On your bike now, if you please | Courier Mail: "FIRST the British and now the Spanish have joined the European chorus declaring compulsory bike helmets may not be the best thing for our wellbeing after all.
This is good news for Brisbane City Council's flagging CityCycle scheme and even better news for those among us who would love to use a CityCycle but don't happen to be carrying a helmet when the urge strikes.
A British Medical Journal poll of its readers - remembering their readers are doctors - revealed many believed compulsory cycle helmets potentially deterred people from taking up cycling and meant many didn't get the health benefits of added exercise."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tanks for the warning: crushing take on illegal parking
Tanks for the warning: crushing take on illegal parking:
"Arturas Zuokas, the Mayor of Vilnius in Lithuania, chose to drive over luxury cars in a tank to send a message about parking illegally.
''What should the city do about drivers who think that they are above the law? It seems that a tank is the best solution.''
The get-tough approach earned praise for Mr Zuokas, who has been better known for his involvement in a bribery scandal while serving two terms as mayor until 2007. He was re-elected in April.
''Mayor Zuokas wanted his message to be loud and clear that the city will not tolerate brazen and disrespectful behaviour by drivers who disobey parking rules,'' said his spokeswoman, Irma Juskenaite.
''The mayor hopes that he will not have to repeat his performance to have drivers heed his message, although he says that he is prepared to do so.''"
''What should the city do about drivers who think that they are above the law? It seems that a tank is the best solution.''
The get-tough approach earned praise for Mr Zuokas, who has been better known for his involvement in a bribery scandal while serving two terms as mayor until 2007. He was re-elected in April.
''Mayor Zuokas wanted his message to be loud and clear that the city will not tolerate brazen and disrespectful behaviour by drivers who disobey parking rules,'' said his spokeswoman, Irma Juskenaite.
''The mayor hopes that he will not have to repeat his performance to have drivers heed his message, although he says that he is prepared to do so.''"
Fear mongers be gone! Riding a bike is safe. | Over the Bars in Wisconsin
Fear mongers be gone! Riding a bike is safe. | Over the Bars in Wisconsin:
"In the last six weeks four people have been tragically killed while riding bicycles in Wisconsin. The headlines in the newspapers can’t help but trumpet that seemingly alarming statistic, and not surprisingly many of the comments under the online versions of those stories were equally alarmist and typically, patently untrue. As a certified and insured bicycle safety instructor, a person who has been riding a bicycle every day for the last 16 years and a traffic safety professional studying crash statistics for the last 11 years, I would like to present the actual facts about the risks of cycling. Despite the recent tragic deaths, riding a bicycle remains an incredibly safe and inherently healthy activity."
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
New KMX Seat Upgrade & Installation. - YouTube
New KMX Seat Upgrade & Installation. - YouTube:
"We ordered the new KMX seat upgrade from KMX America ($85 each) as it looked more comfortable with thicker foam padding & additional side support. This is a video of the installation.
"A review can only be justified after a good few 100kms of daily use, which I do plan to do at the end of the summer.
"Another nice thing about this seat upgrade, besides the very noticeable comfort improvement and additional side support, is both the foam & mesh seat cover are easy to remove (2 straps at the back of the seat) and they are fully washable.
"OBSERVATION: Those who are a little broader at the HIPS (42' or more) might find the bucket seat too narrow for maximum comfort and in some cases too small.
"Thanks again Richard, for having the patience and shooting the video."
"Thanks again Richard, for having the patience and shooting the video."
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Vehicles Pass Closer to Helmeted Cyclists — PsyBlog
Vehicles Pass Closer to Helmeted Cyclists — PsyBlog: "Vehicles Pass Closer to Helmeted Cyclists
[Photo by Jason Rogers]
Here's a subject close to my heart: cycling. Not least because I'm a keen cyclist myself but also because cycling is good in so many different ways - but I'm not going to bang on about that now. This study, however, has some counter-intuitive findings (the best kind!) about helmet wearing that seems to suggest cars pass closer if you've got a LID on. Also, and in stark contrast to conventional wisdom among experienced cyclists, riding further away from the curb does not cause road users to leave more space when over-taking."
[Photo by Jason Rogers]
Here's a subject close to my heart: cycling. Not least because I'm a keen cyclist myself but also because cycling is good in so many different ways - but I'm not going to bang on about that now. This study, however, has some counter-intuitive findings (the best kind!) about helmet wearing that seems to suggest cars pass closer if you've got a LID on. Also, and in stark contrast to conventional wisdom among experienced cyclists, riding further away from the curb does not cause road users to leave more space when over-taking."
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sue Abbott fights bike helmets - YouTube
Sue Abbott fights bike helmets - YouTube: "By the way, if you want to see what happened in court to sue, recently, Go to the sequel, No Helmet, Please.
It all began when Sue Abbott got a ticket for not wearing a bike helmet. That's breaking the law in Australia. Instead of paying the small fine, she's going to court at the end of this month, Sept.
She believes that helmets are dangerous for her. I was intrigued by her opinion and made this video to explore the issue."
It all began when Sue Abbott got a ticket for not wearing a bike helmet. That's breaking the law in Australia. Instead of paying the small fine, she's going to court at the end of this month, Sept.
