Designer Bikes: Azusa in Tokyo (post earthquake)

Azusa and her Miyata

My friend and former studio mate Azusa Hirota recently got herself a new set of wheels to get around Tokyo! Since the recent earthquake and aftershocks in Japan - in a metropolis that moves 9 million people through their public transit system daily - Tokyo has seen a huge spike in ridership...

So many people couldn't go home that day because all trains stopped and buses were stuck in traffic jams. Even after the big earthquake, we are having smaller earthquakes everyday and some of those quakes are still big enough to stop trains... many people are fed up with being stuck in train stations or offices every time big ones occur. 


When Azusa recently bought her bike, the shop owner said that sales quadrupled since the incident! In this recent New York Times article about Tokyo's bicycle boom, they reported that some bikes stores completely liquified their inventory on March 11th since so many people were desperate to get home.

 
On another note - if you're thinking this key chain resembles a potato chip, you guessed right.

DESIGNER BIKES: Tziporah Salamon, Stylist + Dresser Extraordinaire

image via Advanced Style

Armed with an incredible wardrobe (filled with vintage and designer finds), her bicycle and a lust for life - Tziporah Salamon might very well be the most attention grabbing cyclist riding in NYC. You may recognize her from the NYTimes Style pages (through Bill Cunningham's lens) or Advanced Style which documents 'the most stylish and creative older folks'. 

Tziporah recently shared with for the LOVE of bikes how she ended up riding a Bianchi in garments from the l800's...

via Racked / NYTimes Bill Cunningham / Anon.

I've been riding in the NYC for:
around 15 years

What I love most riding is: 
the freedom of getting around quickly - the being out with the elements especially exhilarating when I am cycling down the bike path along the Hudson River on the West side of Manhattan, with the river, the sky, the birds, the trees, the sun or the moon and stars - there's nothing like it - sheer joy!

I ride a Bianchi Milano since (that color scheme must have been a factor!):
I saw my first one parked in the streets on Madison Avenue and left a note in the basket asking the owner where she got it - I knew I had to have it - it was love at first sight - based entirely on what it looked like - the color, the red on the tires - it was just the coolest bike I had ever seen. As a bonus, it rides like a dream!

Other bikes I've owned:
Growing up in Israel, I always had a bike. In NY, my first bike came about when my friend Graziella moved to California from NY and asked me if I wanted her bike - a great old Schwin - I had it for years before I started to ride it because I was afraid of riding in the city. Then one day, I just got on it - and I've been riding ever since. I've had 2 Schwinns stolen and one Binachi, - but it doesn't stop me. I love riding!

Favorite clothes to cycle in:
All my outfits - from my l800's Chinese embroidered coats to my Victorian whites to my contemporary designer garb. It doesn't matter because I make it work - I am always in pants so it's not a problem. I must confess, I have ruined some of my coats by having them get tangled in the wheel - but I keep on doing it. I try hiking them up if need be.

Words of wisdom for any apprehensive/new cyclists:
Just do it - once you get on the bike and experience the freedom and joy you'll never go back.

DESIGNER BIKES: Kamdyn Moore & bike-friendly infrastructure

Bicycles are ubiquitous on college campuses - as is the case on Pratt Institutes' Brooklyn campus where students gravitate to being cost effective and self sufficient. As I was wrapping up my graduate thesis at Pratt (developing products for a growing community of urban cyclists) I crossed paths with Kamdyn Moore, a Urban Environmental Systems Management graduate student at Pratt.

Kamdyn Moore's own thesis culminated in the creation of Campus Area Biking (CAB) aimed to establish Pratt as a leader in the race to change the concept of alternative transportation on a local level. Kamdyn shares her thoughts with for the LOVE of bikes on developing bike-friendly infrastructure on a college campus, falling in love with a single speed in Italy, and biking through Utah...

What got you started on developing better biking systems for Pratt Institute?

