THIS SATURDAY: Bike Snob reading + Design C.L.O.T. opening in DUMBO

current window display at powerHouse in DUMBO, Brooklyn

powerHouse Arena & Bookstore this Saturday, May 1st...

indeed the - no longer anonymous - Bike Snob will be discussing and signing copies of his recently launched book in the flesh (from 2-4pm) PLUS stick around for the opening reception (from 6-8pm) of the fabulous design exhibition currently on view at powerHouse...

Design C.L.O.T. (Collective League of Talent) is an exhibition of bold new work from emerging designers. The show features work of Masters of Industrial Design graduates, a conglomeration of ideas and inspirations that are united by an intrepid drive to improve our material world through meaningful objects and ideas.

I am thrilled to be exhibiting my recent design projects alongside an amazing group of designers. for the LOVE of bikes' bicycle related designs are on display in the street level display (top image) and on the mezzanine level. In case you miss the opening, the show remains on view until May 9th.

powerHouse Arena & Bookstore
37 Main Street @ Water Street / DUMBO, Brooklyn
detailed directions [here]

neutral tones

Bicycle and frame bag by RETROVELO - a small manufacturer based in Leipzig, Germany.

Modified the format and usability for everyday use, their frame bags are inspired by this Swiss military design...

for the love of (biking in) NYC

Last year's 5 boro bike tour Tshirt for Transportation Alternatives and the D.O.T. from Max Kaplun's design portfolio. Looking forward to the unveiling of NYC & Company's new look for the 2010 Bike Month...

woodies

Like grabbing the handle of an axe or hammer... Rivendell Bicycle Works sells these ergonomic beauties. Stained dark brown / no two exactly alike / birch wood with anodized aluminum plugs and clamps / 4-7/8" long. If you are wondering how you would add them on - they simply slide on the your handle bar ends and tighten with the included screw fastener (though you should use an additional adhesive. Can be used with Nitto Albatross Aluminum Bars also via Rivendell.

bottle of red

It's been a while since I've come across a bottle of Red Bicyclette on the shelves but Lisa Floryshak-Windman (who I dearly miss speed skating with) sent me a photo of their newer/current look... Goodbye, cheerful yellow label with the little stereotyped man with beret and baguettes. Hello, more serious look...

hello NYC bicycle boutique: Adeline Adeline

last month / renovating... not yet open

this month / photo from the NYTimes!

Last month, posters of over sized images of bicycles in a storefront peaked my interest. Then last week while biking in Tribeca along Reade Street's bike path... I was thrilled to find Adeline Adeline was open! FINALLY - NYC's answer to London's Bobbin Bicycle.

Adeline Adeline is "a very nice bicycle shop" indeed! Julie Hirschfeld, store founder and graphic designer, translates her aesthetic and design expertise into the world of bicycles beautifully by creating a cheerful and friendly "bicycle boutique". Located two blocks from the West Side Greenway bike path (perfect for test rides!) the shop is well stocked with a great assortment of city bicycles "that focuses on comfortable, relaxed riding for pleasure"! They also have a full service shop downstairs + stylish selection of accessories from helmets to baskets to bells...

Pashley's Princess Sovereign / Abici's Grandturismo / Bakfiets' Cargo Bike / Biomega's Amsterdam / Linus' DUTCHIE 3

It's well worth a visit!

strawberry basket

Sweet graphics on an Upper East Side delivery bike.

a Brooklyn bike lane...

Williamsburg, Brooklyn is home to both droves of cycling hipsters and the world's largest ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish sect. New York Magazine's current issue includes a comprehensive article on how the Bedford Avenue bike lane (which cuts through both communities) has become a super heated topic. Spoiler: this video is one side of the story...

à la Refinery29

As warm sunny days are abound - as are cycling accessories! Last week, the fashion site Refinery29 posted their bicycle-chic picks... check them out [here]

colour match

In conjunction with Milan Design Week, the Italian bicycle manufacture, Abici launched four new Pantone colours to ride including Turquoise 15-5519 and Mimosa 14-0848. Then for even more colour matching fun... on Design Milk I came across Abici's collaboration with Sweden's Note Design Studio for which they chose four different iconic buildings in Stockholm to inspired a collection of bicycles...

I'm adoring that red-orange...
could it be referencing the K:fem department store designed by Wingårdhs?!

Dargelos launches w/ Lightning Vest

check out this super beautiful video of the vest in action...

