In the "hmm - maybe I need that" category is the BionX electrical assist. I've been telling my wife that I need a scooter for those days when I just don't want to ride into work, and driving the car 2mi to the Park&Ride makes me feel bad. She hates the idea and I think the fix here is the electic-assist. There are a number of players in the market, but the BionX might be the coolest. It comes in 4 trim options, from the PL350 ($1600) down to the P250 ($1100). They require a special rear hub that looks like an oversized internal geared hub, but rather than just pedal for you, they amplify your effort. You can set it from 25% - 300% of your pedalling effort depending on a. how hard you want to pedal, and b. how fast you want to go. I first saw it in line for registration when this guy went tearing UP the hill like he was barely pedaling. Pretty cool idea - and it'll mate up with a standard bike, or a long-tail (Xtracycle and you've got a battery powered way to make the ride home that much simpler. That - and it's cheaper than a Vespa.