She believes that helmets are dangerous for her. I was intrigued by her opinion and made this video to explore the issue."
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Streetsblog New York City » Why Jessica Rides
Streetsblog New York City » Why Jessica Rides
Jessica is the fitness editor for Prevention magazine. She’s lived in New York for ten years, but has only been commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the last couple of months. Not that she hasn’t been riding. She’s ticked up countless laps in Prospect Park on her road bike over the years, and even had a heavy old beater — a 1973 3-speed — that she’d take out occasionally. She was just never that comfortable riding in traffic.
Jessica is the fitness editor for Prevention magazine. She’s lived in New York for ten years, but has only been commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the last couple of months. Not that she hasn’t been riding. She’s ticked up countless laps in Prospect Park on her road bike over the years, and even had a heavy old beater — a 1973 3-speed — that she’d take out occasionally. She was just never that comfortable riding in traffic.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Bicycle-sharing system incorporates app and GPS
"Some readers may be familiar with the car2go car-sharing system, which is now in use in several cities around the world. Users locate the closest available car via the internet or a telephone call, go to it, unlock it with a chip card, enter their PIN on its keypad, then drive it wherever they want (within its range). When done, they just leave it at the closest designated car2go parking spot, where the next user will pick it up. It's a pretty neat idea, so if it works for cars, why not bicycles? That's where the fledgling sobi (Social Bicycles) project comes in."
Continue Reading
Continue Reading
Saturday, July 2, 2011
City aiming to be America's most bike friendly hands out $400 fines for unregistered bikes | road.cc | The website for pedal powered people: Road cycling, commuting, leisure cycling and racing. Voted the UK's number 1 cycling website at the 2010 BikeBiz awards.
City aiming to be America's most bike friendly hands out $400 fines for unregistered bikes | road.cc | The website for pedal powered people: Road cycling, commuting, leisure cycling and racing. Voted the UK's number 1 cycling website at the 2010 BikeBiz awards.: "Councillors in Long Beach, California, are urging their colleagues to back the scrapping of compulsory bicycle registration in the city if it is to achieve its goal of becoming 'the most bicycle-friendly city in America.'
Not only are many of those who have taken up cycling in recent years unaware of the requirement to register their bikes, claim the schemes critics, but fines for failing to do so are disproportionate, they maintain, according to a report in the LA Times.
The mother of one teenage boy found out the hard way about the law, when her son borrowed a bike from his cousin and came home with a ticket for $400 because the bike didn’t have a bell and was unregistered."
Not only are many of those who have taken up cycling in recent years unaware of the requirement to register their bikes, claim the schemes critics, but fines for failing to do so are disproportionate, they maintain, according to a report in the LA Times.
The mother of one teenage boy found out the hard way about the law, when her son borrowed a bike from his cousin and came home with a ticket for $400 because the bike didn’t have a bell and was unregistered."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Mikael Colville-Andersen - TEDx Copenhagen
Mikael Colville-Andersen - TEDx Copenhagen: "Mikael Colville-Andersen
Why We Shouldn’t Bike with a Helmet"
Why We Shouldn’t Bike with a Helmet"
Catherine Deveny (CatherineDeveny) on Twitter
"H. G. Wells declared bikes a cure for melancholy. 'When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.'"
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Two Successful Cycle Hire Schemes (And One Failure) | This Big City
Two Successful Cycle Hire Schemes (And One Failure) | This Big City
So what went wrong in Melbourne? Due to its compact city centre, Melbourne Bike Share is small compared to international equivalents, coming in at around 600 bikes and 50 docking stations. But with a population of 4 million in the greater Melbourne area, the potential for a large user base still exists. However, the scheme has only been able to manage an average of 183 trips per day Рa truly embarrassing figure compared to those of Montr̩al and London.
The reason for the scheme’s lack of success is as clear as the tyres of its unused bicycles are clean – mandatory cycle helmet laws. In Australia, anyone caught riding a bicycle without a helmet can be fined. Refuse to pay those fines and you can be sent to jail. In London and Montréal, any adult pedestrian can casually hire a bike. In Melbourne, you have to have a bicycle helmet with you at the time. There is no opportunity for unplanned bicycle use. The city may have a population of 4 million, but only a fraction can realistically use its cycle hire scheme.
So what went wrong in Melbourne? Due to its compact city centre, Melbourne Bike Share is small compared to international equivalents, coming in at around 600 bikes and 50 docking stations. But with a population of 4 million in the greater Melbourne area, the potential for a large user base still exists. However, the scheme has only been able to manage an average of 183 trips per day Рa truly embarrassing figure compared to those of Montr̩al and London.
The reason for the scheme’s lack of success is as clear as the tyres of its unused bicycles are clean – mandatory cycle helmet laws. In Australia, anyone caught riding a bicycle without a helmet can be fined. Refuse to pay those fines and you can be sent to jail. In London and Montréal, any adult pedestrian can casually hire a bike. In Melbourne, you have to have a bicycle helmet with you at the time. There is no opportunity for unplanned bicycle use. The city may have a population of 4 million, but only a fraction can realistically use its cycle hire scheme.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Trisled: Records
Trisled: Records: "Trisled's passion for speed is not just a sales pitch. In the past decade, we've put our designs to the test by attempting a range of national and international HPV speed records. Below are a few of our past projects and achievements which have wet our appetite for going fast!"