There have been a few inspirations for my thesis project. My first day at Pratt, I saw a petition pinned to the wall by the elevator that read “Want more bike racks at Higgens Hall?” As a student commuting to campus by bike, I happily signed the petition. Higgens Hall is probably the building most frequented by cyclists and the bike storage there is horrible. A few weeks later, the petition was gone and I never heard anything more about it. I don’t know if anyone ever saw the petition, who it was delivered to (if it was even delivered), or even who wrote it. And it is no surprise that, Higgens Hall still lacks adequate bike storage.

In addition to the bike racks, there is a pretty large community of students and staff passionate about alternative transit modes, particularly biking, yet Pratt was doing nothing to bring these people together. If anything, I felt that the Institute was trying to pull them apart. There were rumors that administration wanted to close specific entrance gates to cyclists and possibly even ban bikes from being ridden on campus.

I saw no one advocating for the cyclists and felt the need to step up and do something about it. If anything, at least provide the opportunity—the space—for Pratt’s cycling community to come together and share ideas and projects and provide accessible information about the campus policies and other local resources.

What type of systems do you foresee Pratt Institute developing?

My goal has been to analyze how our existing conditions function (or don’t function) and, with the information I’ve gathered throughout my process, better understand how each thing—policy, bike rack, website, resource, campus administrator, student, etc. can be integrated in a much more comprehensive way that will not only improve the cycling experience but the whole campus experience. There has been a lot of push back from key administrators who I believe would rather there be no bikes allowed on campus at all. Fortunately, some progress has been made and I’ve received some really positive feedback from a few administrators that are much more focused on improving the campus community.

In the long term, I hope my project brings light to the fact that the Institute must take a much more holistic approach when working to improve the campus infrastructure as well as when developing policies. You can’t just plop down a bike rack or write a policy. Well, you can, that’s what has been done in the past however the root of the problem, whatever the problem may be, is never addressed.

What was the first bike you ever rode?

As a kid, the first bike I ever rode was, I think, a blue and pink Huffy I got it for my 7th birthday. No training wheels!

How has your interest evolved since then?

My brother and I biked to school together when I was in the third grade but I never thought much of it until I moved to Italy in 2003 and bought a single speed beauty for 20 Euro. I road it until the day I left. I fell in love with the view from the bike. My perspective of the city had completely changed. When I moved back to New York, I was living in the West Village and got a job on 21st St and 1st Ave. There was really no great way to get across town except to bike so -- I bought an old beater off of Craigslist.

What type of bike(s) do you currently commute on?

At the moment, I only have one bike--- a Trek road bike. I wanted something that I could use every day but, if I ever wanted to go on a long ride, I could use the same bike. Once I have a bit more storage space, I hope to get something a little more “chic”. I’ve fallen in love with the “cycle chic” style and feel the need to participate!

What has been your most memorable ride?

Utah was my first and biggest ride. One (slightly drunken) night I called my dad and asked him if he would bike across the US with me. After a (strong) coffee the next morning, I realized that this was a pretty ambitious idea for two people who were completely inexperienced with long distance cycling -- I didn’t even know what a “pannier” was. We whittled down our plans to “a long ride through a dramatic US landscape” and Utah seemed like a good place. I was able to convince my brother to join us on the ride and we hit the road. The scenery was incredible. To climb up a mountain road and then descend into a dessert plain. It was pretty breathtaking (those mountains are steep)! I would still like to bike across the US someday but for now, I’m sticking with riding through NYC. I think my favorite NYC ride was from the West Village up to Times Square. It wasn’t a long ride, but at 3am - pretty awesome.

In most American cities, including NYC, women make up less than half of bike commuters. Any ideas on ways to encourage more women to cycle?

For me, seeing other females advocating for cycling has really encouraged me to continue riding as well as advocating for better biking systems. I think women have an incredible ability to gauge whether or not something is safe – not to be too simplistic but, usually you can judge an area’s safety by how many women are populating the streets. Unfortunately, I think in most American cities, most women wouldn’t consider our city’s streets to be safe for cyclists. We’re working on it - especially in New York but, I think more women will ride more once they are confident that the routes are safe - or at least getting safer.

Parting words...

Ride safe and wear a helmet. I know I sound like an infomercial but, my dad works with people who’ve suffered from a brain injury and I’ve heard some pretty horrible stories. And lastly, keep advocating for your right to the road!

