Bikes recycled as furniture

Waste not want not!

The folks at Bike Furniture Design can help with reusing your old bike parts in the creation of furniture. Had I known I would have sent my beloved, broken Raleigh Sport to be remade into something.

Someday I'll have a patio and someday it will have some sort of recycled bicycle furniture.

Traditional hats restyled as bike helmets

A wise lesson from the Czech Republic, even if it doesn't directly translate.

A reluctance to wearing racing-style bike helmets is apparent worldwide. A Czech design student named Ondrej Stanek imagined what a senior citizen would want to wear - he came up with a helmet which looks just like the traditional "radiovka" beret the senior was already wearing. I particularly how this idea preserves traditional societies and slows the "americanization" of the world. Viva la difference!

Read the article.

However, I'm not sure how helmets looking like traditional hats can translate to the US. A traditional hat in Boston is tricorn, but I don't see people cruising the streets of Boston that way - though I would really love to see that!

I bet Sheldon Brown would have worn a tricorn helmet if one had been made.

A Boston Bike Scene

Number of Dunkin Donuts shops in Boston = ~800
Number of Dunkin Donuts shops worldwide = ~5,000
Calories per hour casually riding a city bike = ~400
Calories in a Dunkin Donut = 280

I think anyone can do this math... the more you ride your bike the more you get to enjoy that which Boston has to offer!

Can you design a better bike rack?

photo by stacyrosenstock

Bike Rack Design is an opportunity to show the world how much its cyclists are valued. As such, the city of New York has graciously decided that their bike racks need an overhaul.

Google has done the same project my office has - scoured the earth for good indoor racks for employees and found nothing suitable.

Recently the two of them have paired with the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and Transportation Alternatives to create a bike rack design competition. The winners will be announced in October and their racks installed on the streets of New York (outdoor design) and in the Manhattan offices of Google (indoor design).

I cannot wait to see the results! In the meantime my office went with my preferred choice - hooks on the wall. In this way I don't have to worry about my colleague's poorly secured bike falling on my precious. I haven't heard about Boston offering any new or additional parking, but perhaps our new Bike Czar will help make that happen?

I have enjoyed the many bike rack photos at www.copenhagenize.com, particularly the rack with the integrated pump from Studio HiMom.

Buttercup Yellow Porteur Commuter Bike

Another inspiring bike from Velospace. I particularly like the fenders and rack which match the frame, and the integrated headlamps. I wouldn't enjoy those grips, but I can see that they're practical. It's a beautifully done bike!

Announcing New Cycling Cuffs

Chanel showed jeweled cycling ankle cuffs for spring, Brooks has lovely leather trouser cuffs; both are rather expensive. The standard issue in my Local Bike Shop is bright and notable in a road construction worker-type way.

What's a chic cyclist to do?

Start making her own cycle chic! I've started with some simple bicyce trouser cuffs/cyclist ankle clips but I'll just keep making whatever it is I wish I had but can't find in stores (and feel I can make!) so watch this space for more.

Additionally, I would really love to see your own cycling projects! It's very inspiring to see other people's work, don't you think?

Man's Urban Cycling Jacket?

My husband has asked me for an urban cycling rain-resistant jacket. Over our morning bike date we came up with the following wishlist:

1. Color: light enough to be seen in the city, but dark enough to resist bike grime
2. Length: short to avoid getting caught in wheels (Burburry trench coat is out)
3. Storage: possessing a pocket at the lower back, accessed with an invisible zipper
4. Reflectiveness: possessing French-cuff style reflective flaps at the wrist, reflective tape under the collar so it will reflect when turned-up, and a reflective flap which would come down over his backside, at car headlight level
5. Style: finally the jacket needs to do all this and look completely normal otherwise

What are we forgetting? Any other suggestions? Stay tuned for developments and photos.

Lance Armstrong to focus on bike-based commuting

Lance will shortly be opening a new bike store in Austin called Mellow Johnny's. The goal won't be selling racing bikes, though that would be logical. Rather he's looking to focus on the cultural side of cycling and get more people interested in a cycling-based lifestyle. A fun aspect of his store will be a counter where customers can sip coffee and ask questions as they watch bike mechanics at work. How fun would that be?

Lance said he'd rather encourage rookies to start riding than sell a faster bike to a veteran cyclist. I respect that, yeah Lance!


Read the article.

Brooks cycling trouser cuffs

It is hard to find an attractive cycling cuff. Everything looks like you should be constructing the road, not riding on it. The only nice cuff I've found is this Brooks leather cuff for $40. It is classy, but I'm afraid I'll lose it.

Capricorn - good looking hauler

Now I want to powdercoat a rack and bike to match! How very graceful it looks.

More photos on Velospace