Torch, a new cycling helmet

FTLOBs reader Nathan Wills sent over a helmet he's been developing which integrates front and rear lights into the helmet itself. You can check out more about the Torch, including a video of the design in action in the pouring rain, on his Kickstarter page (where all funds raised will go towards tooling, initial production, packaging, and domestic shipping to backers).

I'm not sure of the overall weight of the helmet but like the idea of gaining visibility from the sides and since its an all-in-one product --  you won't have to worry about forgetting your lights at home!

the beauty of Carmageddon 2011

photos above via LATimes

While I've never personally experienced LA's I-405 in all its many-lane-wide glory... still can't get enough of these photos of one of America's busiest highways which closed last weekend for (gasp)  widening. One fabulous way of forcing people to attempt to think outside their car!

via NYTimes

transit patterns

BABY

Martha Kang McGill illustrates the commuting habits of eight major U.S. cities based on the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. The fine print...

via Out of Habit via Infrastructure

So curious to see the shift in the 2009 Census numbers...