Yes, we know: Gas prices are skyrocketing and there’s no relief in sight. So, it’s time to get creative. How about a segway? The two-wheeled machines have been enjoying a level of interest they haven’t seen since their 2001 debut, with national newsies like the Wall Street Journal running stories about their surge in popularity. Segways are normally an accessory for the well-heeled high-tech geek set (Steve Jobs once raved that it would be bigger than the PC), but a few more ordinary folks are shelling out cash for their very own “people mover,” and cities and universities are also joining the fray. Chicago, Ill., signed a 20-year, $580,000 contract for over two dozen Segways for their police, fire, and emergency management departments. And suburban Aurora, Ill., purchased two Segways in May for their parking-enforcement division. While the cost for new vehicles is still pretty high—the average price is $6,000 in some areas—some are selling for as low as $800 on auction sites like eBay. But don’t call it a trend just yet. Domestic sales for the Segway are still sluggish; only 30,000 have been sold in the last seven years.

There was a time when the idea of an eco-friendly gas station seemed better suited for a Saturday Night Live� sketch, but BP is making it happen with Helios House, where gas attendants fill up tanks and give their customers tips on how to go green. Helios House opened in Los Angeles, Calif., last winter to great fanfare; BP calls it a “living lab” for other stations and people who want to learn more about living an environmentally-friendly life. Some of the station’s features include motion sensor switches in the bathrooms, LED lighting, a canopy that collects rainwater (used to water the station’s plants), and solar panels with enough energy to power three single-family homes. It’s also the first station in the country to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. “It’s a unique gas station, a little better for the environment than a typical station,” says BP’s web site. “And yet, still not as green as might be possible with today’s technology. Not as green as we hope to make it in the future.” See? Who says oil conglomerates don’t care about the environment? ...

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