September 30th, 2009
Poll: Horn Honking
This poll is a follow-up to the discussion under yesterday’s “Quiet Killers?” post. Please read the comment thread before voting.
Loading ... Loading ...September 30th, 2009
Autumn Sunrise
I try to catch the sunrise at this location every morning on my commute. At this spot, the trail points nearly due east, so in the summer the Sun rises to the left of the trail, and in the winter it rises to the right. On the morning of the equinox the Sun was almost perfectly centered on the trail. The further we get from the equinox, the further from the trail the Sun rises. It’s a pleasant reminder of the passage of time and the change of seasons.
September 29th, 2009
Wald Woody
Wald has been making bicycle baskets and accessories in Kentucky, USA since 1924. Their wire baskets have been a staple of utility bicyclists for many decades. Their latest item, which debuted last week at Interbike, is the 139WW Woody front basket:
Presenting classic functionality with modern elegance – Wald 139WW Woody front basket coming soon to a bicycle retailer near you.
Wald 139WW Woody is the Wald 139 basket with hardwood slats. The handlebar clamps have been modified to fit up to a 1″ diameter handlebar and also to allow room for brake and shift cables.
The top of the basket is 18″ wide x 13″ long and is 6″ deep.
We have begun to ship to our distributors so the 139WW Woody front basket will be available soon at a bicycle retailer near you.
Check out the full line of baskets at the Wald website.
Wald →
September 29th, 2009
Quiet Killers?
A new study out from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that hybrid electric vehicles are more likely to collide with pedestrians and bicyclists than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. At low speeds, when an electric motor is most likely to be engaged, the collision rate for hybrids was double.
I don’t doubt these findings; I’ve been startled more than a few times by hybrids that “snuck up” behind me in a parking lot.
From the study:
This study found that pedestrian and bicyclist crashes involving both HEVs and ICE vehicles commonly occurred on roadways, in zones with low speed limits, during daytime, and in clear weather, with higher incidence rates for HEVs when compared to ICE vehicles.
A variety of crash factors were examined to determine the relative incidence rates of HEVs versus ICE vehicles in a range of crash scenarios. For one group of scenarios, those in which a vehicle is slowing or stopping, backing up, or entering or leaving a parking space, a statistically significant effect was found due to engine type. The HEV was two times more likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash in these situations than was an ICE vehicle.
Read the full technical report [1.3mb PDF] →
September 29th, 2009
David Byrne in San Francisco Tonight
David Byrne hosts “Bike Advocacy and the Urban Environment”
With guests David Chiu, Leah Shahum and Mike Teitz
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2009Â | Â HERBST THEATRE, 8PM
David Byrne has been writing and performing music and directing video and film for more than 30 years. He was mastermind and lead singer and guitar player for the Talking Heads, the innovative rock band, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. What might not be as well known is Byrne’s longtime passion for biking and advocacy for bicycles in cities. He’s written a new book, Bicycle Diaries, an account of his urban bicycle odyssey through the streets of Istanbul, Buenos Aires, London, Berlin, Paris, Belgrade, Sydney, Manila, New York and San Francisco. Byrne has gotten around New York on a bike since the early 1980s, and often brings a folding bike on tour. Bicycle Diaries features beautiful photography, personal anecdotes from Byrne’s wide travels and a strong argument for the way a bicycle can change our view of the world and the city in which we live.
David Byrne will be joined on stage by David Chiu, the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Leah Shahum, the Director of the San Francisco Bike Coalition; and Mike Teitz, Director of the Economy Program, a Senior Fellow, and former Director of Research at the Public Policy Institute of California. Together they will address the intersection between bicycle advocacy, urban planning, civic responsibility, and the pleasure of seeing the world from the vantage point of a bicycle.
Tickets →
[via Cyclelicious]
September 29th, 2009
New Surly Website
September 29th, 2009
Xtracycle Gallery
Photo © theglife
I just discovered Xtracycle Gallery (where have I been?). They claim, “Xtracycle Gallery is the most comprehensive list of Xtracycle cargo bikes on the planet.” I have to agree. There you’ll find photos and descriptions of over 400 (and counting) Xtracycle conversions, with a few Surly Big Dummies thrown in for good measure. Lots of cool bikes there…
September 29th, 2009
“Stuff We Like”
If you’ve been visiting EcoVelo for a while you’ve seen our road tests and product reviews and recently you may have noticed a new category called “Stuff We Like”.
Road tests are simply bike reviews under a different name. They usually involve an extended period living with a bike (2 weeks to 2 months or more) and include multiple photos and a detailed description and analysis of the bike.
