Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bikes. Show all posts

Sunday, January 16, 2011

We Like to Bike...Even More Now.

Thank you TreeHugger (which should be read regularly) for this news. Let's do this everywhere. We'll have to sooner or later...why not sooner?: 

London's Bike Superhighways Bring 70% Increase in Cycling

by Brian Merchant, Brooklyn, New York  on 01.14.11
london-bike-superhighway.jpg
Image: Rudi
In other words, London's bike superhighways are incredibly successful, as the front-page GOOD story remarks. According to the findings in study by Transport for London, there were 70% more cyclists out on the streets of London in October of 2010 than there were the previous year.
GOOD has more:
that means that the number of bikers on the streets pre-superhighways was 70 percent lower than it is now that the superhighways have been installed. That's some effective bike promotion, if I've ever seen it ... Will other cities see this information and start doing more for bike lane planning than simply laying them on the side of the street?
That's right -- bike use everywhere jumped, not just on the superhighways. The safe, elegant lanes evidently inspired more folks to dust off their old ten-speeds and hit the roads.
It should also be pointed out that the spike in cycling also coincides with London's bike-share program, which we've written about at length here on TreeHugger.
This development is fantastic -- people want to ride bikes in cities. It's cheap, efficient, and fun. But most of the time, it's terrifying. It's why I don't ride a bike in New York -- no way I'm heading into Manhattan traffic during rush hour. New York is also making strides in its bike lanes, too, however. If they work as well as London's, that's all it will take -- count me in.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Try a Trike



http://greenspeed.org/




http://www.terracycle.com/CargoMonster.htm

Human Powered Machines

Eugene, Oregon



Pedaling to the Future

Bicycling on Three Wheels — Transportation of the Future?

pm154_150.jpgIn Peak Moment’s very first field production, bicycle enthusiast Galen Shumacher takes us for a spin on a three-wheeled “tadpole.” This human-powered vehicle (HPV), built for competition by the Chico State University HPV club, has two wheels in front and a single in back. Janaia’s unrehearsed ride shows that it’s easy to learn, comfortable to ride, stable, highly maneuverable, and fun! Galen also shows us the improved model being built for the upcoming competition. (P.S. they won!)


Wednesday, March 11, 2009

MORE Work Bikes!

From Yuba Bikes the Mundo cargo bike: Yuba was launched in 2006 to build and provide affordable mobility solutions with a particular emphasis on distributing them to those most in need. The founders of Yuba came together to advance economic and social development, to promote self-reliance, and to emphasize better environmental awareness and lifestyle choices – all through the use of bicycles. Because bicycles are one of the most energy efficient, financially affordable, mechanically reliable, and environmentally friendly vehicles, we believe that a more bike-centric world makes for a better world, a more connected world.
Designed for maximum bicycle mobility, the all-terrain Mundo offers an affordable and sustainable alternative for:

cargo bicycle environmentally friendly transportation
commuter bicycle economic viability
utility cycle unsurpassed cargo capacity
utility bicycles the ability to carry passengers
carry cargo bikes affordable mobility
Check out their cargo bike photo album.

 See Worldbike for "open-source" bicycle designs: "Worldbike is an international network of bicycle designers and industry leaders, and international development professionals, working together to provide transportation solutions and create income-generating opportunities for the world’s poor. All across the developing world, people use bicycles the way we use pickup trucks and school buses. However, the bicycles sold in developing countries are those designed for recreation and are ill-suited to carrying loads. Worldbike designs higher-strength, longer-wheelbase bicycles with integrated cargo capacity. We conduct trial markets to determine the ideal price levels, work with the bike industry to get the best quality parts and frames at the lowest cost, and partner with international development organizations like Kickstart International to sell and distribute the bicycles..."


"The bicycle is the most efficient transportation device yet invented. Trouble is, modern bicycle design has been far more influenced by the needs of racers than by the needs of everyday riders like you. The result: your bike is compact, light, and strong, but it doesn’t have a good place to carry a week’s groceries, waterproof storage capacity, or a good seat for a passenger. Xtracycle solves these problems. Imagine your favorite bike with the rear wheel stretched out behind the seat, a big, stable platform for a load or a passenger, and elegant saddlebags on either side that are expandable when you need them and are cleanly out of the way when you don’t. Best of all, your bike is still lightweight and fast, and because the load is centered between your two wheels, the whole package handles with ease. Suddenly you have much less need or desire to drive around town for your errands. Picture this: riding breezily unloaded to your favorite grocery store, coasting reliably around corners; arriving ahead of traffic; parking at the rack directly in front of the entrance; shopping and easily loading your four bags of groceries; then pedaling home, care-free on a bike that handles just as swiftly now that it’s loaded."
WorkCycles: Transport bike, cargo trike & handmade Dutch city bike specialist
[These are beautiful and VERY functional bikes. Visit their site for a view of many other styles-KJ]

WorkCycles is the specialist in quality utility bicycles for commercial, family and personal use. We develop our own models and also sell bikes from Azor, Bakfiets.nl, De Redding, Monark, Nijland, Onderwater and others. WorkCycles bicycles are known for their timeless design, top quality and attention to detail. Whether you need a bike to safely carry your children, a classic Dutch city bike or tough industrial bikes we we've got it.
OMG! It carries 12 kids!
Look into The International Bicycle Fund especially their page on (work bikes): A non-governmental, nonprofit, advocacy organization, providing information and resources promoting sustainable transport and international understanding to make this planet a healthier and happier place to live. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and bicycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.

Bicycle Taxis are becoming popular in NY and other cities:

BicyTaxi NYC Pedicabs – Word Spreads Fast!

BicyTaxi has fast become a common sight in many environmentally-conscious cities worldwide. Because our cities are becoming increasingly crowded and busy, we must consider new and innovative concepts in order to maintain, or even improve, the quality of life for residents. Bicytaxi is the ideal solution to these problems as it ecologically and efficiently reduces urban emissions and therefore pollution. Urban transportation is enhanced through a flexible and reliable mobility system. BicyTaxi pedicabs which are similar to a rickshaw or riksha, however, are not only excellent means of transport for urban areas but also excel at events. They may further be used as a shuttle service and are, of course, one of the best and most effective advertising media in the outdoor sector.
In the UK look for pedi-cabs at Cycles Maximus Ltd
"We set out to build a high capacity tricycle that provides a practical, environmentally friendly solution to your local transport needs. The modular construction offers a wide choice of applications, pioneering design and craftsmanship combine to provide a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine."


Cyclestone Pedicabs, Inc. has been doing business with pedicab since 2004. Our main partners company(Starbike Ltd.) doing business with cycles since 1988. We can offer all kind of pedicab, three cycles and bike configurations to the local and worldwide wholesaler and retail customers. Cyclestone Pedicabs goals; well quality, fast service, enjoyable pedicab & bike and lower price for all kind of our products.

(France)






In Germany:





In India:
http://nariphaltan.virtualave.net/logo4.jpgPresent activities are in sustainable transport, lighting , environment pollution abatement, handicapped rickshaw, etc.
Improved pedal rickshaw (IMPRA) Improved pedal rickshaw (IMPRA)




http://organicengines.com/wp-content/themes/organic/header.png (In Florida)
http://organicengines.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/whole_quarter.jpg

http://www.pedicab.com/images/main-street-pedicabs-header.jpg
(In Colorado)




And, it turns out, many more. See the complete list at
http://www.ibike.org/economics/pedicab-manufacturers.htm