The C-1 Electric Motorcycle was created by Lit Motors, Inc. for those who are infatuated with the idea of motor bikes but too afraid to ride one. The C-1 has an enclosed frame, seats two and is balanced by gyroscopes.

The C-1 Electric Motorcycle can hit a top speed of 120 mph and needs to be recharged after an impressive 200 miles. The bike seats two although the second person looks to be somewhat squished in the concept photos. Several gyroscopes placed on the underside of the vehicle would help balance it at stops and in the event of an accident. Lit Motors’ C-1 would also have H2V, H2C, V2I and V2V connectivity to provide drivers with real-time information on weather and traffic conditions.

Encapsulated Eco Bikes [Trend Hunter]

Bike Spa is a group of experienced engineers and riders, professionals, with experience in distribution of motorcycle accessories and parts. Bike Spa has been developed an innovative, reliable and effective solution of an automatic wash machine for motorcycles. This solution is for all those who live and love the world of motorcycles, and to bring life into the culture of bikes all over the world. Their solution is “Green” than before and keep environment friendly and clean more than ever. Their solution fits to all motorcycles manufacturers, dealers, garages and bikers.

Idea submitted by Liron Lederman. Thanks!

LA Times: For some reason, gear ratios don’t interest most women. But as women continue to reshape the male-dominated auto industry, they do want to know about the space in a car’s interior, its exterior styling and its fuel economy and safety ratings, said Tara Weingarten, a founder of Vroomgirls, one of the newest of a small but growing number of automobile websites aimed at women.

While there are few of these specialized car sites, they can pack some real punch. Women influence nearly 70% of new-car purchase decisions and make about 40% of the purchases, industry officials say.

And automakers and auto-related companies scour the Web for new women-oriented sites, seeking effective alternative ways to advertise their products.

“Potentially, a new site like (Vroomgirls) has 100% of the attention of the visitors she gets — as opposed to maybe 1% of the visitors to some general site,” said Scott Monty, head of social media at Ford Motor Co. “Consumers want to know about what matters to them, and they want to know it now.”

Web neophyte Weingarten and her business partner, Marjory Hawkins of Austin, Texas, hope to draw a sizable share of those clicks with quality and style.

Specialized websites beckon to women who care about cars [LA Times]

Keeping accurate records of your mileage for deductions is a hassle for most companies and individuals. The I.R.S. is cracking down and demanding proof in the form of records in many cases. C.P.A. David Winiarczyk knew this and had many clients who found this reporting task cumbersome and full of errors. So, he invented the EasyMileLog, a product that makes this task simple and easy and is now CEO of the Company.

The EasyMileLog has the capability of tracking business travel separately from personal travel, and it creates a complete report of all business travel – broken out by day and trip – which at the end of the year is the documentation you must have for all mileage deductions claimed. The EasyMileLog is simple to use – it can be set up in seconds by plugging it in through the car’s 12 volt or cigarette lighter and pressing “work” or “personal” prior to driving. The built-in GPS unit tracks the mileage automatically in a format that is used for tax preparation.

TrendCentral: Car sharing services are esteemed for their practicality, but have offered little in the way of luxury. BMW, however, recently launched DriveNow, the first branded premium car sharing service. Located in Munich, the system boasts 300 Mini Coopers and BMW 1-Series models available for short term rental. With a onetime membership fee of just €29 (approximately $41), and hourly rates of €14.90 (roughly $21), it makes driving in style a reality for those who otherwise couldn’t afford to cover the cost of the insurance on such vehicles. Plus, gas is included which, in this economy, is a luxury in itself. In some instances, using a set of wheels from the DriveNow fleet could be cheaper than taking a taxi.

Car Clubs [TrendCentral]

M55 aims to build hybrid bikes. Its flagship model, the Beast, has the greatest performance among e-bikes. 1,500 Watts of power can accelerate this machine to a stunning 40 miles per hour and it can go as far as 75 miles with a single charge, even off-road.

The M55 Beast represents state of the art in its every detail. The major parts are custom made by seasoned engineers, utilizing technologies and materials used in the Formula One and electric supersportcars. Titanium, carbon fiber, CNC machining, brushless motor mechanism – just to mention a few.

No more hose, bucket, or soapy mess. How? Simply spray your car with our waterless car wash formula, wipe clean and admire away. The Eco Touch Waterless Car Wash’s unique blend of plant-based surfactants break down surface grime, while polymers leave your surface smooth and protected. Eco Touch will leave your car — and your conscience — clean.

Radi Design: A new device is being launched to specifically address a woman’s comfort with a seatbelt. The patent pending Drive ‘n Comfort is an unique device which pinches the seat belt strap at the center of the chest to take the pressure off, and still flares flat above and below to hold the torso securely as intended. It takes only a second to put on and is totally adjustable to place in the spot which gives the most relief. Smaller busts may be good in the cleavage center, while larger busts may feel more comfortable wearing it lower down. But there’s no more rubbing, flattening or irritation while driving – no more temptation to drive without a seatbelt.

