The Archives
Commuting 101: Cleaning Up Your Act
You’ve made the decision; you’re getting on the bike and riding to work. There are some employers who will welcome you with shower facilities, lockers and the like. There are many more who will not. In the event your employer falls in the later category, you can still find ways to get cleaned up once…
mLite
This Week:1.Shipped out our largest quantity of bike cargo trailers for one week (11).2.Placed orders with all of largest suppliers BOB, Burley, Xtracycle & Ortlieb.3.Got ahold of a new light by Weber of Germany.It was a great week for sales. The first week of Spring ushered in great demand as people gear up for the…
Bike Trailer Videos Part 3
Gathering together bike trailer videos, I’ve noticed that Xtracycle users have by far been the most prolific with posting their videos.
This seems to be evidence of the inspirational and fun nature of the Xtracycle. When you get on one you just want to party. The inventions that the Xtracycle has inspired include a bike mounted blender system, a neon lighting system sold through the Fossil Fool, music systems that mount onto the Xtracycle’s Snap Deck and much more.
Here are a couple of videos of the good time to be had with an Xtracycle.
First time bike commuters
With the weather and gas prices both heating up, I’m seeing mentions in the blogosphere of folks trying bike commuting for the first time. Becky in Milwaukee dusts off her old Raleigh for her eight mile bike commute. Maria in Albuquerque is looking at a five mile bike ride in her multi-modal train plus shuttle…
Bike Trailer Videos Part 2
There are two ways to generalize how bike cargo trailers are used:
- Ride to work, pick up groceries and pick up anything else you can think off and haul it around town.
- Go on an epic voyage.
While all bike touring voyages are not equal they all seem epic as they are being prepared for and undertaken.
Here are some inspiring videos of tours that can truly be called epic.
Socks
This Week: 1. Ordered socks for the BikeTrailerShop.com 2. Updated listings for Burley Trailers with photos of their new hitch design. 3. Discovered a bike case/bike trailer for coupler & folding bikes, the Turtle Tow by Bilenky Bikes. 4. Discovered a light that mounts on flags for Bike Trailers, recumbents and any other devise with…
Help for our friends in the media
Ah, Spring is in the air! Seems like articles about cycling are in bloom as well. As a public service to those who have publication that have not written an article about people commuting by bicycle, we present the following media template: You will first need to find a local cyclist who is willing to…
Bicycle commute videos
When I search for “bicycle commute” on YouTube, 234 bicycle commute videos are returned, most of them numbingly dull. So, of course, I had to create my own seven minute video to bore everybody with. This video shows portions of my 22 mile ride up El Camino Real from San Jose, California to my office…
Reasons to commute by bike
“Recycled Cyclist” in Massachusetts writes that he commutes by bike for the wrong reasons — that is, he commutes by bike because — get this! — he actually likes to ride his bike. What a novel concept! He doesn’t ride to save money, to save time, or to save the environment or to improve his…
Bike Trailer Videos Part 1
I’ve been gathering up videos involving bike cargo trailers for your viewing pleasure. Though not a category likely to be given an award by the academy anytime soon, there is definitely some creativity and enthusiasm in all of these short films. Over the next week I’ll be posting my collection.
Bicycle safety quiz
Safety is always a big topic among cyclists. We usually share the road with multi-ton motorized vehicles. Motorists depend on safety features built into their vehicles such as restraining belts, air bags, crumple zones, antilock brakes, and traction control not to mention the safety provided by the mass of the vehicle. For cyclists, protective equipment…
Bike commuter benefits act of 2007
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced his plans to re-introduce the Bike Commuter Benefits Act. The bill would amend a section of the IRS code to include bicycles in the definition of transportation covered by fringe benefits. If passed, it would provide strong financial incentives for employees to bike to work. Currently, employers may offer a…
Don't Need It 'Til You Need It
20 years ago I thought bike helmets were silly and didn’t wear one. Back then I only commuted by bike occasionally, about a 20 miles round-trip, in traffic, and I never worried about safety issues. 17 years ago my wife convinced me that since my children were getting bike helmets, I should too in order…
Today's gas saving tip
Gas prices are spiking all around the United States. Blame who you like — Republicans, Democrats, Environmentalists, Big Oil, Communists, Fascists, Terrorists, whoever — the fact remains that you are ultimately responsible for the gas you buy. In that spirit, I present today’s gas saving tip, which is the title of this blog! Commute by…
El dia de ir al trabajo en bicicleta
Denver BTWD Spanish Flyer. Originally uploaded by richardmasoner. That mouthful is Spanish for “Bike to Work Day” or, literally, “The day of going to work on a bicycle.” In my area, many of the more visible bike commuters tend to be nerdy engineers riding fairly expensive rigs with pricey accessories and clothing. To us engineers,…
Shop Drawings
This Week: 1.Had a look at the drawings for the new workshop. 2.Started writing about 30 posts for the Bike Trailer Blog simultaneously. 3.Spent way to much time messing around in the world of Search Engine Optimization. My buddy Pete showed up with the layout for the new workshop. It’s looking nice. Now its time…
Bykaboose Trailer Review
Bykaboose trailers has been around for about 10 years now manufacturing the Gecko and the nearly identical, and slightly smaller Newt Cargo Trailers.
The Bykaboose Gecko and Bykaboose Newt are two afford ably priced trailers that offer solid performance. There most unique feature is there pop up design that allow them to easily collapse down for storage or travel.
$250 instant rebate for folding bicycle
Santa Cruz County residents can receive a discount of up to $250 on folding bikes through the Santa Cruz Area Transportation Management Agency. The Santa Cruz Area TMA started the folding bike program yesterday to encourage area resident to ride the bus. Santa Cruz County also offers instant rebates of up to $375 for electric…
Do NOT Stop the Presses
I promise you I’m working on some other articles – but I couldn’t pass up this link to a Boston Herald article about bike commuting. This one leads with a chef who has a three hour roundtrip bike commute six days per week and has my favorite quote thus far of all the recent, numerous…
Seven steps to a bicycle friendly workplace
Bicycle Colorado recently posted these seven steps to a bicycle friendly workplace. Encourage your co-workers to bicycle to work as a way to promote health, decrease turnover, and relieve crowded parking lots. Post a bike map with local bicycling routes in office break areas or near the main entrance to highlight good routes near your…
Bike Commuters in the News
I was happy to see several positive news stories in the last few days about those of us who commute by bike. Here are a couple quick reads: A Hartford journalist goes on a ride-along. According to the article, we are “part of a national movement.” Bike commuters are also refered to as “Pioneers” who…
Fuel saving tip: Ride a bike!
Daily Fuel Economy Tip is an informative blog to help people buy less gasoline and save money. With gasoline prices hitting $3/gallon in California again, I’m sure there’s renewed interest in these kinds of things. Last year, the Daily Tip was to reduce your driving, suggesting the bike as a means to get around. I…
Commuter bikes at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show
NAHBS: Thursday Bicycles "Muttonmaster" Originally uploaded by richardmasoner. I attended the 2007 North American Bicycle Show in San Jose, California this past weekend, where craftsman displayed their works of art and admired one another’s worksmanship. In addition to showing fascinating concept bikes and high performance racers, several builders specializing in utility bikes also appeared at…
Brainstorms
This week: 1. Redesigned the little bracket part that makes a Greenspeed Trike’s rear rack mount nicely onto a BOB Yak trailer. 2. Took photos of & posted a listing for a security cable lock setup for BOB Trailers, the above mentioned Greenspeed rack mount, and a B&M 4D Toplight to mount onto the Greenspeed…