Friday, June 24, 2011
YouTube - Bicycle Rush Hour Utrecht (Netherlands) III
YouTube - Bicycle Rush Hour Utrecht (Netherlands) III:
"Morning rush hour in the 4th largest city in the Netherlands. Streets look like this when 33% of ALL trips are made by bicycle!
This is an ordinary Wednesday morning in April 2010 at around 8.30 am. Original time was 8 minutes that were compressed into 2 minutes, so everything is 4 times faster than in reality. The sound is original.
This is one of the busiest junctions in Utrecht a city with a population of 300,000. No less than 22,000 bicycles and 2,500 buses pass here every day. And yet Google Street View missed it. Because private motorized traffic is restricted here."
"Morning rush hour in the 4th largest city in the Netherlands. Streets look like this when 33% of ALL trips are made by bicycle!
This is an ordinary Wednesday morning in April 2010 at around 8.30 am. Original time was 8 minutes that were compressed into 2 minutes, so everything is 4 times faster than in reality. The sound is original.
This is one of the busiest junctions in Utrecht a city with a population of 300,000. No less than 22,000 bicycles and 2,500 buses pass here every day. And yet Google Street View missed it. Because private motorized traffic is restricted here."
Bikeleague.org Blog » Blog Archive » Ridership up, crashes down: “Safety in Numbers” in Minneapolis
Bikeleague.org Blog » Blog Archive » Ridership up, crashes down: “Safety in Numbers” in Minneapolis: "Ridership up, crashes down: “Safety in Numbers” in Minneapolis
The average annual number of bicycle/motor vehicle crashes in Minneapolis between 1993 and 1999 was 334. Since 2000, the number has dropped 20 percent to 269.
Why? Are fewer people in Minneapolis riding these days? No.
In fact, according to the US Census and American Community Survey data, the number of Minneapolitans regularly biking to work more than doubled between 1990 and 2008 (3,000 to 8,000). This increase is supported by the city’s counts, which show a 174 percent increase in bicyclists in downtown Minneapolis between 2003 and 2008."
The average annual number of bicycle/motor vehicle crashes in Minneapolis between 1993 and 1999 was 334. Since 2000, the number has dropped 20 percent to 269.
Why? Are fewer people in Minneapolis riding these days? No.
In fact, according to the US Census and American Community Survey data, the number of Minneapolitans regularly biking to work more than doubled between 1990 and 2008 (3,000 to 8,000). This increase is supported by the city’s counts, which show a 174 percent increase in bicyclists in downtown Minneapolis between 2003 and 2008."
Assuming the Worst « Helmet Freedom
Assuming the Worst « Helmet Freedom: "Yesterday, Queensland’s Courier Mail / Sunday Mail published an article on a recent report, produced by CARRS-Q & commissioned by the Queensland Government, on helmet use and the mandatory helmet law in Queensland:
“QUEENSLAND’S tough bicycle helmet laws are here to stay after a report found any relaxation could increase head injury rates by 50 per cent.
The Sunday Mail can reveal the State Government secretly commissioned a $34,000 study into potentially scrapping compulsory helmet laws ahead of the roll-out of Brisbane’s controversial CityCycle scheme and the release of a report questioning the effectiveness of helmets in preventing injury.”
Incidentally, it was the hard work of one of Brisbane’s most proactive Bicycle User Groups (BUG) that actually forced its release, not the paper’s.
While we have previously written about the CARRS-Q report here, it is worth addressing some of the points raised in the Sunday Mail article."
“QUEENSLAND’S tough bicycle helmet laws are here to stay after a report found any relaxation could increase head injury rates by 50 per cent.
The Sunday Mail can reveal the State Government secretly commissioned a $34,000 study into potentially scrapping compulsory helmet laws ahead of the roll-out of Brisbane’s controversial CityCycle scheme and the release of a report questioning the effectiveness of helmets in preventing injury.”
Incidentally, it was the hard work of one of Brisbane’s most proactive Bicycle User Groups (BUG) that actually forced its release, not the paper’s.
While we have previously written about the CARRS-Q report here, it is worth addressing some of the points raised in the Sunday Mail article."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Laser-made bike lane could save lives
Laser-made bike lane could save lives: "A safety device that projects a bright green laser image of a bike on to the road ahead – alerting motorists to its presence – could be a life saver.
Developed by Emily Brooke, a student at the University of Brighton in England, the invention has won her a place at Babson College in Massachusetts in the US, on an entrepreneurship programme, the university said."
Developed by Emily Brooke, a student at the University of Brighton in England, the invention has won her a place at Babson College in Massachusetts in the US, on an entrepreneurship programme, the university said."
Monday, June 13, 2011
New Inventors: Cruzbike
New Inventors: Cruzbike: "Cruzbike
A recumbent bike with a front wheel drive system that replicates the rear wheel drive system of a regular bike to retain the same efficiencies, while the rider’s weight is nevertheless properly supported. Higher off the ground than most recumbents so less chance of getting run over.
