Be a friend of BS
Yuba Mundo Hauls It
August 31, 2009
It is not everyday I carry loads of stuff on my bike. This stems from the fact that I previously had no way to do so, and the fact that I do not have that much to haul around. That being said I did go for a recycling run on my new Yuba Mundo. The load was 4 feet wide and 5 feet off the ground, which is by far the most stuff I have ever carried on a bike.
This was just the first of many rides on the YUba Mundo. You can expect a full review in the coming weeks.
IOC says nope to 2012 expansion
August 27, 2009
Every mans hopes of seeing Victoria Pendleton race in more than one track event at the 2012 Olympics has been crushed. The IOC annouced Tuesday that the 3 women's events would not be expanded to match the men's seven events.
In all serious this is a huge disappointment for any cycling fan, and especially those in the UK who will not be able to watch Victoria bring home some more medals when London hosts the games in 2012.
Bike Friendly?
August 26, 2009
The City of Saskatoon has, over the the last decade, talked a lot about cycling, and how they are going to improve it. First was the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan. This 24 page document came out in 2002 and outlined both the city's "vision" as well as the "vision" of the Integrated Transportation Policy Study. There where points made that cycling routes needed to be improved. This involved developing a "cycling network" throughout the city, that would create "direct, on road cycling routes". That bicycle parking should be convenient, secure and clearly designated, and even part of it should be covered or inside. All in all it seemed like the best thing I had heard about in cycling in a long time.
The years passed, and for all intents and purposes the plan never took effect. Sure there were excuses that involved funding and the fact that the person involved with coordinating this was new and was not sure what to even do. Seven years later, now in 2009, the City decided to form a Cycling Advisory Group. This would take eight citizens and get their opinions on cycling, and use that to transform Saskatoon into a bicycle friendly place. Their intentions seemed very honourable. The guiding principles that they set out seemed genuine and concerned. I especially liked the one that said "every street is a cycling street".
Now, late 2009, Saskatoon has released a pamphlet entitled "Downtown Saskatoon is Bicycle Friendly". I am not sure if this is a title or more of a statement of reassurance. With years of work on improving cyclng in Saskatoon, the implementation has finally begun. They have created the "sharrow". Yes all that work and a stencil of a bicycle with 2 arrows above it is what has been created. Now, with the Advisory commitee and the guiding principle that "every street is a cycling street" I would have expected that these Share the lane arrows would be in the centre of every road way across the city, or at least downtown. They are downtown but for the most part they are not in the centre of the road way, they are far from it.
The city has decided based on the width of the lane where the "sharrow" is placed. On a road way that is narrow, the "sharrow" is placed in the centre of the lane. This is where a cyclist should be located. If the street does not meet these requirements the cyclist and the sharrow is pushed off to the side, between either parked cars and traffic ,or the curb lane and traffic. This now requires a cyclist to watch for doors opening from parked cars as well as cars on the left passing very closely. The biggest problem however may be that these "sharrow" only make it into the right hand lane. Are cyclist no longer able to make left hand turns? When a cyclist is going straight and the car on its left is making a righ hand turn an accident is waiting to happen.
I really feel the City of Saskatoon missed the mark with this one. Painting a few lines here and a few "sharrows" there in no way promotes cycling, nor does it benefit cyclists. These markings creat dangerous cycling, and are aimed to make car drivers feel superior. Thanks but no thanks.
And Just In Time For Cross Season...
August 24, 2009
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Felt Bicycles has a voluntary recall of about 1450 2007/2008 F1X Cyclocross bicycles.
The bicycle?s fork steerer tube can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries. There have been six reports of these forks breaking with minor injuries reported in two of the incidents.
The recall includes all 2007/2008 Felt F1X Cyclocross Bicycles. These bicycles are available in Semi-Matte Black and have aluminum frames with carbon fiber forks with aluminum steerer tubes.
Bicycle specialty stores nationwide sold the 2007/2008 Felt F1X Cyclocross between July 2006 and April 2009 for between $1,449.00 and $1,499.00. They were manufactured in Taiwan.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact their local Felt Bicycles dealer to receive a free inspection and repair.
For additional information, call Felt Bicycles toll-free at (866) 433-5887 or (866) 4-FELT-US, or visit the company web site at www.feltbicycles.com
Axiom Monsoon Pannier Bag
August 21, 2009
I am lucky to live in a place where monsoons are non-existent, but we do have a good down pour on occasion. I had been looking for a smaller front pannier bag for my city/touring bike and the Axiom Monsoon seemed to fit the bill, so I thought I would try them out and put them through their paces.
Read the full review >>
I <3 BFF
August 21, 2009
This weekend sees the Bicycle Film Festival hit Toronto with full force, as it makes it's way across the world this summer. To kick off the Toronto weekend, Do Make Say Think performed last night and things get going tonight with an Art Bike party, followed by an after party. Wow, that is a lot of partying!
So what is BFF all about?
