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Electric bikes have never been cool. After all, what self-respecting rider would let a battery do all the work? But fuel-cell technology, which uses pollution-free hydrogen gas to generate an electric current, could ignite electric-bike sales. The first prototype, from Italian bikemaker Aprilia, stores compressed hydrogen in a 2-liter metal canister housed in the frame. With a top speed of 20 m.p.h., the bike won't win the Tour de France. But it weighs 20% less than regular electrics and travels twice as far, about 43 miles, before it needs more gas. Now that's cool.
--INVENTOR Aprilia --AVAILABILITY In 2003, for approximately $2,300 --TO LEARN MORE Visit apriliaenjoy.com
ACTUALLY, IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE
Senator John Glenn is not the only civilian who would enjoy rocketing into space, but chances are the rest of us won't be hitching a ride on a space shuttle anytime soon. We'll have to wait until private companies can take us there. Jeff Greason of Mojave, Calif., has done his part by creating the first low-cost, reusable rocket engines. Greason's EZ-Rocket prototype, which took flight this fall, is powered by twin engines that burn isopropyl alcohol and liquid oxygen to generate 400 lbs. of thrust. Greason's engines should be able to carry passengers 65 miles above the earth--too low to go into orbit but high enough to give space tourists a spectacular view of the planet. Greason estimates that planes powered by his engines could someday cost as little as $900 per flight to operate. The planes would cost as much as a Lear jet ($10 million), but Greason figures that's a bargain considering that Lear jets can't fly high enough and the cheapest boosters start at $100 million.
--INVENTOR Jeff Greason, Xcor Aerospace --AVAILABILITY In 2003, for $10 million --TO LEARN MORE Visit xcor.com
HOP, HOP...SPLAT!
Savvy marketers know that before you can sell a new toy for kids you have to seduce the parents too. Since the world is full of folks over 30 with fond memories of pogoing till they dropped, it's about time someone reinvented this retro favorite. The new Airgo replaces the metal springs of classic pogo sticks with an air pump for a smoother, quieter ride. Of course, kids--and grownups too--may have to land on their fanny a few times before they get the hang of it.
--INVENTOR Carlton Calvin, Razor USA --AVAILABILITY Now, for $80 --TO LEARN MORE Visit razorusa.com
EASY RIDER
The wind in your hair, the sun in your eyes, the smell of salt in the air--and then you get seasick. If you love boating but hate all that bouncing around, the OutRider may be for you. Mounted on a funny-looking ski and shock absorber, the flat-bottomed boat lightly skims the surface of the water for an ultrasmooth ride. Side hulls and an aerodynamic design help keep the thing steady while you zip over waves at speeds of up to 80 m.p.h.
--INVENTOR Richard Klem --AVAILABILITY February 2002, for $60,000 --TO LEARN MORE Visit klemflyingboats.com
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'