About the Inventor
John Tolhurst of Perth WA
B.Arts Anthropology/Visual Arts, 1984
B.Sc Architecture/Technology, 1986
As a student John’s passion was for architecture and the arts. He was inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s Synergetics and moved by Hassan Fathy’s Architecture for the Poor."
A recumbent bike with a front wheel drive system that replicates the rear wheel drive system of a regular bike to retain the same efficiencies, while the rider’s weight is nevertheless properly supported. Higher off the ground than most recumbents so less chance of getting run over.
About the Inventor
John Tolhurst of Perth WA
B.Arts Anthropology/Visual Arts, 1984
B.Sc Architecture/Technology, 1986
As a student John’s passion was for architecture and the arts. He was inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s Synergetics and moved by Hassan Fathy’s Architecture for the Poor."
The Bicycle Revolution:::West End:::About us
The Bicycle Revolution:::West End:::About us: "What we do
The Bicycle Revolution is dedicated to providing quality custom built recycled and refurbished bicycles for any occasion, from the daily commute to the leisurely weekender.
How we do it
All our bikes start from hand piquality steel frames. They are then professionally sandblasted and powercoated by 'Lewis and Sons Powder-Coating'. Finally they are hand finished and assembled by our qualyfied mechanics and all to your own specification, assuring thet you'll have a truly one of a kind ride."
The Bicycle Revolution is dedicated to providing quality custom built recycled and refurbished bicycles for any occasion, from the daily commute to the leisurely weekender.
How we do it
All our bikes start from hand piquality steel frames. They are then professionally sandblasted and powercoated by 'Lewis and Sons Powder-Coating'. Finally they are hand finished and assembled by our qualyfied mechanics and all to your own specification, assuring thet you'll have a truly one of a kind ride."
New Inventors: COSMOS Bicycle
New Inventors: COSMOS Bicycle: "The COSMOS uses a ‘planetary’ drivetrain (or gear system, or sprocket system). For the purposes of clarity we’ll call them sprockets and hope to reduce the confusion (not to zero confusion – there will be some confusion about this invention – guaranteed).
The pedals in the COSMOS drive a small planetary ‘18’-size sprocket that revolve around an 18 ‘sun’ sprocket . The largest sprocket is a 150, and is attached to and driven directly by the ‘sun’ sprocket.
This ‘150’ is a huge sprocket – you’d never see one on a track simply because you’d never get the thing moving. But with the COSMOS system, it is no harder to pedal than a regular high gear on a racer."
The pedals in the COSMOS drive a small planetary ‘18’-size sprocket that revolve around an 18 ‘sun’ sprocket . The largest sprocket is a 150, and is attached to and driven directly by the ‘sun’ sprocket.
This ‘150’ is a huge sprocket – you’d never see one on a track simply because you’d never get the thing moving. But with the COSMOS system, it is no harder to pedal than a regular high gear on a racer."
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Student-designed bicycle device designed to save lives
Student-designed bicycle device designed to save lives:
"Many people are afraid of riding their bicycles on busy roads full of motorized vehicles, and it's easy to understand why. Not only are bikes slower and offer less protection than cars, but they can also be more difficult for drivers to notice. A device invented by a British design student, however, could help level the playing field a little. It's called BLAZE, and it alerts drivers to the presence of a cyclist by projecting a laser image onto the road in front of the bicycle.
'Eighty per cent of cycle accidents occur when bicycles travel straight ahead and a vehicle maneuvers into them,' said Emily Brooke, a final-year Product Design student at the University of Brighton. 'The most common contributory factor is 'failed to look properly' on the part of a vehicle driver. The evidence shows the bike simply is not seen on city streets.'
She designed BLAZE in order to get those cyclists seen. The device mounts on the handlebars of a bicycle (or a motorcycle or scooter), from where it shoots a bright green sharrow (shared lane) symbol onto the road, several feet ahead of the cyclist. That symbol is visible even in daylight, and can be made to flash on and off."
"Many people are afraid of riding their bicycles on busy roads full of motorized vehicles, and it's easy to understand why. Not only are bikes slower and offer less protection than cars, but they can also be more difficult for drivers to notice. A device invented by a British design student, however, could help level the playing field a little. It's called BLAZE, and it alerts drivers to the presence of a cyclist by projecting a laser image onto the road in front of the bicycle.
'Eighty per cent of cycle accidents occur when bicycles travel straight ahead and a vehicle maneuvers into them,' said Emily Brooke, a final-year Product Design student at the University of Brighton. 'The most common contributory factor is 'failed to look properly' on the part of a vehicle driver. The evidence shows the bike simply is not seen on city streets.'
She designed BLAZE in order to get those cyclists seen. The device mounts on the handlebars of a bicycle (or a motorcycle or scooter), from where it shoots a bright green sharrow (shared lane) symbol onto the road, several feet ahead of the cyclist. That symbol is visible even in daylight, and can be made to flash on and off."
Biggest loser: tradie style - Health - News - Melbourne Leader
Biggest loser: tradie style - Health - News - Melbourne Leader:
"STU-E Corkran couldn’t have been happier for his tradie mates to call him a loser.
Mr Corkran, 45, lost 21kg, to edge out seven other tradies and earn the title of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union’s biggest loser.
In the final weigh-in at a construction site at RMIT University today, Corkran tipped the scales at 93kg - a shade of his former 114kg frame.