Product reviews are in-depth looks at products other than bicycles (typically parts and accessories). Like road tests, they usually include multiple photos and a detailed description and analysis of the product.
Somewhere along the way we realized there was a need for a third type of “review”. Something less formal, a sort of, “Hey, we like this product and you might too. Check it out sometime.” To meet this desire/need, we created a new category and called it “Stuff We Like”.
These new mini-reviews won’t replace our full-fledged road tests and product reviews, but we’re hoping they’ll enhance what we’re already doing and provide another source of ideas and inspiration.
September 28th, 2009
More on Anti-cyclist Bias
There’s an excellent article over at BicycleLaw.com that delves into the intricacies of anti-cyclist bias within law enforcement. Here’s an excerpt:
Another manifestation of the anti-cyclist bias is when law enforcement refuses to enforce existing laws. Thus, in Chattanooga, police refused to enforce Tennessee’s 3 foot passing law when a motorist intentionally brushed a cyclist off the road, going so far as to arbitrarily dismiss an eyewitness corroboration of the violation because of a minor discrepancy in the two cyclists’ estimates of how far apart they were when the incident occurred.
It’s worth a read.
September 28th, 2009
Stuff We Like: Schwalbe Marathon Supreme Tires
The Marathon Supreme is Schwalbe’s top-of-the-line touring tire. It serves as an exceptional commuting tire as well. It’s extremely durable and flat-resistant, it’s relatively light and fast (37-622mm = 440 grams), it’s grippy in corners but rolls like crazy, it has a nice round profile, it has a supple feel and absorbs road shock better than many other “flat-proof” tires, and to top it off, it looks good. What’s not to like? Well, at $69.95 per tire it’s pricey! The fact is, you have to pay for all the tech that went into this tire, but if you can swallow the initial investment, you’ll love ‘em.
Schwalbe →
September 27th, 2009
Our Bike Trails
We were up early this morning and rode our bikes across town to a favorite café for coffee and pastries. From there we cut across town and stopped at the hardware store to pick up a few items. It was nothing remarkable at all, other than that it was remarkably enjoyable. We were once again struck by the fact that we never get tired of riding our bikes together, and that driving our car will never provide the same enjoyment. We were also thankful that approximately 25-30% of our route was on separated bike paths with nearly all of the remainder on marked bike lanes.
On the way home, we remembered that a new section of bike trail was recently opened, so we took a detour to check out the new path. It was worth the side trip. This new section ties together a network of trails on the east side of town with the downtown area and the Amtrak transit station; it’s one small piece of a larger plan to tie together a number of trails throughout the surrounding area. It’s a beautiful stretch of trail that follows a creek through a small canyon between housing developments. If the considerable amount of foot and bicycle traffic today was any indication, the trail is going to be a resounding success and well worth the effort and expense.
Our hometown of Roseville, CA is designated a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. The designation is awarded to communities with a record of promoting bicycling in five categories: education, engineering, enforcement, encouragement, and evaluation. Only communities with established records in two or more of the five categories receive awards. Since its inception in 2003, the League has given awards to 96 out of the 245 communities that applied.
Our city is by no means a bicycling nirvana, but we’re fortunate to have a knowledgeable and dedicated full-time Bikeway Planner in Mike Dour. Given the difficulties of the current economic conditions in California and the generally low priority bicycle facilities are given within most city budgets, Mike does a remarkable job: we have 83 miles of on-street bike lanes, 27 miles of off-street bike paths, and 49 bicycle lockers for long-term parking for employees and commuters, all in a city with a population of just over 100,000.
The following video is an outreach piece the City created to promote bike trails and bicycle use. You can also view a map of our local bicycling facilities here. There may be some cities that would benefit from looking at what’s being accomplished in Roseville.
September 27th, 2009
Gallery: Kevin’s Mongoose Tyax Comp Xtracycle
Kevin from Terracycle sent me these photos of his Free Radical conversion. The bike is a Mongoose Tyax Comp that he uses for commuting and everyday utility use. For winter riding he has a backup wheel set with studded tires. You can see photos of the bike before the conversion here. A few component details include Paul Sykes fenders and Terracycle accessory mounts for the bank of 4 headlights. Of particular note is the new TerraCycle Xtracycle idler kit (recently debuted at Interbike) using the Sport Idlers and mounts from Terracycle (last two photos).
September 26th, 2009
Stuff We Like: Silver Shifters
These are my favorite shifters. In my opinion they’re much nicer than Shimano bar-ends. They’re longer than the Shimano for better leverage, the ratchet is velvety smooth, and they have a subtle contour that lays nicely across the palm. Friction only. Nearly perfect.
