime. Not bad considering bamboo is a grass.
Paige Mattson of Blue Ridge Eco Shop said, "It grows like 3 feet in a day, so it grows so fast. It’s much easier to replenish so it makes it a highly environmentally friendly or eco-friendly material to use."
With seven speeds the bike was actually engineered for the hills of Charlottesville. It’s not cheap though, the bamboo bicycle sells for $950.
- Aug 2 2011
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Five Months Until First Phase of Light Bulb Switch
It is just five months until the first phase of the federal act requiring the use of more energy efficient light bulbs goes into effect. But before you run to stock up on old bulbs, remember we’re not on the brink of an incandescent apocalypse.
Congress passed legislation in 2007 to gradually phase out high wattage incandescent bulbs by 2014. However, contrary to popular belief, the law doesn’t ban incandescent bulbs. In fact, there are some halogen incandescent and light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs that will be.
Hansie Haier, a Charlottesville shopper said, "I think there are so many things we waste our money on, and this is one of the things we can actually invest our money in and see a return."
The Paramount Theater has adopted new lighting, replacing the lights on its marquee with energy saving bulbs. They’ve cut power consumption by 70 percent, and the bulbs will last much longer.
If you’re still worried about the initial higher cost of switching over to new bulbs, there are rebates available from groups like the Local Energy Alliance Program to help you reduce your home’s energy use.
