The Archives
Bloggers at the National Bike Summit
With over 500 people registered to attend the National Bike Summit this week in Washington DC, it’s no wonder that more a few are bloggers. Here are the ones I’ve found so far. Missouri Bicycle Federation. Wash Cycle. Metro Detroit. Bike Portland. Bike Iowa. Dangerblog from Kansas City, MO. Mean Turtle from Arkansas. Alan Snel…
Trek Encouraging the Midwest to "Go By Bike"
If you commute in the Kansas City, St. Louis or Omaha area you have a wonderful opportunity to encourage some of your friends who have been telling you that they are considering doing the same. There are others in your area that commuting by bike just isn’t feasible, but running short errands would be. Trek…
Multi-Mode Nerds: Handy Transit Schedules
Bikes, Buses and Trains, oh my! My multi-mode commute can get confusing at times. I don’t have one set bus route. There are 3 different bus routes and probably a dozen different stops I will use depending on errands I plan on running, the time I get out of work (road congestion taken into consideration)…
Chrome knickers are babe magnets
Tim reviewed Chrome’s knickers last year and now I’ve finally gotten a pair. I love them! Tim’s already discussed the form and practicality of the pants, but I’ve discovered another function: women can’t keep their hands and eyes off of them! They love the look and feel of the mid weight four way stretch nylon/spandex…
Bike shops for bike commuters
A common refrain on this site and elsewhere is that many bike shops don’t serve the needs of the bike commuter or utility cyclist. Many are interested in the high end, which has been the bread and butter for most of the bike industry over the past thirty years and which continues to provide most…
Baltimore Bicycle Paramedics
Bicycle paramedics. What a cool idea. In 1999, the city of Baltimore had difficulties getting ambulances to people in need at the celebrations at the Inner Harbor, where tens of thousands of people attended the event. In response, the Baltimore Fire Department established a paramedic bicycle team to help out during 11 downtown events. This…
How To Lock Your Bike
Over at Quickrelease.tv, they have a great (definitive?) article on the best ways to lock your bike and foil bike thieves, called “Lock It or Lose It.” The videos showing public apathy are especially eye-opening. Here is one tip from the article: A bottle jack can only be used on a u-lock where there’s space…
Change your view
The St. Louis Regional Bike Federation created a series “Change Your View” public service announcements to promote cycling as transportation. These 30 second spots emphasize the positive aspects of cycling and commuting by bike — you can interact with people, feel the seasons, smell the smells, see the sights. They intentionally avoided a “Share the…
Riding with a badly bent wheel
It eventually happens to the best of us. A pot-hole or storm-drain you didn’t see, a really rough curb hop, or a crash can bend a wheel pretty quickly. Not all hope is lost, however. You can often limp home on a taco wheel. If your bent wheel locks up from rubbing on the brakes,…
Swobo Del Norte seen in the wild
I was up in Sausalito for the Amgen Tour of California and spotted Erin of Swobo riding this hot Del Norte. CBB posted some spy photos of the Del Norte last fall; Erin says this bike will be available in about three weeks. This very sharp looking steel singlespeed is named for the Del Norte…
XYZ Bike — Overview: My Foul Weather Friend
I’ve had several opportunities to ride the XYZ Bikes Men’s Beach Cruiser since my initial ride in late December, and for a $100 bike — I’m happy with the results. It certainly would be an inexpensive way for people to find out if bicycle commuting is for them. First, the down side: There are a…
Lance Armstrong: "We have to promote bike commuting"
He really said that! Lance Armstrong will open “Mellow Johnny’s,” a bike shop west of downtown Austin, Texas this May. From Austin 360: Armstrong said he’d like to see Austin evolve into a place like Portland, Ore., where biking is part of the culture and people pedal to work, to restaurants and to run errands….
Bicycle Storage – The Claw
Whirlpool’s Gladiator GarageWorks division announced yesterday that they will become the first major U.S. manufacturer to commercially produce a product from the ABC Television network reality show, American Inventor. From the press release: The bicycle storage device prototype designed by Craig Forrest and David Moeller will be displayed at IBS then restyled, rebranded, renamed and…
Los Angeles Bicycle Master Plan Update
Those of you in or around the Los Angeles, CA area may be interested in attending one of the Master Bicycle Plan Update public workshops starting this Saturday. According to their press release: “The intent of the Bicycle Plan is to expand bicycle usage through further development of bicycle riding facilities, improvement of existing facilities,…
Commuter bikes at Handmade Bicycle Show
I’m at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Portland, Oregon this weekend. This fourth annual show is by far the best so far. A record number of exhibitors are here and the show has become a real media event with coverage in local and national mainstream media. Almost every imaginable variety of bike…
Flint Michigan Commuter – Doug Cook
For your enjoyment, here is a very complimentary article in The Flint Journal regarding a fellow bike commuter, Doug Cook, who commutes in Flint, Michigan. Doug rides a 16 mile round trip whatever the weather may be, and this winter has been a tough one. Doug is one of those rare individuals who really puts…
DiNotte 200L – Quick Fixes
At the beginning of November, I put together a very thorough review of the DiNotte 200L-AA-S headlight. DiNotte’s lights have been praised by commuters, tourers and randoneers alike because of their long run time, ample light output and intuitive and flexible battery solutions. I’ve now been using the DiNotte 200L for about three and a…
Keep Your Office Clean
If your office doesn’t currently have a policy regarding bicycles in the office, it’s most likely because nobody has given the management a reason to create one. It’s in your best interests to keep it that way! I’ve seen the fear of dirty carpets get bicycles nixed from offices on more than one occasion. I…
Chicago Bike Proposals
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman has an article on Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley‘s proposal for fines of $150 – $500 for drivers who endanger bicycle riders. The fines would come into play if the cyclist is caused to crash. From what I can tell, it looks like the three main concerns are dooring, cars…
Vanilla commuter bikes
Here’s a preview of what we can expect from the North American Handmade Bicycle Show coming up this week. These are step through frame bikes from Vanilla Bicycles. The wait right now for a frame from Vanilla is over five years.
Bike Boxes in the Bike Lane
Do bike boxes help? Have you ever used one? Do you even know what a bike box is? Here is a picture to help understand: Pic is from the Seattle Times, who published this article on the subject. I also came across this video with a bit more of an explanation. I think they…
Sheldon Brown RIP
The cycling community has lost a beloved and well known individual with the loss of Sheldon Brown last night after he suffered a massive heart attack. Besides being a wealth of information, Sheldon was always very free with his time and helpful to all comers with any kind of bicycling question. He made the technical…
Handmade bike show
Wow, Freewheel‘s series on “bikes for the rest of us” generated a lot of good discussion and brought up some points about the kinds of bikes you like and what you look for. I’ll be at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Portland, Oregon this week. While the show was probably still dominated by…
Bikes for the rest of us
Freewheeling Spirit has been writing a series of posts on Bikes for the rest of us. He’s exploring the availability of regular, old utility bikes that are not aimed toward the “enthusiast,” athlete, or weekend warrior. He wants bikes that you can hop on without lycra or cleated shoes. He wants bikes can carry stuff….