For those seeking a quick, environmentally friendly way to get around their neighborhood, it might be time to think small. Go-Peds, zero-emission electric scooters recommended for trips of about five kilometers, are a light, portable mode of transportation that could have you zipping past traffic jams in San José.
Ticos Sebastián Bolaños and Pablo Fernández scored the Costa Rican distribution contract for California Go-Ped brand scooters just last month, and are beginning to sell them here for about $1,500.
Go-Peds take three to four hours to charge up to their capacity. Fully charged Go-Peds will go 12 kilometers traveling at their maximum speed of 32 kph.
“I hate to drive a car in this city,” Fernández said. “I live in Escazú (the western suburb) and the presas (traffic jams) are awful there. When you just need to go to the store, somewhere close, the Go-Ped is great.”
Bolaños and Fernández plan to market the Go-Peds to people buying “green” houses, so that they can use the scooters instead of cars to get around their neighborhoods. They estimate that operating the scooters costs under $0.01 per kilometer, based on local electricity costs.
For information, e-mail sebastian@gopedcostarica.com or pablo@gopedcostarica.com.
–Elizabeth Goodwin
