Cycling | Evolving Consumer

New York’s Finest Use the Bike Lanes

New York’s finest – as in the NYPD – are apparently putting the city’s robust bike lane infrastructure to good use. However, the police aren’t riding on the bike lanes. They are using the bike lanes for parking. We previously witnessed this first hand for a few years, but the problem has grown so big that someone has launched a Thumblr blog that tracks it.

The website Cops in the Bike Lanes, noted: Rules of the City of New York, § 4-08 (e)(9): “It is against the law to park, stand or stop within or otherwise obstruct bike lanes.”

To serve and protect indeed!

Cops in the Bike Lanes Official Website

On the Monkey Bars

Cargo bikes offer a good way to carry some stuff, but now Yuba Bikes has devised a way of carrying even more precious cargo – namely the tots.

The company sees these as the “new station wagon,” and has added the “Monkey Bars” – compatible with the Yuba Mundo V4 model – as way to bring along up to three younger kids. The bars fully wrap around the young riders and it is compatible with the Peanut Shell baby seat, so it can be used from infants to children of up to seven years of age. Video after the jump

Next Generation Console

Bike2Power has introduced its new BikeConsole iPhone 5C Smart Mount, Special Edition. That’s a mouthful, and this handlebar mount for the iPhone, which is now available in five colors, offers waterproof and shockproof protection for the handset. It features SoundBoost microvent sealing technology for enhanced speakers and mic sound.

The BikeConsole Smart Mount also offers a formfitting, silicon-lined shockproof case with an in-bracket safety lock and double-hinged closure design. It is designed to provide the user with full phone functionality from within the case, while the BikeConsole even offers an antiglare screen membrane that perfect for a bike ride on a sunny day. Continue reading Next Generation Console

Getting Personal… Wheels

Many parts of a bike can be truly customized, but at a cost. While custom-built wheels have been rolling for a while, the German high-end wheelmaker Lightweight is now offering a limited edition that can be truly personalized as well as customized.

Whatever users would like to see laser engraved on the rims can be done. The white text will be applied in capital letters on the rims, and the shorter the text the larger the font! The program applies to the company’s Meilenstein or Fernweg wheel models. Orders must go through an authorized Lightweight dealer, and there is no additional charge for the personalization service.

The personalization program runs through Nov. 22, with delivery by Christmas guaranteed.

Lightweight Identity Official Website

Hand Warmer

Snakes don’t like cold weather, but the 45NRTH Cobrafists will be just the thing when the weather falls. These specialized gloves mount over the handlebars, and feature windproof construction with zippered vents at the top and bottom to help regulate temperature and ensure that the digits don’t get too warm. We wouldn’t think warm hands in winter would be a problem but these might just do it.

There are even inner pockets for stashing some food or gear and putting it truly within reach.

45NRTH Official Website

Prison Bound – or Not

You might look prison bound with the SZ-55 Selvage Prison Denim Jacket, but these vintage pieces are now ready for the daily commute. Reportedly made in 1955 as an everyday uniforms for those who fought the law (and the law one) these are now available from Makers Riders, and will keep you warm while looking cool on the ride to work.

Makers Riders SZ-55 Selvage Prison Denim Jacket

Super (LOCK)8

There are plenty of bike trackers on the market and a lot of bicycle locks. The LOCK8 is designed as the first “smart bike lock” and acts as both a lock and tracker should the lock part be compromised. Now being developed via a Kickstarter project, the LOCK8 is a keyless system that relies on the smartphone to do the unlocking, while integrated GPS can transmit the location of the bike.

The system features a number of systems, so that if a bike is stolen the geolocator kicks in, while the smart cable will set off an alarm and send a push notification should it be cut. A gyro accelerometer will also send the push notification and do the alarm thing should someone try to cut the LOCK8 or otherwise remove it.

The idea here is that you can’t stand around and watch your bike all day, so the LOCK8 will do it for you. Video after the jump

BASF Looks to Ride Like its 1865

The High Wheel Bicycle – also known as the Penny-farthing – was a popular bicycle about 150 years ago. Could you imagine what those unique bikes might have looked like had the designers had access to today’s advanced materials?