For his weight turnaround, Mr Corkran won a trophy, a $5000 travel voucher, and the right to brag about wearing lycra.
“I’ve been riding the pushbike into work as part of my training and I’ve worn the lycra into construction sites,” he said."
"STU-E Corkran couldn’t have been happier for his tradie mates to call him a loser.
Mr Corkran, 45, lost 21kg, to edge out seven other tradies and earn the title of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union’s biggest loser.
In the final weigh-in at a construction site at RMIT University today, Corkran tipped the scales at 93kg - a shade of his former 114kg frame.
For his weight turnaround, Mr Corkran won a trophy, a $5000 travel voucher, and the right to brag about wearing lycra.
“I’ve been riding the pushbike into work as part of my training and I’ve worn the lycra into construction sites,” he said."
Friday, June 10, 2011
Filmmaker fined for not riding in bike-lane - Yahoo!7
Filmmaker fined for not riding in bike-lane - Yahoo!7
"New York-based filmmaker Casey Neistat, who became famous around the world thanks to his 2003 three-minute film iPod’s Dirty Secret, has released a very funny short movie of him getting a $50 fine for not riding in the bike-lane."
"In the movie, Neistat tries to explain to the policeman who stopped him that sometimes the bike-lane is not the safest place to be, to which the officer replies: “It doesn’t matter.” "...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
City West Cycle Link: a once in a lifetime opportunity ACT NOW : BIKESydney
City West Cycle Link: a once in a lifetime opportunity ACT NOW : BIKESydney:
"Despite strong support from all local councils and cycling groups throughout 2010, the CWCL was ruled “out of scope” for the Inner West Light Rail Project (The GreenWay) by the previous state government. Construction of the CWCL within the Lilyfield Rail Cutting must be completed before the commissioning of the Light Rail (likely, second half of 2012) after which, it will be difficult to justify service disruptions.
The time to demand the CWCL is NOW! Today."
The time to demand the CWCL is NOW! Today."
Dad's home-built trike helps son recover from brain injury
Dad's home-built trike helps son recover from brain injury: "'The overall goal is to have Rob be able to ride his own bike,' said Dave. 'Rob's therapists have all noticed improvement in the strength of his legs, his endurance, and the improved reflex in his legs when he is 'walking.' Besides working on the brain and physical therapy, we're hoping being outside and together as a family will help Rob work on social connections and motivation for therapies. We're also hoping the cardio workout will help Rob practice taking deeper breaths and make his speech more audible. We've seen improvements in all of these areas since he started biking.'"
Monday, May 30, 2011
The wooden bike – an engineering marvel, a recipe for saddle sore | Kirsty Ennew | Environment | guardian.co.uk
The wooden bike – an engineering marvel, a recipe for saddle sore | Kirsty Ennew | Environment | guardian.co.uk: "We've featured a bamboo bike on this blog before, with thick sections of the segmented grass used for the tubes, joined with resin and finished with traditional components.
But the SplinterBike is something far more exotic – every single part is wooden; wheels, frame, gears. Even, painfully, the saddle.
Not a single bolt or screw has been used, nothing metal, plastic or rubber.
At 31kg, and with one fixed gear and no brakes, it's unlikely to win awards for practicality, but as an engineering exercise it's a marvel.
It began as a £1 bet last year between joiner Michael Thompson and friend James Tully as they watched the Tour of Britain zoom past Michael's front garden."
But the SplinterBike is something far more exotic – every single part is wooden; wheels, frame, gears. Even, painfully, the saddle.
Not a single bolt or screw has been used, nothing metal, plastic or rubber.
At 31kg, and with one fixed gear and no brakes, it's unlikely to win awards for practicality, but as an engineering exercise it's a marvel.
It began as a £1 bet last year between joiner Michael Thompson and friend James Tully as they watched the Tour of Britain zoom past Michael's front garden."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Take Action « Helmet Freedom
Take Action « Helmet Freedom: "You can do something about mandatory helmet laws and it doesn’t take much effort. If you believe in helmet freedom – that helmets are good but helmet laws are a disaster, then here is what you need to do:"
Take Action « Helmet Freedom
Take Action « Helmet Freedom: "You can do something about mandatory helmet laws and it doesn’t take much effort. If you believe in helmet freedom – that helmets are good but helmet laws are a disaster, then here is what you need to do:"
I am not a criminal! - Sydney Cyclist
I am not a criminal! - Sydney Cyclist: "It all started back in January when I received a ticket for riding without a helmet. Then I got another one. After some umming and ahhinh, I decided to contest them - I just wasn't prepared to be branded a criminal for doing something that harms no-one, and delivers benefits to society.
So yesterday I had my day in court. Going to court involves a lot of hanging around, but my case was finally called and I went to the appointed courtroom at the Dowling Centre. It was a small courtroom, and the only people there were myself, the prosecutor and the court clerk. Whilst waiting for the magistrate the prosecutor and I got chatting, and it turned out he was a cyclist too, and he commuted in from Gordon each day. All very jolly.
Then the magistrate arrived, and we were off. The prosecution outlined the evidence (essentially just the citations I have been given), and the magistrate turned to me."
