beautifully braided

by Studio Marisol

Aside from bicycles, I love braids. Including these. So I was pretty psyched to come across these braided strap leather handlebar grips by Portland-based Walnut Studiolo...

tarot on the go

Danielle Baskin's handpainted helmets includes a series based on tarot cards - each helmet comes with an interpretation of the card!

the rally

image via the NYTimes

That's right. In New York City you have to rally to keep bikes lanes!

It was one week ago when the early-morning rally to SAVE Prospect Park West's two-way protected bike lanes took place. The event garnered a lot of media attention and with camera crews/photographers abound it didn't occur to me at the time to take pictures myself and therefore only have the image above to share. The turn out of supporters was really great -- the NYTimes reported 150-200 came to support keeping the bike lane and that 50-70 came to protest it. (This estimate may be low since it took place from 8am-9am which is prime work commute time and many people stopped by in support but seemingly had to leave just as we encountered the group of protesters.) The thought that people would oppose the following effects that the new street design which removed one lane of car traffic in just a few months (illustrated below by StreetFilms.org) baffles me:
IRONICALLY - and I'm not sure how many people heard about this - but DURING the rally there was a terrible car accident around the corner at the intersection of Grand Army Plaza and Flatbush caused by none other then A SPEEDING CAR. The accident sent seven people to the hospital. Terribly sad.

While the saga of the little protected bike lane along Prospect Park West continues... the dreamer in me can't help but picture the day the issue being but to rest. Just imagine everyone respecting for each others safety and following the DOT's advice:


Those bright green (temporary foam core-backed) signs above were placed along Prospect Park West earlier this month in anticipation of thousands of people coming to the park due to a big event. They were are all up for just that one weekend. But due to the education needed to reform people's habits -- perhaps the DOT should make more (more permanent) signs!

Also, if you are a New Yorker take a few minutes and voice your opinion on the Prospect Park West bike lane in THIS SURVEY organized by Brooklyn Community Board , Councilmembers Brad Lander and Councilmember Stephen Levin.

SAVE Prospect Park West

i ♥ traffic calming

Grand Army Plaza, at the North end of Prospect Park West, a white grid was laid down along with reflective posts at the busy intersection where bike lanes, cross walks and traffic lights converge

two (no longer three) vehicle lanes
-- on a road that in the past 5 years I've lived in Park Slope never seemed to need three

still at the early phase last June -- just after the green paint was laid down

The four-month-old two-way protected bike lane along the eastern edge of Prospect Park in Brooklyn was a dream come true for this cyclist. What used to be a three lane high-speed corridor (which I wouldn't dare bike along) was transformed last June by the DOT into a calmer two lane road with a two-way Copenhagen-style protected bike path (separated from traffic by the parking lane). As a Park Sloper, I immediately integrated this 1 mile stretch into daily commute and it has enabled me to ride from my home into Manhattan almost exclusively using bike lanes! Pretty remarkable. It immediately become my pride and joy -- I seriously make it a point to show off Prospect Park West to out of town guests as an example of how livable and bike-friendly Brooklyn is. Streetfilms created this video "The Taming and Reclaiming of Prospect Park West" about this incredible transformation...

Excited?! Well, HOLD UP.
The new and improved Prospect Park West has grown to become one controversial topic.

Believe it.

A quick recap: The Brooklyn Paper reported that "drivers and other locals say the lane is ugly, has exacerbated traffic, reduced parking, and increased the danger for pedestrians who must dodge cyclists traveling in both directions." Meanwhile a before and after speed survey has recorded that by erasing one lane of car traffic, the new design has:

• reduced average speeds by 25%
• increased compliance with the speed limit five-fold
• reduced the proportion of cars speeding 40 mph or faster from 30% to just 1.4%

While there may be some growing pains there is no reason to abandon such a great step forward. If you are PRO keeping Prospect Park West in its enhanced state/magnificent glory:

COME OUT + JOIN a Bike/Walk to

SUPPORT THE NEW PROSPECT PARK WEST

8am THIS Thursday, October 21st (tomorrow)
Meeting @ Grand Army Plaza

Bring a sign + RSVP [here]

Coordinated by Transportation Alternatives

gleam on

ADIDAS x JEREMY SCOTT @ COLETTE
Fall/Winter 2010-11

As I remain obsessed with visibility on the road - be it to fellow cyclists / pedestrians / motor vehicles - high contrast and reflectivity prevail in my mind. Jeremy Scott's collaboration with Adidas is so over the top - Elvis meets Cirque du Soleil meets club kid - I can't help imagine being donned in this mirror sequence two piece along with his silver 'wings shoes'...
And if you were to seek an all out accompanying accessory - may I suggest Porter x Barney’s CO-OP 25th Anniversary Luggage Collection...

Psst, you may want to check out [this study] about how Cyclists Might Not be as Visible as They Think!

bike building IN SCHOOL

Even after recently graduating from a graduate program THIS really makes me want to go back to school!

The beautiful video above is by Tim Bishop, MBA in Design Strategy Alum, showcasing CCA's Industrial Design course "Bike Building I:The Frame". The course was taught at CCA's San Francisco campus and gave design students an opportunity to design and build their own custom bikes from start to finish.

Focusing on traditional principles and techniques of bicycle frame building, Nick Riddle led students through the process of researching, designing, crafting, and manufacturing a custom bike. According to each student's individual desire, some of the final bikes were for mountain riding, others were for road riding, and others were purely for leisure. All were conceived, designed, and assembled in just six weeks.

You can check out photos of the final designs and read more about the course [HERE].
Dreamy. Thanks, Tim!

Hallå! Bianchi concept store

Stockholm is getting their very own (and the first) Bianchi Café & Cycles on October 30th -- "a glamorous meeting point for cycling enthusiasts and fans" as the company celebrates 125 years in the bicycle business!!! Love their iconic 'celeste' turquoise -- like a beautiful Tiffany box awaiting to be opened.

Thanks for the sneak peek, Victor!

And couldn't pass up posting these old photographs of Italian soldiers carrying folding Bianchi bicycles including the 'Model 1912'...

seoul cycle faves

Handle the Handle by AHN Joonggun, CHEONG Jihyung, Korea
I do love imagining built-in tools on my commuter -- this handle detaches and TA DA is a pump in case of a flat (the other handle COULD hole a patch kit and extra inner tube!)

Spread Your Love by Hamed KOHAN, Iran
a LOVEly message delivered with traction

Lurking by LEE Jumin, KANG Sukjin, Korea

an adjustable length lock +++ functions as a rear red light while riding at night

Ivy by Sono MOCCI, Italy
Any cyclist in NYC would (well, should) never think of using such a wimpy cable lock -- however it would look really cool on this bike

Sound Cycle by Alexander MUSPRATT-WILLIAMS, Belgium

I'm one of those people that doesn't mind when my bag raddles in my basket for this every reason
-- giving your bicycle a voice so others can hear you approach
-- HEY whatever happened to spoke beads!

Bike & Breathe by Anastasija MASS, Netherlands

an industrial pollution filter hidden underneath a scarf -
while applicable only in cold weather it would be amazing to develop in more types of garments

Seoc-Transformable Cycling Design by Mate Denes HAMORI, Hungary

a slip on which transforms any shoe into a hard sole cleat system
-- one that should go into production! I love my clipless pedals on my road bike and would totally consider something like this for my daily commute

Hand picked submissions/finalists/runners up from the 'cycle fashion + accessory design' portion of the recent Seoul Cycle Design Competition. While they are just concepts (at the moment) -- none the less they are ideas from around the globe. Some poetic, some practical... all in all some fun stuff.