Bicycle and Walking Commuting on the Rise

CommutingMore people are walking or bicycling to get to work, and this is in turn making people safer. These are two of the conclusions presented in the 2014 Benchmarking Report published by the Alliance for Biking & Walking. The report, published every two years since 2003, is one of the Alliance’s key initiatives.

The report is compiled from data from all 50 states, the 52 largest cities and, for the first time in this report, 17 midsize cities. It looks at the rate of walking and biking, accident and injury rates, the level of spending on biking and walking projects and issues, and the level of advocacy support in various regions and communities.

A key figure is the percentage of commuters who bike or walk to work, and although the number is still tiny, the report shows a steady increase: In the 2005-2006 report, the Alliance showed that nationally 0.4 percent of the population biked to work. In the latest report, the number is 0.6 percent. In large cities, the percentage biking to work has grown from 0.7 percent to 1 percent over the same period.

Alliance for Biking & Walking 2014 Alliance Benchmarking Report Official Website

Deluxe Storage

BikeCubeDeluxeIf you’re heading out on the bike there is always more stuff you need and less room to bring it. The Bike Cube Deluxe from Mountainsmith will let you carry the goods in style. It features a roll-up tool organizer, padded changing mat, a padded eye-wear pocket, specific spots for helmet, shoes and more. This ensures that you don’t leave that important “something” behind. It works as a standalone piece or in conjunction with our Modular Hauler Systems, so you can arrive at the next event in style.

Mountainsmith Bike Cube Deluxe Official Website

Biodegrading in Memphis

Zeal-MemphisWhile you can be walking in Memphis, you can know that the new Zeal Optics’ Memphis sunglasses won’t last forever. These are part of the company’s Crafted series of biodegradable sunglasses, and are made of acetate based on Italian-grown cotton.

“Taking its hints from the retro classics, Memphis stands as a piece that transitions from suit and tie to an afternoon on the boat and is wearable by all,” said Zeal director of marketing Joe Prebich. “Subtle eye shape with a flat bridge on the brow of the glass allows for a closer, more comfortable fit. Lightweight sculpted temples help to increase comfort as well, for a long-term wearable sunglass.”

The Crafted Collection includes the Memphis, Ace, Fleetwood and Dakota models, and all are biodegradable, designed in Colorado and made in Italy.

Zeal Optics Official Website

Antigua Drives Into Spring

AntiguaAfter the long winter it might be good to put away the coat and put on a pair of skorts or shorts and hit the green. Antigua has new offers in its Antigua Spring 2014 Women’s Golf Collection.
“Women are going to love these new skorts and shorts,” says Ron McPherson, president and CEO of Antigua. “The Unity, Classic and Cinch bring a variety of color, style and fabrics to our spring line. We’re very excited about them, as are our customers. In fact, our women’s business is up 40 percent this year. This new trio of products help make us a strong contender in complete outfits and women’s bottoms, and not just in women’s tops.” Continue reading Antigua Drives Into Spring

Route 66 Shows Its Curves

Caminade-Route-66The old Historic Route 66 isn’t exactly a straight shot from Chicago to San Monica. It is known for how it winds its way through eight states and has many a curve along the way. Maybe that’s why French steel mountain bike maker Caminade has named its new road bike the Route 66. It features plenty of curves that can surely handle the curves in the road.

Caminade Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Curvy Caminade Route 66 frameset to be shipped]

Rocket Powered

Rocket-TorchWhen heading out into the wilds less can be more as the new Rocket Torch from Pyle Audio proves. This sleek cylinder is both a multi-functional speaker and flashlight equipped. It is equipped with Bluetooth technology, FM radio, mini SD card slot and AUX-IN jack. It is water resistant yet weighs less than a pound, while the Bluetooth technology allows users to connect to any iOS, Android or PC device and listen to music and phone calls up to a distance of 32 feet.

It also offers a bright, energy efficient LED flashlight that can be clipped to a backpack or even a bike for traveling at night. This is one rocket that will light the way and rock out the tunes.

Pyle Audio Official Website

Silca Gets Inflated

SilcaSilca is launching its first new product in the United States – a CO2 inflator and matching cartridges. These are the first new products from the historic Italian brand as it was reborn in the United States last year. These new inflators use a smaller, lighter spring than other brands, and makes them truly pocket sized.

The new U.S.-made EOLO III inflator is shipped with two Austrian-made 16 gram cartridges that are reportedly made to higher standards than most cartridges sold in the bike market. The higher standard requires that each 16 gram cartridge contains between 15 1/2 and 16 grams of gas. The inflators also feature rubber protectors to prevent the threads from being damaged inside saddle packs or elsewhere.