So yesterday I had my day in court. Going to court involves a lot of hanging around, but my case was finally called and I went to the appointed courtroom at the Dowling Centre. It was a small courtroom, and the only people there were myself, the prosecutor and the court clerk. Whilst waiting for the magistrate the prosecutor and I got chatting, and it turned out he was a cyclist too, and he commuted in from Gordon each day. All very jolly.
Then the magistrate arrived, and we were off. The prosecution outlined the evidence (essentially just the citations I have been given), and the magistrate turned to me."
"Cycle campaigners responded to the AA's helmet give-away on Friday by staging a Highway Code give away for drivers.
As staff from the motorists' organisation distributed corporate cycle helmets and hi-viz tabards in central London on Friday (15 April), CTC staff and volunteers showed them what they should have been doing - giving copies of The Highway Code to drivers.
Cycle advocates were concerned that the AA's focus upon vulnerable road users risked misrepresenting the sources of road danger."
As staff from the motorists' organisation distributed corporate cycle helmets and hi-viz tabards in central London on Friday (15 April), CTC staff and volunteers showed them what they should have been doing - giving copies of The Highway Code to drivers.
Cycle advocates were concerned that the AA's focus upon vulnerable road users risked misrepresenting the sources of road danger."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Bicycle GT IT1
Bicycle GT IT1
Mountain bikes with internal gear boxes have been floating around the fringe of the industry for ever. Enter the GT IT1, a mountain bike using internal gears from one of the world's most recognised brands. What is it? How does it work? How does it ride? Well, we've got our sticky hands on a pre-production model - so you can bet we're going to do our best to find out.
Mountain bikes with internal gear boxes have been floating around the fringe of the industry for ever. Enter the GT IT1, a mountain bike using internal gears from one of the world's most recognised brands. What is it? How does it work? How does it ride? Well, we've got our sticky hands on a pre-production model - so you can bet we're going to do our best to find out.
Zeroed G-1 – a radical shift in mountain bike engineering
Zeroed G-1 – a radical shift in mountain bike engineering
The Zerode G-1 mountain bike incorporates a mid-bike-mounted internal geared hub
The Zerode G-1 mountain bike incorporates a mid-bike-mounted internal geared hub
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Zeitbikes Longhaul Electric, for when a Shorthaul isn't enough and your in need of some extra power. Price $2350 plus delivery anywhere in Australia.
Link:
Link:
Sunday, April 17, 2011
TRIZARD/TRIZARD XP
A new take on delta trikes! A low seat height for stability and less drag. The Trizard may just change your mind about what a recumbent trike should be. Buy two and make it a tandem! As simple as removing the front wheel aand hooking on!
http://www.ransbikes.com/Trizard.htm
http://www.ransbikes.com/Trizard.htm
BIG FAMILY, little income: Changing gears
BIG FAMILY, little income: Changing gears: "I went for a bike ride today - first one in 30 years. A good friend lent me one of his pushies (he currently has seven) and I borrowed my youngest son's Spiderman bike helmet and took off up the hill.
Up the hill! That was my first mistake."
Up the hill! That was my first mistake."
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thousands of cyclists breaking road rules in Queensland | Courier Mail
Thousands of cyclists breaking road rules in Queensland | Courier Mail
BADLY behaved cyclists are flouting Queensland's road rules in their thousands.
New figures obtained by The Courier-Mail show last year more than 6000 cyclists were booked by police for failing to wear a helmet alone, while hundreds of others were nabbed for pedalling through red traffic lights and even for riding a bike while using a mobile phone.
Compulsory helmets for motorists! http://bit.ly/gwGKL9 http://bit.ly/geDiMi
BADLY behaved cyclists are flouting Queensland's road rules in their thousands.
New figures obtained by The Courier-Mail show last year more than 6000 cyclists were booked by police for failing to wear a helmet alone, while hundreds of others were nabbed for pedalling through red traffic lights and even for riding a bike while using a mobile phone.
Compulsory helmets for motorists! http://bit.ly/gwGKL9 http://bit.ly/geDiMi
Monday, April 4, 2011
Bicycle Philosophy: If I can bicycle, I bicycle. > Bicycle Philosophy > Cycle Chic Boutique - Designs from Copenhagen
Bicycle Philosophy: If I can bicycle, I bicycle. > Bicycle Philosophy > Cycle Chic Boutique - Designs from Copenhagen: "View Larger
Bicycle Philosophy: If I can bicycle, I bicycle.
If I can bicycle, I bicycle. Bicycle Philosophy Gents T-Shirt
AUD $30.50
Size: Size Chart
Qty:
Availability: In Stock.
Product Number: 030-419829125
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Product Information
Fit: Fitted
Smaller cut, designed to fit tightly. Size up for a looser fit.
Fabric Thickness:
For stylish weekend comfort anytime, guys will want to live in our Fitted T. Made of ultra-fine, combed ring-spun cotton, that gets softer with each washing. Lightweight for summer comfort or winter layering. Grab attention with this vintage fit that loves to hug skin. (Size up for a looser fit).
4.3 oz. Ultra-fine combed ring spun cotton
Vintage fit (size up for a looser fit)
Made in the U.S.A."
Bicycle Philosophy: If I can bicycle, I bicycle.
