I Want a Cargo Bike

Cargo bikes are being used more and more in the U.S. For many decades a mainstay of transport and hauling in many other parts of the world, from Danish Postal Delivery to food vendors in Mexico, the working bike or cargo bike has a much thinner history in the U.S. In recent years, however, the numbers of cargo bike users and bikes has grown tremendously. The variety of cargo bikes one might see range from DIY cargo bikes created in garages, to European imports of professional work bikes, to customized solutions like the Xtracycle, to factory models designed specifically for the cargo bike enthusiast: Kona Ute, the Yuba Mundo, and Madsen Cycles.

There are many ways to go with cargo bikes and I've lately been leaning towards the newly improved Yuba Mundo, although I haven't been able to ride one yet. If you buy a cargo bike you are going to spend some money, from $600 to $3000 or more. These bikes are built to last and involve more materials. Ideally, for me, I'm aiming to be able to haul a full load of groceries for Cathy and I, with Cathy pitching in with her non-cargo bike. And, then, there are bike trailers, which is a story for another day.

Anyway, to get a good idea of the variety of cargo bikes out there, take a look at these two great Flickr groups (below): "Working Bikes and Trikes" and "I Carried This on my Bike."

Bikes with Lights at Parade of Lights

Members of Champaign County Bikes join the Parade of Lights, being creative with their bike lighting efforts. Watch the slide show but also take a look at Gary Cziko's video, where he does his best Maurice Chevalier impression:

Wheelies Fixies Music Vid

When I was young we did wheelies blocks-long, but that was in the era of the StingRay, a style of bike practically invented for the wheelie. A road bike fixed gear must be a bit harder to wheelie. Anyway, that's just an excuse to play another bike music video ;)

Robert

Riding High from 13thWitness™ on Vimeo.

How decent bike parking could revolutionize American cities. - By Tom Vanderbilt - Slate Magazine

How decent bike parking could revolutionize American cities. - By Tom Vanderbilt - Slate Magazine:
"What Would Get Americans Biking to Work? Decent parking.
By Tom VanderbiltPosted Monday, Aug. 17, 2009, at 5:34 PM ET

When we talk about transportation, we tend to talk about things in motion. What is often left unremarked upon, in conversations about crowded highways, is something without which those crowds would not exist: parking. That humble 9-by-18-foot space (the standard size of a spot) is where traffic begins and ends. It is the fuel to traffic's fire."

Gary Cziko Reporting from Portland on Bike Infrastructure

Given recent budget cuts at All Bikes R Cool we've had to let go all our foreign and national bike correspondents ;) Fortunately, Gary Cziko, an Urbana friend of mine recently traveling, offers up these observations on the Portland biking infrastructure. His thesis, that more bikes = slower auto traffic and slower auto traffic = more bikes, is a profoundly significant and obvious and ultimately safer and saner effect we need to keep working toward.

I've been spending a few days in  Portland (OR) paying special attention to bicycle use in the the city center.

This morning I spent some time on the Hawthorne Bridge where pedestrians and bicyclists share quite successfully the 11-foot shared path on each side of the bridge (each side is one-way for bicyclists, two-way for pedestrians). You can see a short video of the scene here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcziko/3813905512/
(I never found out why that one guy was walking his bike).

I also noticed two blokes making a video of the scene with a real movie camera (see attached photo). It turns out they are producing a film of the history of the bicycle for the BBC, visiting several cities in North America and Europe and focusing on bicycles for transportation while in Portland. The film should be available for a week of so in the spring on the BBC website, so we need to keep an eye out for it. The title is "It's All About the Bike" (with assumed apologies to Lance).

Finally, my most interesting observation is that while Portland does have excellent bicycle facilities (and is a Platinum Bicycle Friendly City), most streets in the city center do not have any special accommodations for moving bicycles (LOTS of parking, though). And yet bicycles use these busy streets and appear to mix in quite well with the motor traffic. Motor traffic here is calmer and slower than I've noticed in any other city in North America and that certainly helps. Amazingly, I have yet to hear a single car horn during my days here which is very strange to my New York City raised ears.