I'm thrilled to be sharing the recent launch of Dargelos - a cycle fashion brand - "encouraging the integration of cycling into city life by creating flexible garments for the growing demographic of bicycle commuters". Brooklyn-based designer, Audrey Robinson (my lovely + uber-talented ♥ sister ♥) created Dargelos to bridge her longtime enthusiasm for urban cycling and sustainable practices by the fashion industry. The minimal and unique Lightening Vest is the first item - stocked / ready to ship...

The Lightning Vest is a hand-netted, highly visible safety vest made from 3M reflective ribbon that can be worn all year, day or night and layered over jackets or t-shirts. Neck opening is wide enough to pass over your helmet and netting is large enough for your hand to access pockets. The Lightning Vest is very strong, lightweight and compact enough to fit in your Belt Pouch or pocket without getting tangled.

Follow Dargelos on their blog / twitter / facebook to keep posted when new items are added!

hello Bike Snob @ NYC's Bike Culture Summit

On May 6th, Transportation Alternatives is hosting a Bike Culture Summit bringing together leading pundits of bicycle culture:

- Eben Weiss (a.k.a. Bike Snob) the popular and elusive blogger, will make a rare public appearance at this event, following publication of his long-awaited book on bike culture in late April

- David Herlihy, author of "Bicycle" and "Lost Cyclist" (forthcoming, May 2010), is the foremost U.S. historian of bicycling

- Caroline Samponaro, Director of Bicycle Advocacy for Transportation Alternatives, is a longtime New York City cyclist and cycling activist, and is a co-founder of the Freewheels Bicycle Defense Fund

They'll debate the critical bike culture controversies: Do cyclists need to rehabilitate their public persona? To what extent should safety trump convenience and style? Will protected bike lanes segregate cyclists? Is Critical Mass a boon or a liability for the bike movement? What can be done about sexism in the cycling community?

details...
Thursday, May 6th / 7pm
NYU's Wasserman Center Auditorium / 133 E. 13th Street, 2nd floor
$15 for T.A. members / $20 for non-members -- become a member [here]

You can choose a ticket + book option... either David Herlihy's "Bicycle" or Eben Weiss's "Bike Snob: Systematically and Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling" when reserving your ticket (book covers above) - and pick them up at the event.

Radley bags + Pashley bikes

Bright + cheerful British fashion accessory company, Radley, launch their S/S 2010 collection with the ever popular bicycle-as-marketing tool... this season's photoshoot (above) and a customized Pashley bike give away (sadly only open to UK residents)...
However, Radely has crossed the pond with a recently launched website for those living in the USofA.

got milk

BASIL Memories-Bottle Basket incorporates the silhouette of a milk bottle into the wire frame. Thanks évoluer. Looks like it would be pretty easy to come up with some practical uses for them - like wrapping your long purse straps.
On the subject of milk bottles... did you know the first factory that produced milk bottles were manufactured by the New York Dairy Company? The first patents for a milk container (the " Lester Milk Jar") were patented on January 29, 1878 by George Lester of Brooklyn, New York. Most people consider this the first glass jar specifically designed to hold milk. It had a lid that was held in place by a yoke that engaged the base of the jar and a screw that pushed down on the lid. via Diary Antiques

And check out this wire basket - with a lid! I could see myself locking up my bike, throwing in my helmet and using a little pad lock on the basket. The design would be even better if the lid opened the other way - facing the cyclist - for easy access while stopped at a red light.

early twentieth century throwbacks

Bowery Lane Bicycles are quite spiffy with their American steel frames handmade in NYC (forged in a factory that derives 30% of its power from solar panels), dual-spring saddles, cork grips, and handcrafted wood crates "perfectly sized for two six packs, shopping bag, or 25 LPs - up to 40lbs". Also note worthy... Bowery Lane Bicycles' factory is located within New York City limits, which means employees can commute via bicycle or public transport. As I am not a fan of coaster brakes -- here's hoping they'll expand their line?!

Those wooden crates reminded of a man (in a suit) I spotted last week riding over the Manhattan Bridge on a vintage cruiser frame equip with a vintage Pepsi wooden crate attached to the rear rack -- much like the above. While I adore wood accessories, Wald's 139-WW Font Basket is a nice (and lighter) compromise made from Ohio White Oak with nice/practical proportions (13" long, 18" wide, 6" deep)...

billy's sweet wheels

NYC is the perfect place for a cupcake feen. How extra sweet to come across, not only a new Billy's Bakery location (in Tribeca), BUT their customized delivery tricycle - by Cycles Maximus Co. based in England.

their wallpaper in Tribeca

+ check out their single cupcake box to ensure that your frosting will survive your bike ride home(!)

top photo via EATERYROW / bottom photo via simply+pretty / all others via me