DESIGNER BIKES: Virginia Elwood of Pedaler Clothing

Founder and Managing Partner of (newly launched) Pedaler Clothing - Virginia Elwood has been tattooing New Yorkers for years. She recently shared her thoughts with for the LOVE of bikes on biking in Boise, manufacturing in the U.S. and the anti microbial qualities of bamboo...

What was the first bike you ever rode?

I think it was a Huffy, pinkish purple with streamers on the handle bars (of course), white basket with plastic flowers on the front, coaster brakes and training wheels... I believe it had a banana seat. I loved that bike, but all the neighborhood boys made fun of me so when I was with them I would borrowed my neighbors bmx!

How has your interest evolved since then?

I've been riding bikes for as long as I can remember but throughout the course of my life my interest has definitely waxed and waned. I lived in Boston for a bunch of years and rode my bike there quite a bit, but it wasn't until I moved to Boise, ID that I got really obsessed with it. Boston had a huge bike scene, and I'm sure the people in it are great, but I think I always felt intimidated by it... I wasn't a bike messenger and I rode a Schwinn Calente that was way too big for me. I guess I just thought I wasn't cool enough! Boise is a smaller more manageable city and everyone there rode a bike. It's really an amazing cycling town. It was there that I realized, 'ok I don't have to fit some mold of what a cyclist is, anyone can be into riding a bike!' It sounds kind of silly now, but it helped me get over some of the notions I had about being a "real" cyclist and allowed me to just be someone who likes bikes.

What type of bike(s) are you commuting with these days?

I'm actually in the market for a new bike at the moment. I have a few already, but mostly I ride this 'frankenstein' bike that I put together a few years ago. It's nothing special, but I really love it. It's a single speed, but lately I've been wanting more of a proper road bike. This one is good for my short commute over the Manhattan bridge, but I'd like something a bit more comfortable for longer rides. One of the shops that carries Pedaler is Ride Brooklyn and I know if I stop by they'll be able to point me in the right direction.

You just recently launched Pedaler Clothing with Trinity Kerr who is based in Laguna Beach, CA while your based in Brooklyn, NY. How did that come about?

The idea for the line came from both of our personal needs for clothing that was conducive to a cycling lifestyle with out being obtrusive. We were both altering our clothing and bags to make them easier to ride in and over a bottle of wine decided to make a go of it.

What are the similarities/differences you've noticed b/w the two cities' street cycling culture?

No one would argue that there are differences between the east and west coasts, but we realized that if we were both having the same issues living in different cities then we probably weren't alone in our plight. Because of the milder climate in CA perhaps people there are inclined to ride all the time? I can't say for sure... I know a bunch of toughies who brave the north east winter on their bikes everyday. The cultures are different on each coast but safety and comfort are universal.

Do you have a personal favorite piece from your new clothing? (I personally really like your anorak with those custom brass 'P' buttons.)

I'm obviously biased, but I really like all of it! Our hoodies and T's are made from Bamboo which is really an amazing sustainable fabric... %200 more wicking than cotton, anti microbial (anti-stink) and it feels like cashmere. They are a bit longer to help avoid embarrassing plumber butt moments and all of them have reflective elements and jersey pockets in the back.

The hoodies have longer arms and thumb holes on the cuffs... no more pulling when you reach for your handle bars!

Our denim and twill pants/shorts have a gusset seam in the crotch (I ride on a hard saddle and the seams on regular jeans can really hurt your bits!) and can be worn with or without riding shorts underneath. The cuffs roll up to reveal a reflective strip for safe night riding.

Our bag is waxed canvas and I'm rarely without it, but I may have to agree with you about the jacket... I wore it on a ride recently and it was pretty great.

All of Pedaler Clothing is manufactured in the U.S. -- which is wonderful. How has that worked out?

Sustainability has been an important part of Pedaler from the start and part of that meant manufacturing our line in the U.S. I think if we had done this a few years ago we would have been met with a greater challenge. The unfortunate downturn of the U.S. economy has actually worked in our favor to some extent. Factories that never would have considered working with a small start up were eager for our business. And manufactures who previously would not have sold fabric to us because we didn't make their minimum requirements were willing to make concessions.