I'd like to think that all these bicycles have had a calming effect on Portland's traffic, although it may be that Portlanders have always been kindler and gentler behind the wheel than drivers in other U.S. cities which is what encouraged bicyclists in the first place. No matter which is the case and which the effect (probably both are both cause and effect), downtown Portland indicates to me that cars and bikes can co-exist in busy city traffic if both bicyclists and motorists respect each other and cars keep their speeds down. It is also clear that if all these bicyclist were trying to get around Portland in cars, traffic would be a whole lot worse than it is now.

-- Gary Cziko

Bike, Beer, and Rafting

Nick Sande (aka Swervy) of the Surly Blog recounts a rather unique adventure wherein he loads his bike down with a 5lb raft, Heineken king cans, and sets out on a combination biking and rafting adventure. Sande sounds like a traveler with the right priorities, including stopping to frequent lemonade stands to support the kids. Bottom line: getting a raft on a bike, and a raft in the water with a bike on it, and then a raft back on a bike, all the while keeping your Heinekens cold--that's something even the Navy Seals might have to train for.

Hot August Flashback to Winter

It's hot or just a bit warm and you choose not to ride. Flashback to winter: note this guy DID ride on a snowy day--note the bike on top of the snow pile.

Don't Knock a Huffy

Todd Spinner writes "In Defense of Huffy" at Smile Politely, and he has a point. If a bike works and you like it and it does the job, then what's the problem? Todd's main points are that Huffy has made many, many bikes in the last half century and there are many vintage and interesting bikes out there one can look for and own with pride. I've restored and customized a number of Huffys over the years. The most recent was a somewhat vintage blue Huffy I've set up for Becky and Tera. I found this Huffy on the side of the road with a "free" sign on it; typically you stop and look at these "free" bikes and both tires are flat, a brake doesn't work, the chain is rusty, and then there are at least two other problems. This Huffy was in pretty good shape and had some stylish red cables to go with its red, white, and blue motif.

Great Bike Light Mount Hack

The BikeHacks blog offers a great hack for mounting lights on a bike. The problem is that good, high-powered bike lights are not cheap, but one can buy, on sale, some good flashlights, but while those fit your hand nicely, try mounting them on your handlebars of your bike so they don't fall off. Here is a great solution for those with old bikes and parts to spare.

Tijuana Bicyclists Ride To Make Streets Safe : NPR

Let's go for a bike ride! In Tijuana these days that simple wish takes a bit more gumption than just getting off the couch. An inspiring NPR story about folks trying to insist on the simple things--if you listen to the story you'll better appreciate the context.

Tijuana Bicyclists Ride To Make Streets Safe : NPR
Saida Perez

The streets of Tijuana, Mexico, can be deadly. Last year, more than 800 people died there — many at the hands of drug traffickers. But there's another side to life in Tijuana.

Every Wednesday, hundreds of bicyclists, some decked out in custom bike clothes and others in just jeans and T-shirts, gather in front of the Tijuana City Hall.

read more

Boutique Cycles

When they say boutique cycles, they mean it. Similar to Fixed Gear Gallery, but much more selective, and a larger variety of bikes. This baby is an exotic:

Jim's Vintage Schwinn Bikes page

A nice page of Jim's collection of vintage Schwinn bikes. It really is a shame that no one makes bikes, or anything, that lasts like an old Schwinn. There was no such thing as built-in obsolescence in those days.

Brimstone and Bicycles

What links the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, the coldest year in the last 1,500 years, aka "the Year Without a Summer," and the grandfather of the bicycle, the velocipede? Read Mick Hamer's article "Brimstone and Bicycles" and find out:

Brimstone and bicycles - environment - 29 January 2005 - New Scientist:

29 January 2005 by Mick Hamer

ON 5 April 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia began to grumble. A week later the volcano blew its top in a spectacular eruption that went on until July. It was the biggest eruption in recorded history, killing around 92,000 people and ejecting so much ash into the atmosphere that average global temperatures dipped by 3 °C. In the northern hemisphere 1816 became known as the year without a summer. New England had blizzards in July and crops failed. Europe was hit just as badly.

On holiday by Lake Geneva the 18-year-old Mary Shelley and her husband Percy were trapped in Lord Byron's house by constant rain. To divert his guests Byron suggested a competition to write a ghost story. The result was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Across the border in the German state of Baden the soaring price of oats prompted the 32-year-old Karl Drais to invent a replacement for the horse - the first bicycle."

read on

How to rent a bike in Champaign-Urbana

Barry Isralewitz has composed a very useful guide to anyone who wants to rent a bike in the Champaign-Urbana area. We might not be Paris, with their extensive bike rental system (Hell, we might not be Paris for a lot of reasons), but at least people can rent bikes if they want.

