>>>Maybe you need one of these: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30007505 :-}
>>
>>Not sure that counts as a bicycle.

That's a motorcycle. The motor may not have rotating parts, but it converts one form of energy into another, providing propulsion, ergo it has a motor.

>>Sometimes I get passed by one of those hybrid electric bicycles in London. they seem to go along quite quickly but look quite heavy.

My wife almost bought one, after I visited the shop and the guy bent backwards to extol the virtues of it. But then she visited it too and the guy was not so forthcoming. And then we went together and the guy just gave a very wrong answer to the question "how do you replace a tire on it". He said "whoever is doing it must come here and I'll show him". The sexist pig is not getting a single RSD from us.

>Never tried one although I hear there are some good models out there - at a price.
>Presteigne (a town near here) has an annual 'electric bike race'. But it's not really a race - they just go round and around the town 'till they run out of power. Last one 'standing' wins :-{

Hybrid as in "pedals and motor"? So... whoever had the heartiest breakfast may win it, then.