Why drive when you can power cycle? Most of us live in a city, and cycle paths and cycle safety training (www.publicsafetycycling.org.uk) can make the journey easier and more secure.

Many see the gradients on their journey as a way to boost fitness while others find it offputting, but advances in batteries mean power assisted or electric bikes can take the strain, see www.powacycle.co.uk or www.emotivecontrolsystems.co.uk for details. Emotive Control Systems have even fitted their motors to Pedal rickshaws so if your running an off-grid taxi , you can give yourself a boost.

Remember that if you are off-grid ready you can always sell your solar panel power back to the grid during the day while your bike charges from the grid at night thus reducing your costs and emissions.

You may just fancy the idea of a traditional study bike to hold a basket, at the front for popping down to the shops, Double Dutch ( www.dutch-id.com ) lets you hold 2 baskets while the Bakfeetz from cycle sense ( www.cyclesense.co.uk) means you can get a large load or take a child with you.

Folding bikes are also popular for those who want to combine a cycle journey with car or public transport, or simply keep the bike at the side of their desk or have little room at home. Many variations exist, see www.bigfishbike.com www.brompton.co.uk.

Maybe city cycling just does not appeal or perhaps your already a bike addict and want even more off-grid, on bike fun ?

If so, check out cycling holidays with people like red spokes ( www.redspokes.co.uk) , explore at www.explore.co.uk or even ride from London to Paris with www.action.org.uk.

If you’re cycling to be green then check out Ecologist magazines pick of the month Green Oil at www.green-oil.net.

And remember while your out and about, you can be using a solar backpack from the energy-independent line at o-range ( www.o-range.com) to be charge your phone,ipod etc.

Tags: off-the-grid, solar-panel, backpack, batteries, red spokes, cycle journey, electric bikes, cycling holidays, cycle safety, independent line, cycle paths, brompton, gradients, safety training, uk www, addict, public transport, emissions, variations, org uk, baskets