The Drive ’n Comfort pincher is connected to a reel which attaches to the seat belt buckle, so the pincher is easily at-hand when the seatbelt is “buckled up.” When ready to exit the vehicle, the pincher is simply pulled off, automatically retracting to the reel, and the seatbelt retracts easily with nothing bulky to get in the way. In the event of a crash, the Drive’n Comfort pincher will pop free and retract immediately to the reel so the seatbelt can be in its full, flat position.

An Innovative New Device for Women’s Seatbelt Comfort [Radi Design]

Springwise: Consumers begin by registering their car with the GottaGetGas  site, including license plate, model, colour and type of gas used. If selected, they’re then invited to get an advertiser-provided decal affixed to their car at the nearest Caltex station. In exchange, they’re rewarded with a SGD 50 GottaGetGas card, which can be used to buy gas at any Singapore Caltex station.

Consumers are clearly motivated by cash, but a brand-sponsored reward like gas could be just as compelling while providing benefits for yet another partner in the equation. For the magazine, meanwhile, it’s a nice way to connect with readers while expanding advertisers’ options. A model to emulate on the roads near you…?

Carvertising campaign rewards drivers with gas [Springwise]

Inhabitat: Earlier this year we told you all about the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid concept car and now we get to tell you — as we so rarely get to do — that this concept car is about to become a reality! The Spyder which is surely to become the sexiest green car  ever (sorry Tesla!) just got the green light to make this dream a real road eating machine. Porsche’s first ever plug-in hybrid goes from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, gets 94 miles per gallon, and undoubtedly will have most of us drooling as it zips past us on our daily commutes. But why will we be drooling instead of riding inside, you ask? The price tag for the 918 Spyder is set at a whopping US $630,000!

918 Spyder is Porsche’s First Ever Plug In Hybrid Electric Car [Inhabitat]

Engadget: Daimler hasn’t had a sales success on its hands lately with its line of Smart cars, with sales festering after an initial boom. To try to re-capture the imagination of we smartphone-loving Americans with short attention spans, Smart unveiled the Smart Drive Kit last month and now, at the NY Auto Show, is giving it a proper demonstration. The iPhone app effectively takes the place of an infotainment system like Sync, including internet radio, navigation, and hands-free calling. It’s all demonstrated in a video above, and it looks cool — cool enough to even warrant $9.99 for the app and, maybe, the $49.99 annual fee for maps and navigation.

Smart Car’s Smart Drive Kit for iPhone demonstrated [Engadget]

TrendWatching.com: Created by Fiat, eco:Drive is an application that can be downloaded to USB and transferred to a vehicle’s onboard computer, aiming to improve driving efficiency by measuring the driver’s ability to drive in an eco-friendly manner. The software evaluates the user’s driving style and gives a mark out of 100. Online tutorials subsequently encourage drivers to improve their score, and ultimately reduce their carbon emissions.

Brand Butlers [TrendWatching.com]

applied product design: When you ride a motorcycle you have to accept that there is an element of risk involved. Obviously that risk can be significantly reduced if you take the appropriate precautions and wear the correct protective clothing.
One very important innovation has been made in the area of the crash or safety helmet. 90% of motorcycle fatalities are a result of injury from the neck up, ThermaHelm technology aims to reduce this.
In the event of a heavy crash where the user suffers a heavy blow to the head the brain can swell which in turn causes an increase in brain temperature. Once the temperature of the brain reaches a certain critical level it becomes unresponsive and shuts down causing the persons heart to flatline.
To stop this from happening a new gel pack has been fitted into the ThermaHelm crash helmet that activates upon receiving a heavy impact, the gel pack then works against the increase in brain temperature to maintain a consistent and managable level of heat, reducing the amount of damage caused to the brain before emergency services can attend.
These crucial minutes after an accident can be vital and anything that can be done to help save lives must be considered a step in the right direction.
New Cool Crash Helmet Could Help Save Lives [applied product design]

Forbes.com: In 2007 Lisa and Jeff Peri developed and began selling environmentally friendly bottled car wash called Lucky Earth. Its main offering – a mixture of water, coconut byproducts, sodium carbonate and water-soluble silicone – comes in a 32-ounce bottle and retails for $14.99.
Today 200 stores carry Lucky Earth, helping this company bring in $325,000 in revenue in the first six months of 2009.
Lucky Earth products are for customers who share the values and beliefs of the company, and who choose a brand on the basis of its green credentials. Lucky Earth customers want to be environmentally responsible and lessen their own impact on the environment. Because of these values, the company can target its audience and reach them efficiently based on other brand choices, such as where they shop and what cars they drive.
Accordingly, Whole Foods sells Lucky Earth alongside other environmentally friendly cleaning products, and Lucky Earth will soon be available at Smart Car dealerships.
‘Green’ Car Wash Maker Aims To Grow [Forbes.com]