Silca Official Website

Reflecting on a Rope

Nite-IzeAfter dark guy lines, tents and other stuff around the campsite can be hard to see, but the Nite Ize Reflective Rope can offer some illumination without the need of batteries or other power. This 50-foot green rope features embedded reflective strips that light up when hit by light. You’ll still need a flashlight to see the rope, but the reflective strips ensure that you can’t miss the rope.

Nite Ize Official Website

Panasonic Gets Sporty

Panasonic-HS34Panasonic has introduced its new earbud-style headphones that can handle your workout. The Panasonic HS34 Sport Clip Headphones are designed with an ear-clip style with an adjustable hanger size for individual fit. These offer a lightweight design and water and sweat resistance, which make these headphones ideal for joggers, runners or anyone who enjoys listening to music while exercising or outdoors. The flexible ear hanger is both durable and comfortable and resists popping off the ear if the headphone cord is accidentally pulled.

The Panasonic RP-HS34 Headphones are available in black, yellow, red, purple, blue, and white, and are just about $20.

Panasonic HS34 Sport Clip Headphones Official Website

Down and Dirty

RasputitsaSpring is the time that the snows melt and the roads turn to… mud. In Russia there is even a name for this condition. It is the Rasputitsa, the semi-annual time when the countryside is just a muddy mess. The Rasputitsa is also the name of this weekend’s 47 mile gravel road race through northern Vermont.

Each year in the Rasputitsa Spring Classic the race travels through Newport, Coventry, Irasburg, North Troy, Westfield, Jay, and Newport Center before ending on Main Street in Newport, Vermont. The Rasputitsa Spring Classic and sister race, Dirty 40 (scheduled for August 30th) will raise money for the Halo Foundation which helps Orleans County residents struggling with cancer costs. The two events are targeted to raise over $15,000 made available to the Halo Foundation in September.

The race departs Main Street, Newport at 9 AM on April 19th. Finishers are first expected at 11:30 on Main Street, Newport. Main Street will also serve as the location of the Apres-Velo Party with live music by Evansville Transit Authority, Lion Bastards, and The Lynguistic Civilians. Food and drinks will be available on-site. Podium awards are scheduled for 2 PM.

It is a dirty race but someone has to do it.

Rasputitsa Spring Classic Official Website

The DURT Bike

DURTThe truth about wood is that it hasn’t really changed much in the last few eons, and yet it continues to be a material of choice for many products. We’ve seen many bicycles made of wood, but Connor Wood Bicycles of Denver, Colorado is doing something a little different.

The company is using Kevlar to reinforce the wood. Chris Connor, owner of the company, recently showed off his “DURT” Bike – which uses sections of steam-bent, locally-sourced reclaimed wood that is reinforced with Kevlar.

The result is a beautiful looking bike that is strong and durable. It is so much like art that some might not want to risk getting the DURT dirty. And for those who question whether wood can handle the woods, Connor likes to point out that the DURT survived the Leadville 100 Race. Video after the jump

GoPro Mounts Up Again

GoProGoPro has introduced a number of new mounts for its rugged action cameras that offer users even more flexibility in capturing the magic of that special moment. The new stealth Blackout Housing($49.99) promises to delivers the ultimate in low profile shooting. It features a non-reflective black matte finish and LCD concealment stickers to ensure low visibility and eliminate light reflections. The new housing is perfect for the sportsman, tactical, professional or any user who wants a covert look for their HERO3+ or HERO3.

Two additional accessories, Gooseneck and The Frame, are also designed for maximum ease of use and greater versatility in shooting. The Gooseneck ($19.99) offers a seven-link flex neck along with a quick-release base plate for capturing hard to reach shots around corners or underneath objects; while the reengineered Frame ($39.99) promises to be the smallest, lightest way to mount the HERO3+ and HERO3 camera. The Frame features full-time access to all camera ports for convenient data offload, live-feed video and charging, an integrated latch to make securing and removing the camera quicker and easier, and a compact mounting design that allows for optimal audio recording. Video after the jump

Tripping Up

Trips-for-KidsRaleigh Bicycles will be the new Trips for Kids International (TFK) North American program sponsor and will provide a fleet of bikes to emerging TFK chapters. TFK’s programs give underserved youth the opportunity to experience mountain biking while learning valuable life skills and an appreciation of the outdoors. The 50 new bikes donated by Raleigh will enable newly formed TFK regional chapters across North America to provide mountain bike outings for low income, at-risk youth in their communities.

“We created the Trips for Kids program model to help individual entrepreneurs, established community organizations, cycling clubs and other organizations streamline the formation of their own regional chapters,” said TFK Executive Director Marilyn Price. “A safe bike fleet is a critical and often costly component of forming a chapter. Thanks to Raleigh we can provide new bicycles as part of the start-up services we offer.”

Trips for Kids Official Website