Finding Fume-Free
Wheels on eBay

By Lexi Green
September 22, 2010

On annual World Car Free Day, celebrated today in cities all over the world, people will not only forgo their cars, but will also skip out on traffic and the exhaust fumes, honking horns and cranky commuters associated with it—all in the name of celebrating alternative modes of transportation, our planet and their own heath. By many estimates, almost 40 percent of the transportation sector’s CO2 emissions are produced by the use of private cars in cities. This statistic does not even begin to include the human health impact from pollution caused by fumes and the ecologically-unfriendly life cycle of our vehicles.

World Car Free Day is a chance to take the heat off the planet—and your weekly gas bill—and reclaim your city streets, perhaps not just for today, but for the long run, too. Across the Unites States and Europe, cities are adding more bike lanes. New York City alone has pledged to create 50 miles of bike paths each year until 2030. And the number of bicycle commuters in New York City, according to the City Transportation Department, jumped a whopping 45 percent between 2006 and 2009. It’s no wonder that the number of bicycles sold on eBay alone (not to mention scooters and skates) has increased by 9 percent in the last 15 days vs. a 15 day period approximately one year ago, while listings have almost doubled as sellers seek to take advantage of the trend. So, leave your car in the garage today, or maybe even tomorrow, and enjoy a much friendlier commute with these picks.

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Mens Vintage Peugeot all-terrain bicycle

(buy it now price, 189.99)

Tomcat Fixed Gear Fixie Track Single Speed Road Bike

(buy it now price, $399.99)

White Cruiser: New Huffy Cranbrook Womens Cruiser Bike

(buy it now price, $94.99)

Turquoise Cruise: Electra Cruise in Turquoise

(starting bid, $230)

New InStep Bicycle Baby/Kids/Pet Stroller

(buy it now price, $108.99)

NEW Aosom Bicycle Bike Cargo Trailer Carrier

(buy it now price, $119.99)

New Trikke T78 Air Scooter

(buy it now price, $283.32)

NEW Razor E300 Electric Scooter

(buy it now price, $154.80)

NEW Uni-sex Inline Roller Blade Skates

(buy it now price, $32.95)

NEW Rollerblade Spiritblade XT Womens Inline Skates

(buy it now price, $99.95)

NEW PRO Style Skateboard Red Flame

(buy it now price, $37.99)

Vintage Original MAKAHA Originator 29 Wood Skateboard

(buy it now price, $500)

New Krown Complete KickRail LongBoard Skateboard Dunes

(starting bid, $39.99)

1. If you like a more laid-back leisurely ride, a less-intense cruiser is definitely the bicycle for you.

2. Become the next Tony Hawk with this pro-style board.

3. Make school drop-offs on your bicycle and be the healthiest and greenest parent in the parking lot!

4. This long board (the surfboard of skateboards) will help you catch those concrete waves.

5. Stay on your feet with a pair of cardio-enhancing roller blades.

6. Bicycles not your thing? Try a scooter. The double-wing platforms on this new Trikke scooter help propel the scooter forward with less cumbersome pushing. Plus, the three-wheel design makes learning how to ride this scooter easy and fun.

7. Need to get to where you are going quickly? An electric scooter, while still remaining gasoline- and emission- free, can go up to 15 mph.

8. These wheels, designed for new 'bladers, are comfortable and stable.

9. Feel like a professional racer by riding a fixed-gear road bike like this one. The pedals and chain are attached on fixed gear bikes, meaning the pedals are constantly spinning. This is a plus for serious road-bikers, hill-climbers, and those who want to get a better workout from riding their bicycles around town.

10. A vintage wooden skateboard is an old-school collectors' item.

11. Think you have too much cargo to lug around for a bicycle trip? Think again. This yellow bike cargo trailer can help even the most weighed-down commuter carry her gear.

12. This bike, with its retro design, is a great way to show-off your vintage-modern style.

13. Get around town or get in some serious off-roading time with this all-terrain vintage Peugeot bicycle. It works equally well for a commute and for rugged weekend adventures.

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