This little strap has turned out to be one of the most versatile and downright indispensable accessories a utility bicyclist could ask for. We like it so much that we keep a few stashed here-and-there on various bicycles, just for those times when we need one to solve some unanticipated problem. Here are a few ways in which an Irish Strap might be used in a pinch:

• To stabilize an overstuffed pannier (see above)
• To lash a laptop or u-lock to a rack
• As a belt
• As a pant cuff strap
• To stabilize a rando or porteur bag
• As a secondary camera strap
• To lash a basket or crate to a rack
• To compress a sleeping bag
• As a toe strap
• As a sling (yikes!)
• As a leash for a lost dog encountered on a ride
• As a tent stabilizer
• To hang a lantern
• Etc., etc., etc….

I have a drawer full of velcro straps that rarely get used because they have a limited range of adjustment and they’re difficult to draw tight. I also have a bunch of double loop straps with plastic hardware that are pretty much useless. In contrast, the Irish Strap has a clasp made of metal that absolutely does not slip; it’s plenty long* but adjustable all the way down to just a couple of inches; it’s wide enough, but not too wide, so it’s strong, yet it fits many of the loops and handles on bike bags, tents, and such; and finally, it’s made in Ireland and it looks terrific, which should count for something.

John’s Irish Strap at Rivendell →

Disclaimer: Rivendell is a sponsor of this website.

*The Irish Strap is available in either 19″ or 39″ lengths. The 39 incher is far more versatile and you can always wrap the excess strap back on itself if the length isn’t needed for a particular task.

Happy Friday All! I hope you had a wonderful commute this morning.

Image Source: Richard Masoner

We often discuss helmet use, infrastructure, and accident statistics, but hopefully, we all know bicycling is a relatively benign activity that doesn’t warrant so much focus on safety. Really all we need to do is get some training and treat the bicycle with the respect it deserves as a vehicle. Beyond that, I believe we should leave it to each person to decide where they ride, and how they outfit themselves for that ride.

That said, there is one safety infraction I want to bring up because I see it so often. Just today, I took a 5 block walk at lunchtime, and in that short distance I saw a half dozen bicyclists riding at speed, squarely within the door zone, on a busy one way street crowded with traffic. Two of these riders were professional bike messengers. An inattentive motorist exiting any of the many cars parked along the route could have resulted in serious injury to the bicyclists.

Without a doubt, riding in the door zone is the most common, but easily resolved, dangerous riding activity I encounter. If there’s not enough room to clear the doors of parked cars, we need to either take the lane, get up on the sidewalk, or find another route. Barreling down a busy road, squarely within the door zone, hoping and betting that no one opens a car door, is just asking for trouble.

In what is sure to be a controversial study recently co-published by the University of Manitoba and University of Ottawa, researchers concluded that mandatory helmet laws do not discourage bicycle use. The effects of provincial bicycle helmet legislation on helmet use and bicycle ridership in Canada looked at the association between the comprehensiveness of helmet legislation and both helmet use and bicycle ridership in 6 of 10 Canadian provinces. From the Abstract:

The findings go against conventional wisdom and are likely to cause quite a stir in the bicycle community. Prior studies have shown a correlation between compulsory helmet use and reduced bicycle ridership.

View the Abstract* →

*The full study is only available for a fee.

An article on bamboo bikes appeared yesterday in the Fashion & Style section of the New York Times. From the article:

Read the article →

One of the things that intrigues me about folding bikes is that they’re loaded with little details you only notice when you take a close, careful look. Take the horn of this Brompton saddle for example. See the little indents on the underside? Any guess at what they’re for (no Brommie owners, please)? It’s only one among many well thought out details that you’ll find on these, and other, folders.

Factoid: Did you know that each Brompton consists of some 1,200 parts, over three-quarters of which are unique to their bicycles? I don’t know if this is good or bad, but it makes me say a little prayer each day that they’ll stay in business for a very long time (they’re selling bikes as fast as they can make them, so no worries).