Front Bicycle Bag by Quirky

Just saw this new bag in development by the Quirky Team.

US Cycling Advocacy Organisations Combine

In a effort to increase the effectiveness of their cycling advocacy efforts Bikes Belong, the League of American Bicyclists, and Alliance for Biking & Walking, plan to merge into one organization.

Chris Fortune, Chairman of the Bikes Belong board said: “We can transform communities across the United States and accelerate the creation of a more bicycle-friendly America by combining the programs, resources, and members of these three leading organizations."

Indeed such a joining of forces will do wonders for the advancement of cycling in America, with one large organisation sending out a single message. 

Pibal by Starck

Well I'n not really a fan of Mr Starck, but I do like this new bicycle concept he has created. The thing I like most about the Pibal, as it is called, is the super low step through frame, that is more akin to a scooter. Thanks to BicycleDesign.net for pointing me to this one. 

Helmet Freedom

Bicycle helmets in Australia have been mandatory since around 1990, so its going to be hard to change a law that's existed for 2 decades. However with the rising interest in bicycle commuting, and increasing obesity many people are indeed questioning the validity of mandatory helmets. The people at www.helmetfreedom.org are definitely questioning it, and have released this video / commercial. 

Better By Bike - Design Competition

Better by Bike is a biennial national design competition held in conjunction with the Melbourne Bike Festival. Seeking to unearth improvements in bike, infrastructure or accessory design that improve the experience of the bike rider. Of special interest to the judges are designs in four categories handy, Happy, Healthy and Hot. 

Looking through this years entries, two designs took my interest. 

Firstly: ‘The Roadie’, made from a durable waxed leather and with a capacity for  six bottles (I assume beer bottles) in a classic six pack formation. This would definitely fall into the Handy and Happy catagories. 

Secondly: The Pause Rack, by Bike Storage. This one took my attention because I'm always interested in new bike rack ideas. I think its a pretty nice solution as the racked bikes have a tidy appearance, and the racks themselves are not visually overbearing. 

Coffee Cycling Art

Just a random picture I found...  not a huge fan of coffee art, but this is pretty novel.

Bicycle Sharing Map

Bicycle sharing is such a great form of public transport, this resource crated by Paul DeMaio in conjunction with The Bike-sharing Blog by MetroBike is a great way to find out if there is a scheme in a city you may be headed to. 




View The Bike-sharing World Map in a larger map

Peugeot 103

I saw this today on my morning ride. Sweet. I have a soft spot for these old mopeds. This one I think is from around 1972 / 73. It was in great condition, and the motor was surprisingly quiet. Its amazing how we were making this type of transportation 30 years ago, and now the same concepts are coming back, but in electric form.

I love the handlebars.

2012 Melbourne Bikefest

Melbourne Bikefest is set to start this weekend, running for a whole month from the 17th February to the 17th of March. It looks like its going to be huge this year with events showcasing arts, craft, film, and design all intertwined with a cycling dynamic, there's something for everyone, so check out the program here.

Bike Parking

I spied this picture of bicycle parking in a newspaper. Its from a new shopping centre in Singapore near the East Coast Park, a hotspot for cycling. Its great that the shopping centre is taking into account the needs of cyclists. And the design is very nice, perhaps not the most practical, but Im sure my bike would enjoy resting on the soft green grass.

10 Lessons for cities wanting to be bicycle friendy

Last week I cam across an interesting article on Grist. The reporter, Christine Grant comments on her adoption of cycling, a “car-lite” lifestyle, and how she fell in love with it. 

"Urban cycling freed me from slow buses, parking meters, and mind-numbing elliptical machines. I arrived at work with more energy. I lost weight. I discovered charming neighborhood restaurants. I could smell fresh laundry and dinners in the oven while I pedaled home through residential streets. Getting from A to B on my bike became the best part of my day."

With a fellowship attaining her the ability to spend six months living life on two wheels in the world’s most bike-friendly cities she discovered 10 lessons for cities wanting to be more bike friendly. 

1. It’s the infrastructure, stupid!
2. Bike share!
3. It’s safer than a sofa.
4. Say “thank you.”
5. Turn streets into backyards.
6. Let prices tell the truth.
7. You don’t need “bike clothes.”
8. Electrify it.
9. Admit it: It’s emotional.
10. It’s a virtuous cycle.

 Read the detail here. You can also read more about the cycling cities she visited on her blog Shift - "thoughts on shifting gears and transportation choices while adventuring on two wheels."