If I can bicycle, I bicycle. Bicycle Philosophy Gents T-Shirt
AUD $30.50
Size: Size Chart
Qty:
Availability: In Stock.
Product Number: 030-419829125
Share |
Product Information
Fit: Fitted
Smaller cut, designed to fit tightly. Size up for a looser fit.
Fabric Thickness:
For stylish weekend comfort anytime, guys will want to live in our Fitted T. Made of ultra-fine, combed ring-spun cotton, that gets softer with each washing. Lightweight for summer comfort or winter layering. Grab attention with this vintage fit that loves to hug skin. (Size up for a looser fit).
4.3 oz. Ultra-fine combed ring spun cotton
Vintage fit (size up for a looser fit)
Made in the U.S.A."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: The Folly of Bicycle Licences
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: The Folly of Bicycle Licences:
"The Folly of Bicycle Licences
Once in a while the issue of 'bikes should pay' rises to the surface like bubbles of methane in Lake Kivu. In the UK, they're tackling it quite well with the I Pay Road Tax project. Several readers have sent links to Jonathan's post over at BikePortland so I figured I'd do a post about it.
Regarding bike registration in Europe, there are half a billion citizens in the European Union alone. 100 million of them ride a bicycle for transport according to the European Cyclists' Federation. None of them are inconvenienced by bicycle licences, least of all the Netherlands or Denmark - the two countries with most bike usage."
Once in a while the issue of 'bikes should pay' rises to the surface like bubbles of methane in Lake Kivu. In the UK, they're tackling it quite well with the I Pay Road Tax project. Several readers have sent links to Jonathan's post over at BikePortland so I figured I'd do a post about it.
Regarding bike registration in Europe, there are half a billion citizens in the European Union alone. 100 million of them ride a bicycle for transport according to the European Cyclists' Federation. None of them are inconvenienced by bicycle licences, least of all the Netherlands or Denmark - the two countries with most bike usage."
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: A Walking Helmet is a Good Helmet
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: A Walking Helmet is a Good Helmet:
"A Walking Helmet is a Good Helmet
At long last logic prevails. A new campaign has hit the streets of Denmark, thanks to the visionaries at The Danish Road Safety Council [Rådet for Større Færdselssikkerhed] and Trygfonden [an insurance company].
Intense promotion of walking helmets for pedestrians has begun. This logic has been sorely missed. These two organisations have happily promoted bike helmets but pedestrians suffer just as many head injuries, if not more."
At long last logic prevails. A new campaign has hit the streets of Denmark, thanks to the visionaries at The Danish Road Safety Council [Rådet for Større Færdselssikkerhed] and Trygfonden [an insurance company].
Intense promotion of walking helmets for pedestrians has begun. This logic has been sorely missed. These two organisations have happily promoted bike helmets but pedestrians suffer just as many head injuries, if not more."
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Driving Without Dying - Helmets for Motorists
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Driving Without Dying - Helmets for Motorists:
"Driving Without Dying - Helmets for Motorists
It's no secret that we're big fans of helmet campaigns for motorists. It would do wonders for reducing car traffic and encouraging people to ride bicycles.
We've previously blogged about the first Motoring Helmet, developed in Australia in the late 1980's. Later we covered the Protective Headbands for Motorists developed at the University of Adelaide on the background of an Australian government study that showed that many lives could be saved and serious injuries reduced if car occupants wore helmets or similar devices. We added a blogpost about the headbands here."
It's no secret that we're big fans of helmet campaigns for motorists. It would do wonders for reducing car traffic and encouraging people to ride bicycles.
We've previously blogged about the first Motoring Helmet, developed in Australia in the late 1980's. Later we covered the Protective Headbands for Motorists developed at the University of Adelaide on the background of an Australian government study that showed that many lives could be saved and serious injuries reduced if car occupants wore helmets or similar devices. We added a blogpost about the headbands here."
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Australian Helmet Science - For Motorists
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Australian Helmet Science - For Motorists:
"Australian Helmet Science - For Motorists
Since posting about mass-produced motoring helmets and later Protective Helmet-ish headbands for motorists I was curious to learn more about the latter, produced at the University of Adelaide.
It's taken a while but I finally recieved the study done in 2000 at the Road Accident Research Unit at the U of Adelaide, called CR 193: The development of a protective headband for car occupants (Andersen, White, McLean 2000)."
Since posting about mass-produced motoring helmets and later Protective Helmet-ish headbands for motorists I was curious to learn more about the latter, produced at the University of Adelaide.
It's taken a while but I finally recieved the study done in 2000 at the Road Accident Research Unit at the U of Adelaide, called CR 193: The development of a protective headband for car occupants (Andersen, White, McLean 2000)."
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Head Protection for Motorists
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Head Protection for Motorists:
"A while back we posted about an Australian 'motoring helmet' designed to protect motorists' heads in car accidents. It was designed in the late 1980's.