We really never did, but BASF did and they’ve created a 21st take on the 19th century bicycle. Why? We’re not certain but it does look interesting. Video after the jump

Kargo and Go

When on a bike there is only so much you can carry. Sure there are plenty of saddle bags and even packs you can carry but for those of us who like a streamlined and minimalist look, it means stuffing too much stuff in jersey pockets.

Now you can stuff tire irons and patch kit in a second water bottle, but that can leave you somewhat thirsty. A better option is the Kargo Cage from King Cage, which features a stainless steel cage and a ballistic nylon bag that can be stashed behind the water bottle. This is enough to hold a tube, CO2 cartridges and tire irons – just enough stuff to ensure that you aren’t walking home.

King Cage Official Website

Host Cities Announced for 2014 USA Pro Challenge

The Colorado-based USA Pro Challenge remains one of the most prestigious races in the professional cycling season, which is impressive given that it only launched three years ago. This week the organizers announced that there will be several new additions including the first-ever mountaintop finish.

What else marks the race for 2014 is that the organizers are asking fans to vote on the final stage!

After overwhelming support in 2013, the race is heading back to Aspen for the overall start of the 2014 edition, where elite professional cyclists from around the world will be put to the ultimate test in America’s most difficult cycling race. The host cities and stages of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge include:
• Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 18 – Aspen Circuit Race
• Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte
• Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
• Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
• Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge
• Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
• Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 24 – ???

Fans will be able to help shape the race by logging on to www.prochallenge.com/PickStage7 and giving their opinion on four options for Stage 7, including:
1. Denver Circuit Race similar to the final stage of the 2013 race
2. Start in Golden (2012 Stage 6 start city) and finish in Denver
3. Start in Boulder (2012 Stage 6 finish city) and finish in Denver
4. Start in Boulder and end in Golden

What’s Your Vote For Stage 7 Official Website
Press Release: Host Cities Announced for 2014 USA Pro Challenge

Weekend Reading List (11.02.2013): Bike Sales Up, Urban Rolls Outdoors, Aim High, Food to Run

Bike Sales Up

From BikeRadar: Bikes outsold cars in UK and Europe in 2012…
New figures suggest bikes are selling faster than cars across most of Europe, despite another set of data saying bikes sales are declining as well. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (11.02.2013): Bike Sales Up, Urban Rolls Outdoors, Aim High, Food to Run

GoBe Brings the Light

The GoBe light from Light & Motion could be the “go to” light for all your outdoor needs. This factory sealed rechargeable flashlight can be used up to 120 meters underwater, but will also shine the way on the hiking or biking trail.

It features interchangeable light heads that allow users to choose the best light for their activity, whether it’s white, red, blue, flood or spot. The GoBe also combines the design features of Light & Motion’s popular Sola scuba dive lights with the size and convenience of the company’s commuter bike lights.

There are six activity-specific base models, with the GoBe featuring a 500-lumen Spot Beam, a 500-lumen Search Beam, a 500-lumen NightSea Beam or in a special Pink Body with 500-lumen Spot Beam light-head edition. The GoBe+ also offers a 700-lumen Wide Beam or Spot Beam light head.

The light weighs just 160 grams and comes with underwater photography mounts as well as a versatile handlebar mount. It also includes a battery life indicator, and it can be charged with USB cable. The GoBe offers three power levels, SOS mode, and can run up to 24 hours on a single charge.

Users can customize the light according to their use with interchangeable light heads, sold separately. The GoBe will begin shipping this month.

Light & Motion GoBe Official Website

California Biking

It is sometimes said as goes California so goes the country.For cycling advocacy this could mean women leading the way to change, as next week the California Bicycle Coalitions California by Bike Summit will be held in Oakland to highlight the important role of women in mainstreaming the bike, not only in California but across the nation. This includes the creation of the Women on Bikes California initiative. Women key to the nation’s and California’s growth in bike friendliness will participate in the summit including:

Carolyn Szczepanski, Director of Communications and founder of Women Bike program at the League of American Bicyclists

Alexis Lantz, Chair of the Board of the California Bicycle Coalition

Renee Rivera, Executive Director of the East Bay Bicycle Coalition

Leah Shahum, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

California By Bike Summit Official Website