Thanks, Barry:

How to rent a bike in Champaign-Urbana
updated: July 27, 2009

Central Illinois is really, really flat; it’s a great place to ride a bike. Below are some options for renting a bike during a short visit to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bike on!
Tips: rent or borrow a helmet, or buy a new helmet (the cheapest in store is fine), and mount a $5- $10 front safety light for dusk/night riding. Plus: lock up that bike when unattended!

Durst cycle
Good choice for a 3 to 10 day rental. Not really "rental”; with their system you purchase a used bike outright, then are refunded the purchase price -- minus rental fees and any damage incurred -- when you return the bike.
Basic bike: $35/day; $60/week. Requires up to $300 “deposit” (purchase price).
Premium bike: $50/day; $100/week. Requires $301 – $500 “deposit” (purchase price).
Address: 1112 W. University Ave. Urbana, IL 61801(1 block from Beckman Institute!)
Phone: (217) 367 - 3600
Hours: Mon.--Fri. 9 am--5:30 pm, Sat. 9 am--5 pm
(Open Mon. and Fri. evenings until 7:00 PM April - August)
Jared Durst says: We do not require a deposit on our "rental" bikes. We have the customer purchase the bicycle. They are free to do what they want with the bicycle. We agree to re-purchase the bicycle less a "rental" fee, as long as it is in the same condition as when picked up by the customer. Any repairs needed are added to the "rental" fee.

University of Illinois, Div. Campus Recreation, Adventure/Outdoor Center
Only place to rent helmets. But, only two bikes in entire inventory. Helmet rental is free with bike rental.
Mountain Bike, $20/day, $35/weekend, $60/week (UI-Rec. members: $15/$25/$40)
Tandem Bike, $10/day, $14/weekend, $24/week (UI-Rec members: $8/$12/$22)
To request a bike and/or helmet, email: outdoorcenter@illinois.edu with the times you would like a rental. Callers to their number 217-333-8747 are told to send the request by email.
Helmet rental, free with bike rental, otherwise $2/day, $5/weekend, $8/week
(UI-Rec members: $3/$7/$10)
“UI-Rec members”= University of Illinois student, or affiliate with paid semester Campus Recreation fee.

Champaign Cycle
Only rents high-end bikes. Amazing road bikes and mountain bikes available.
Rates: $50/first day, $20/each additional day
Requires credit card and state ID. Rental fees can be applied to future purchase.
Address: 506 South Country Fair Drive, Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 352-7600
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 am--6 pm; Saturday 10 am--5 pm; Sunday 12 noon--4 pm

The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign
(Teaching Bicycle Repair Co-operative / DIY shop)
A great deal, but you’ll need some luck!
$50 – $100 to purchase a restored used bicycle
Instead of renting, buy a restored used bike for the same money you’d spend on a few day’s rental.
Then, donate back the bike when done, give the bike to a local friend, or take it back home with you.
The catch: each week, only a handful of bikes for $50 - $100 are made available for sale “ready-to-ride”. Visiting the shop risks that no ready-to-ride bike will be available in your size that day.
Address: 202 S. Broadway, Room 24, Urbana, IL (corner of Elm and Broadway)
(Post Office / IMC Building, enter via south-side basement entrance)
Phone: (217) 469-5125 Website: http://www.thebikeproject.org
Hours: Mon. 5:30pm--7:30pm; Wed. 6:30pm--8:30pm; Thu. 6pm--9pm; Sat./Sun. 2pm--5pm



revised July 27, 2009; corrections to barry.isralewitz@gmail.com
===================================

Iowa: Land of Largest Bike Ride in the World and Petition to Ban Cycling from Rural Roads

The Iowa petition to ban cycling from rural roads would be a very bad bandwagon to start rolling. Behind this petition are some real concerns; Perhaps the petitioners could have focused on ways to better share the road and a call for all cyclists to follow existing laws, but, then, that wouldn't get any attention would it? The urge to ban all bikes seems very, how shall I put this, arrogant. Reading through the comments of the petitioners and I don't see anyone mention the fact that (a) many of these folks have to be speeding when they have their issues and (b) people can slow the hell down when they drive, for the ultimate health, safety, and happiness of all. NASCAR Nation vs spirit of RAGBRAI!

http://citizenrider.blogspot.com/2009/07/depressing-news-from-iowa.html

Bike Heavy Music Video

OK, you have to get past the 1 minute mark, but I promise, lots of bike stuff after that, and it ends with a nice mashup of Queen's bicycle song.

