Smarter: Which Is Better, an Electric Scooter or an E-Bike?

Commuting in New York City can be a drag. Public transport is a mixed bag sometimes (yes offense, NYC subway), and driving makes me too anxious, so lately I’ve been exploring some alternative options of transportation. Sure, I love walking. These boots are made for walkin’, but sometimes these boots were made for a change once in a while, you know? 

I could go for an electric scooter because frankly, they just seem cool. Or I could buy an e-bike, which would help give me a boost if I ever get too tired of pedaling. So to get a clearer picture of how the two compare and which might be more well-suited for an urban commute, I sought the advice of experts, including my CR co-workers who are well-informed on the pros and cons of both vehicles. Here’s what they said.

What’s a good way to get free stuff? Here’s a tip: You can join the Buy Nothing Project or FreeCycle. Both are networks where people gift possessions they no longer need to someone who can use them.

This, to me, is the platonic ideal: I receive free things, and someone doesn’t have to feel guilty about throwing stuff away and creating waste. It’s the Venn diagram of being environmentally conscious and also proudly cheap smart about not making unnecessary purchases. You can read here for more information about how these groups work and which items you should consider for safety concerns before accepting.

In a previous issue, we talked about what is not safe to put in a microwave. Metal was one, and we told you, basically, “please don’t” as it could cause arcing and potentially even a fire. And though some manufacturers say you can use small pieces of aluminum foil in the microwave (just make sure they don’t touch the walls), we advised against it because it could still lead to arcing.

Bear in mind that “could” and “potentially” are the operative words here—we’re not saying arcing will always happen 100 percent of the time, but there’s a chance. And I don’t know about you, but I like my kitchens drama-lite and my microwaves fire-free, so I’m happy to play it safe.

One reader did raise an interesting question about microwaves. In their email, they wrote that their microwave comes equipped with a metal grill shelf, so why is the microwave okay with heating this very large metal structure inside? 

Answer: 

It’s because of two things. No. 1: Metallic racks like that are typically supported by plastic or nonmetallic clips and installed in a way where the metal doesn’t touch the interior shell of the microwaves, says James Dickerson, PhD, CR’s chief scientific officer.

No. 2: Not all metallic materials will necessarily spark when exposed to microwaves in an oven. And the metal of these racks is specifically designed so that it doesn’t arc. 

So yes, don’t microwave metal items as a general safety rule, but if your microwave comes with a metal rack, use it in the ways advised by the manufacturer, and don’t swap it in for any other random racks because those may not be designed to be microwaved, says James.

How do you know if it’s time for your second booster shot? 

💉 Currently, a second booster shot is available to Americans over the age of 50, or younger people (12 and older) who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

😷 If you’re at high risk for severe COVID-19, you might want to get the shot as soon as you can, as long as it’s been four months since your first booster shot.

Can air pollution harm your brain? Um, yes.

Plant-based meats are not always healthier than real meat, according to CR’s tests. Many of the plant-based products we analyzed had fewer calories and less saturated fat than meat, though that wasn’t true across the board. And more worryingly, most of the products CR examined had lots of sodium, which can raise your blood pressure.

What do plant-based meats have going for them? They usually have comparable protein to animal-based products, and they have more fiber (though most don’t have a lot—3 grams or less per serving). They also have less of an environmental impact, with their carbon footprint being 90 percent smaller than beef’s and 40 percent less than poultry’s.

You can check out our ratings of the 32 faux burgers, nuggets, fillets, and sausages we tested to see the nutritional value of each and how good they taste. Here’s a CR taste tester’s honest review of a certain “beef” burger: “Very spongy. Looks like a burger but doesn’t taste like one.” And another of “chicken” nuggets: “Slightly soggy and mushy, with a grayish interior.” Yum, just how I like ’em.