"Then we recieved this tip yesterday. Another head protection device for motorists, this one developed at the University of Adelaide, in Australia. A serious product for the serious of protecting motorists from the dangers of driving. Despite airbags and seatbelts, motorists are victims of alarming head injury rates. Here's what the Centre for Automotive Safety Research [CASR] in Australia says:
"The Centre has been evaluating the concept of a protective headband for car occupants. In about 44 percent of cases of occupant head injury, a protective headband, such as the one illustrated, would have provided some benefit. One estimate has put the potential benefit of such a device (in terms of reduced societal Harm) as high as $380 million, compared with $123 million for padding the upper interior of the car. This benefit derives from the fact that in a crash, the head strikes objects other than those that could be padded inside the car."
"Then we recieved this tip yesterday. Another head protection device for motorists, this one developed at the University of Adelaide, in Australia. A serious product for the serious of protecting motorists from the dangers of driving. Despite airbags and seatbelts, motorists are victims of alarming head injury rates. Here's what the Centre for Automotive Safety Research [CASR] in Australia says:
"The Centre has been evaluating the concept of a protective headband for car occupants. In about 44 percent of cases of occupant head injury, a protective headband, such as the one illustrated, would have provided some benefit. One estimate has put the potential benefit of such a device (in terms of reduced societal Harm) as high as $380 million, compared with $123 million for padding the upper interior of the car. This benefit derives from the fact that in a crash, the head strikes objects other than those that could be padded inside the car."
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Cyclists Are Better Shoppers Than Motorists
Copenhagenize.com - Building Better Bicycle Cultures: Cyclists Are Better Shoppers Than Motorists:
"It has come to our attention that in some cities, there is resistance from the community - namely commerce - towards such things as bike lanes and bike infrastructure in general. We see it from time to time in Copenhagen, too.
"Back in the 1960's, a radical idea was born. Pedestrianising the city centre. There was very vocal resistance from the shops. There were even cries of 'we're not Italians! We don't want to walk around the town!' The car was king."
"Back in the 1960's, a radical idea was born. Pedestrianising the city centre. There was very vocal resistance from the shops. There were even cries of 'we're not Italians! We don't want to walk around the town!' The car was king."
Melbourne City Bicycle Rider - Government Priorities
Melbourne City Bicycle Rider - Government Priorities:
"The City of Melbourne has a clear priority to make the City pedestrian friendly, following the advice of Danish architect Jan Gehl. Wikipedia states that Prof Gehl's 'career has focused on improving the quality of urban life by re-orienting city design towards the pedestrian and cyclist'. The City has embraced his advice in relation to pedestrians and high quality public spaces, by widening footpaths, creating spaces such as the City Square and Federation Square. Space has also been found for trams, with the superstops and by keeping cars out of the tram tracks more effectively. Melbourne is much more enjoyable, livable City now than 20 years ago as a result, and whereas the City used to become empty after business hours, it is now full of people all day and night, all days of the week."
YouTube - Melbourne Bike Share In Trouble?
YouTube - Melbourne Bike Share In Trouble?:
I went to Melbourne to find out how the new Bike share scheme was going, having bought a year's membership.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
National Ride2School Day | Childhood obesity On The Rise
But now the poor precious little darlings can't breath without adult supervision. We are making a generation of incompetents.
"Early this month, and quite suddenly, our roads got busy. The reason was simple: school went back and overnight once-quiet streets were invaded by vast, urgent fleets of cars delivering children to class in the morning and picking them up again in the afternoon.
"This twice-daily school-gate rush hour is now the norm but it wasn't always. Forty years ago 80 per cent of Australian children walked or rode a bike to school, and felt comfortable doing it.
"But in little more than a generation we've seen a precipitous decline so that today it is thought that less than 20 per cent of children get to school under their own steam. All this despite the fact that most kids still live within two kilometres of school: they are not travelling further, just covering the same distance in the back of a car. Sadly, it has become absolutely normal for children to be driven short distances to school, many every day..."
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pedestrians call for cycle ban
SMH Article:
A national pedestrian lobby group has called for cyclists to be banned from all Brisbane footpaths shared with walkers and joggers.
Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said pedestrians and cyclists should not be forced to co-exist and instead have designated paths.
On "separated paths", similar to Brisbane's Bicentennial Bikeway, cyclists can only ride on the side designated for bikes, while pedestrians must keep to the opposite side.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mayor Weiner's First Act Would Abolish Bike Lanes: Gothamist
Mayor Weiner's First Act Would Abolish Bike Lanes: Gothamist: "The Times's thorough, excellent, and infuriating expose on NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan certainly starts off with a bangin' lede, with a surprise cameo from Representative Anthony Weiner! While Weiner has positioned himself as progressive with his aggressive push for health care reform, he also plays well with conservatives because of his staunch support of Israel's occupation of Palestine. And it looks like his position on bike lanes would make him look right at home on the editorial board of the NY Post:"
Cyclists get nude in Melbourne - Yahoo!7
Cyclists get nude in Melbourne - Yahoo!7: "About 140 cyclists have shown a bit of cheek on the Melbourne leg of the World Naked Bike Ride."
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Video Cameras For Cyclists | Record Your Bike Ride As Evidence
Video Cameras For Cyclists | Record Your Bike Ride As Evidence:
"CYCLISTS have found a new weapon in their battle to stay safe on the roads - the video camera. They are mounting the tiny cameras to their helmets or handlebars to film accidents or near misses.
"Police say they are willing to use the footage as evidence."
"Police say they are willing to use the footage as evidence."
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