Ultimate Hand-Made Bikes at Fast Boy

If I only had 3 grand to get in line and order a hand-built Fast Boy Cycle! Craftsmanship in the age of mass production plastic. Check out their full Flickr set and their really cool web site, and dream.

One day I'd like to make at least one bike this cool.

Cycling Safety Tips from Joel Gillespie at Smile Politely

Our local local blogger Joel Gillespie just posted a collection of cycling safety tips from local riders, including myself, on the Smile Politely blog.
Quite a variety of safety tips from some people who have been riding for decades.

Will Chambana Ever See a Bike Box?

We may always be off-Broadway, but maybe we could get some bike boxes in Chambana. Maybe we just paint a few late at night?

Boy Peddles Bicycles For College Money|NewsChannel 8

A local news story about a youngster selling some bikes at his dad's used car dealership.


Boy Peddles Bicycles For College Money|NewsChannel 8

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Details from Oxtail Bike Trailer

Very interesting design, the Oxtail. Note the fairly significant linkage with the seat stem, which looks to take more than a few minutes to install. All in all, a solid, stable design. Sort of the "folding bike" design for bike trailers.

Using an Oxtail bicycle trailer

This design is similar, but even more lightweight and foldable--note how quickly the trailer can be attached; although the entire seat seems to be fitted in and perhaps the trailer to seat post attachment isn't so quick to pull off. This would be a nice trailer for stowing away. It also seems like one could use whatever bag or luggage or package one wanted and could attach it with the bungee cord.

Aevon Bicycle Trailer Demo

Very solid design of a one-wheel trailer. Notice the tight turns made possible by the seat post attachment, which pivots and allows lots of movement.

Hand-Painted Cruiser

Very nice job on this hand-painted cruiser. I have a cruiser, fully disassembled, sanded down and ready to be painted. I had wanted to do something bright and funky like a lime color, but this hand-painting looks very good on bright white. Who knows what I'll do. I'm dependent on, likely, a limited supply of paint, having never purchased any auto-style paint for such a bike rebuild.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81469578@N00/sets/72157618890450402/show/

Atlanta Alley Cat Photo Shoot

A great set of bike culture photos from Atlanta. They set up 7 checkpoints with real photographers, who shot this interesting cast of characters--an excellent idea that could be used again and again. Love the DIY wheel cover on the bike below. I did a bit more Google research and came up with Boston Bike Polo how-to on creating your own wheel cover.

Things are getting very intersting in my little college town

Bicycle Design: John Hobson Wooden Frame

Bicycle Design highlights John Hobson's wooden frame bike design. There are a number of wooden and bamboo bicycle designs. This latest example led me to an insight. Why not cut out the main tubes of a bike frame and replace them with wooden poles. This, of course, is a way to hack at cheap bike frames until I learn how to weld. In other words, I have no problem cutting metal tubing, and crafting wood, but I sure can't weld at this point. Additionally, I might try to see if I can use this method to make a cheap extended rear frame bike in the style of the Xtra-Cycle.

Yojimbo’s Garage Custom Lockring Tool at Urban Velo

Urban Velo has an interesting post on a DIY lockring tool built at Yojimbo's bike garage in Chicago. Now this is interesting to me for not only as I'd like to create a DIY lockring tool, but also because Yojimbo's is news to me and sounds like a pretty interesting bike shop. Yojimbo’s Garage Custom Lockring Tool at Urban Velo

Water Bike

It's about at this point that one realizes that the bike is essentially an infinitely unlimited mechanism, which begins very simply, and, like a very good melody, can support endless variations on a theme. Amazingly, there is likely any number of new variations that are revolutionary and world-changing yet to be seen. Of course the water bike isn't likely one of them, but it's a nice variation.

Panorma Shot of Champaign Cycles Bike Repair Area

My Kodak digital camera does in-camera panorama shots. Here's one I took of the Champaign Cycle bike repair area. Note the curved tool wall peg board and work bench. Not easy to make and very cool.