September 25th, 2009
A.N.T. Eye Candy (Again)
Mike Flanigan at A.N.T. is one of my favorite custom builders. He just continues to churn out exceptionally functional, yet stunningly attractive bikes designed to be used for daily transportation. This one was his entry in the Shimano Alfine Design Challenge. Go ahead, it’s OK, drool away.
A.N.T. →
September 25th, 2009
Civia Bryant IGH Belt
As a follow-up to the post the other day on Civia’s new models for 2010, here’s an alternate photo of the Bryant, this one outfitted with an internal gear hub, belt drive, rack and fenders.
September 24th, 2009
Stuff We Like: Crane Brass Bell
Who doesn’t love a Japanese brass bell? This is the larger size from Crane that is plenty loud — 50% louder than the little brass bells that aren’t quite loud enough, and louder even than your typical “ding – ding” bells from your LBS. Every bike should have one.
September 24th, 2009
Jango Flik
The Flik is a new folding bike from Jango for 2010. From the Press release:
The new Jango Flik is one of the easiest, quickest and most convenient folding bikes in the world! Flik is designed for people who commute to the city by car or public transportation and want a stylish compact folder with the handling sureness of a full-sized bicycle. The Flik is the perfect way to maximize mobility in the urban environment and an enjoyable way to move about the city.
The Flik’s innovative hydra-formed frame features the patented VertiLink folding mechanism which offers three useful utility positions: 1) Riding, 2) Shuttling and 3) Storage. Flik folds quickly and can transform from riding to shuttling in only 2 seconds which provides a maneuverable, compact profile when walking the bike to board a train, take the elevator or park right next to your office desk. It takes as little as 4 seconds to change from riding mode to storage mode when it’s time to place Flik inside your car trunk or in the home closet. Its rear rack, trunk bag and carry bag allow you to take the bike anywhere you like to travel.
As a member of the Jango MAB (Multi-Activity Bicycle) family, the Flik bike also comes with standard features that provide added comfort, safety and security. Jango bikes are equipped with the innovative Allay saddle with integrated air cushion for comfortable support; Ergon ergonomic grips for supreme hand comfort; dual-fit folding pedals for riding with casual shoes; front & rear LED lights for visibility; and a personal identity head badge and brake-lock for anti-theft security. And with Flik’s finely adjustable rear suspension, stable touring bike geometry and multi-speed gear ratios (50-tooth front chainring and 11-28 rear cassette) you can pedal to your destination in total comfort with minimum effort. The new Jango Flik is all about mobility. It simplifies moving from one place to the next with a completely user-friendly, integrated design. Commute, travel, enjoy – Flik is the way you go.
There are 5 models available. Specs as follows:
- Jango Flik T8
T handlebar, 8 speed twist shifter, rigid fork, V brake. Available in two colors: Jango Black or Jango White. MSRP: US$1199. - Jango Flik V8
V handlebar, 8 speed Shimano rapidfire shifter, rigid fork, V brake with V-Block lock, with front and rear light and bell. Available in Jango Black color. MSRP: US$1399. - Jango Flik V8i
V handlebar, 8 Speed Shimano Internal hub, rigid fork, V brake with V-Block lock, with front and rear light and bell. Available in Jango Black color. MSRP: US$1599. - Jango Flik T9
T handlebar, 9 speed Shimano rapidfire shifter, suspension fork, front Disc with Disc Block lock / Rear V brake, with front and rear light and bell, with CNC chainring. Available in Jango White color. MSRP: US$1499. - Jango Flik V
V handlebar, 9 speed Shimano rapidfire shifter, suspension fork, front Disc with Disc Block lock, Rear Disc brake, with front and rear light and bell, with CNC chainring, Rear Rack and Carrying Bag are included. Available in Jango White color. MSRP: US$1599.
This is a cool looking folder. I hope to have one for review later this year.
Jango →
Jango Flik Catalog [7mb PDF] →
September 24th, 2009
And Lest We Forget
And, of course, we have the Civia Hyland and Breezer Finesse, both of which we’ve reviewed here. Unlike the others shown below at lower price points, these two are spec’d with the full Alfine group, including hydraulic disc brakes, crankset, dyno hub, etc.
September 24th, 2009
Trek Soho
While we’re looking at Alfine-equipped city bikes, here’s the Trek Soho. Aluminum frame and fork, Alfine IGH with Gates belt drive, chain guard, painted fenders. List price $1149.99.
Trek →
September 24th, 2009
Bianchi Milano Alfine
For 2010 Bianchi steps into the Alfine IGH-equipped city bike ring with their Milano Alfine. Standard features include an Alfine IGH with RapidFire shifter, aluminum frame and fork, chain guard, fenders, kickstand, and V-brakes. List price is $799.
Bianchi →