"In 2001, Brendt Barbur, Founder and Director, was compelled to start the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. Instead of being deterred by this experience, it inspired him to create a festival that celebrates the bicycle through music, art, and film. Now in its ninth year the festival is held in 39 cities worldwide. 250,000 people are expected to attend this year. "
"The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle in all forms and styles. If you can name it - Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo, Road Cycling, Mountain Biking Recumbents - we've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance?"
If you love you bike and you are in the T dot, go check it out. BFF Toronto
Performance
August 19, 2009
I should not even say anything about this, I will let MC SpandX use his own words.
Lone Star Hit and Run
August 18, 2009
59-year-old Ronnie Monroe Keller of Grande Praire, Texas was killed on Saturday night after what appears to be a bizarre hit and run. Ronnie, who was mentally dissabled, was riding his bicycle home when the accident occured. It appears that Vincent Paul Riojas, 27, hit Ronnie and continued to drive home. Vincent Paul Riojas concerned mother called police after seeing blood on her son and then found the victim. Ronnie had apparently been hit, flown over the car and at some point ended up on the inside of the car, he was found in the back seat floor boards.
This seems like such a strange story, only in Texas.
Graham Watson's Tour De France Travel Guide
August 17, 2009
As the Tour De France came to an end last month, I once again found myself wanting to be there. This time it was not the thought of being a road racer, but of being one of those crazy fans on the mountain stages. I wanted to chase after the riders, yelling at them as they zoomed by me. This is where Graham Watson's Tour De France Travel Guide come is. Watson gives you his insites into the Tour from his 31 years of covering it as a photographer.
Read the full review >>
Retire Your Ride
August 14, 2009
So the Canadian government wants you to Retire Your Ride. No, not your bike, your car. Cars produced in 1995 or earlier produce 19 times more air pollution than a 2004 or newer car. So you may be thinking what does this have to do with bikes? Well here it is. Recycle you old car and the Canadian government will give you up to $490 towards the purchase of a new commuter bike. The deal just gets better is you live in certain areas as well. In the Lower Mainland of B.C. you can get up to $1200 for the purchase of a commuter or electric bike.
Hats off to the government for trying to get cars off the road and more bicycles on it!
You can check out all the details at Retire Your RIde
Boston Bicycle Sharing
August 13, 2009
It looks like the popular bicycle sharing system that has recently come to Montreal may be on it's way to Boston. There is talk of 2500 bikes to start and an expansion to 5000 later. This would make it the largest system in the United States, far surpassing the 100 bikes in Washington D.C. that currently ranks as the largest.
The system would essentially allow users to rent bicycles at one of 290 locations and drop it off at another.
Burley Bike Trailers Recalled
August 12, 2009
Health Canada has announced a recall of selected Burley bicycle trailers. The affected models have the possibility of the wheel seperating from the axle.
The affected trailers are listed below:
- The D'lite ST, in Denim and Sun colours. It is identified by UPC number 948201 840840004734 and the first four digits of its serial number are D948.
- The D'lite ST, in Red and Tan colours. It is identified by UPC number 948203 840840004765 and the first four digits of its serial number are D948.
- The Solo ST in Denim and Sun colours. It is identified by UPC number 939201 840840004789 and the first four digits of its serial number are D939.
- The Solo ST in Red and Tan colours. It is identified by UPC number 939203 840840004802 and the first four digits of its serial number are D939.
You can call Burley at 1-800-311-5294 for more information.
Vancouver's Burrard Bridge Bike Lane
August 11, 2009
It has now been a couple of weeks since the start of the Burrard Bridge Lane Reallocation Trial. This sees a dedicated lane for cyclists heading South and a dedicated pathway for cyclist heading North.
So far the stats are looking good in many ways. Cyclist on the bridge have increased by 30%, automobile traffic has decreased slightly, and on the nearest alternative bridge, traffic has the same.
Now the lane is only a trial, but hopefully with the positive outcome so far it will become a permenant fixture in Vancouver.
Bern Berkeley Helmet
August 10, 2009
Bern claims that at 12oz, their low profile Berkeley helmet is the lightest available that is made specifically for women. Feeling just a little light-headed, I set out to test it out!
Read the full review >>
Bambulance
August 6, 2009
They say necessity is the mother of invention. And it seems that out of necessity Bambulance has been formed. So what exactly is Bambulance? It is bicycle/ambulance, bamboo/steel, medical/social....take that and more, with the efforts of The Design For Development Society (DFD) a Vancouver-based, registered Canadian charity, and you have one creative and powerful tool for healthcare.
The Bambulance project will:
Improve access to health services for HIV/AIDS patients and their communities through the production of a safe, secure and cost effective medical transport device for use in Kenya.
Introduce bamboo as an alternative, affordable and structurally viable manufacturing material.
Advocate for men, women and children affected by HIV and AIDS by providing income generating and skills building opportunities.
Promote the use of the design process to address issues in underserved communities by involving design students, designers, local partners and the communities themselves in the entire project cycle.
The Design For Development Society does what it does through dontaions, and to me seems like a pretty darn good thing to make a donation to. So here is where you do that at: Bambulance Donation