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Bicycles For Our Minds

Another Kickstarter project caught my attention. "Bicycles for our minds" is a project by Michael Mulvey created as a response to Steve Jobs famous quote comparing computers to “a bicycle for our minds." 

I am however more partial to this previous piece of work, by Mulvey, Drive Less Bike More. 

Haji Lane - Singapore

Whilst Casinos and theme parks seem to be the main things that stand out in Singapore, not to mention 2 percent unemployment, I was pretty happy to recently take a walk down Haji Lane. Its gone from a run down lane of empty shop houses to a urban hipster hangout in a short 5 years. The best thing however is that its also become a bit of a focus point for fixie riders, and casual urban commuters. Tokyo Bike has set up shop there, as well as Fixdure who carry bikes of their own design and a eclectic mix of apparel and objects from Asian designers.  Below is one of the Fixedure bikes, this ones a bit pink for me, but I love the frame.

Road user or abuser - Vicroads

In Victoria it seems that the angst between cyclists and motorists has go to a level where the authorities feel it is necessary to run tv commercials in the aid of getting everyone to calm down.



I like the comment "Im Warning You". I hope this is a reference to these recent events previously blogged here.

Shit Cyclists Say

I wouldn't have blogged this video, but it was put together by http://www.peopleforbikes.org all in the aid of bicycle advocacy. I cant help but think its also an add for http://www.amantecoffee.com/, and http://www.curveinc.com/ both of which are companies from Boulder. 




Here is what they have to say:

We're uniting a million voices to improve the future of biking. Join us by signing the pledge for better biking at http://www.peopleforbikes.org.

Take the Peopleforbikes.org pledge: "I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride." http://www.peopleforbikes.org/pages/pledge

I like the web badges that they have put together, acknowledging the different types of cyclist out there,

I liked it so much I took to making my own Ortre styled one featuring the Cinco5,

and I have added it to the blog, and will add it to the website, hopefully it will help get them a few more pledges.

British Cycling Economy - 2.9 Billion Pounds

The "GROSS CYCLING PRODUCT REPORT" recently produced by British Cycling and Sky has concluded that British cyclists contribute 2.9 Billion Pounds to the Gross National Product. Its an interesting report in that most studies focus on cycling participation, health benefits, and road / infrastructure issues, where this one has focused on the dollars and cents of cycling. There are lots of facts and figures in the report, but I think the real thing to take out of it is that cyclists and cycling are a part of the economy, their existence creates jobs, income and spending. All the things economists and politicians love.

I found this report at Issuu, where I also spotted two other interesting books, Bike to Work and Family Cycling. Will try and give them both a proper review later.

Design: cycling furniture from Korea

Spotted on Dezeen: Seoul designers HawaSoo have designed a clothes rail, a lamp and a stool inspired by the bicycle. 

Like the stool the most, as its more subtle.

Folding Helmet

I have talked a little on folding helmets previously. A nice folding helmet is definitely a product that would be of benefit to the urban commuter, and a product that would also reduce some of the barriers to urban cycling for many.

Here is a sweet folding helmet by French studio Agency 360. Named 'Overade', it offers as much protection as a standard helmet but folds up when not in use. Having a closer look at the Agency 360 site it seems they have done work for Look, and a folding bike.

Boxx - electric vehicle

I like this 1 meter long electric bike - looks neat. It doesn't have the option of pedalling, but I see this as the direction electric bikes will go. Check it out at Boxx.

 Reminds me of this classic Honda Motocompo .

Benefits of Bicycling

This picture has been floating about, not sure of the exact source.

Seeing it reminded me of  a book previously blogged about, Urban Cycling  by Katie King Rumford, 

In it Katie lists and goes into some depth on 25 reasons why you should ride;

1. No gas required
2. Free parking everywhere
3. No traffic
4. Always be the first one in line at the light
5. A bike goes where you want, when you want
6. Get your exercise while commuting to work
7. Builds muscle and increases strength and endurance
8. Annual cost of operating a bike: $120, vs annual cost of operating a car $5170
9. 100 bicycles can be produced for the same energy and resources required to build one medium-sized car
10. Decrease your carbon footprint
11. Limit your otherwise excessive purchases at the grocery store
12. Tend to support local businesses
13. Automatic air conditioning
14. There's adventure around every corner
15. You get to see the city
16. Less expensive to fix or replace than a car
17. You can learn how to fix your bike and maintain it
18. Makes you feel like a kid again
19. You appreciate a beautiful day
20. Feel the wind in your face and in your hair
21. Get some vitamin D
22. You meet people on bikes
23. Puts your mind at ease
24. Anyone can do it
25. It's fun

I highlighted my favourites,