You also have a career as a tattoo artist at the ever popular New York Adorned... how did you start on that path?

I was going to school at Massachusetts College of Art and knew I wasn't in the right place. I struggled with the idea of going to school for art. It's scary to study something for four years and not have a job at the end of it.

I annoyed the @#$ out of Fat Ram of Pumpkin Tattoo in Boston until he said he'd apprentice me! Tattooing was just being legalized at the time and Ram was opening the first legitimate Boston tattoo shop in over 40 years. I brought him my drawings all the time and basically harassed him every other day... I started working as the front desk person until he offered to apprentice me. A lot of people don't get what I had and they have to struggle for years to learn how to tattoo. I started my apprenticeship in 2001, and still feel like I'm learning something everyday.

By chance, have you noticed an increase in requests for bicycle related tattoos?

I can't say I have. I wish I had though! I've done a few over the years and have a small one myself.... just a simple line drawing of a bike. But the amount of people coming for their appointments still sweating from their ride in has absolutely increased!

... you can see more of Virginia's tattoo designs here ♥

DESIGNER BIKES: Matthew Burger

Matthew Burger, Chair of Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, has one of the finest bikes on campus. A bit of his biography… In 22 years Matthew Burger has developed concepts & products in a number of areas including transportation, consumer products, graphics & furniture with consulting studios, manufacturers, & a government agency. He has a B.I.D. from Pratt Institute & graduate studies in Visual Communication at Hochschule für Kunst & Gestaltung in Basel, Switzerland. But only recently did I learn about Visual Syntax - where he posts on design and education along side his photography. And he loves bicycles.

A couple weeks back I talked shop with Matthew...

German bike tag / two bells, each with their own unique ring
St. Christopher charm below generator lamp / saddlebag from the Netherlands

It is hard not to miss your beautifully equipped bicycle on campus!

Students are always checking out what pen I use, what style shoes I’m wearing… but, recently, when they see me with my bike – “it’s all about the bike”. Can you pinpoint the time you got into bikes? It was 1985 watching the cyclists doing loops in Prospect Park. It was so inspiring, I got an old 10 speed Fuji followed by a brand new 15 speed mountain bike which were “all the rage” at the time. The mountain bike was stolen in seconds - at the intersection of 7th Avenue and Christopher street. Stepped into a store, and it was gone. (Lesson learned. He got an identical replacement immediately afterwards – insurance covered it!)

What are your currently commuting on?

I have a classic Amsterdam style bike made by an American company - outfitted with new equipment. I had been riding a traditional Dutch “Oma” grandmother style bike with oversized 28” wheels, fully closed drive train, and fabric skirt guard - which I gave to a fellow faculty member.

What has been your longest bike commute?

In Boston, a 40 minute ride each way. Though it was partly long due to taking the scenic route along the Charles River and through Fenway Park.

What do you love most about bikes?

The mechanics of a bike. It is easy to be very hands on with a bike and access the components.

How was living in Switzerland as a cyclist?

The Swiss love bikes. You see everyone on bikes… good looking professional men including lawyers and doctors commuting by bike. They are also very well equip with fenders, lights and bells.

You used to have a basement full of bikes?!

When living in Somerville (next to Cambridge, just outside of Boston), I was surrounded by transient college students. I would collect bikes and parts abandoned on the street, keep them in my basement, and once a year filled the back of a pick-up truck and donate them to Bikes Not Bombs – who would then deliver them to Latin America and Africa.

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DESIGNER BIKES: Roos Stallinga

Last month I had the good fortune of being introduced to Dutch artist + photographer Roos Stallinga! Roos is the creator and author of the recently published Ride With Me NYC – a New York City bike guide. The book takes you on cycling adventures though the city... combining a fun mixture of photographs, art, maps + interviews with NY bikers who share tips and experiences.

pages from Ride with Me NYC

From Amsterdam, Roos shared her first time riding in NYC, Dutch bicycles, and dream commuter bike with for the LOVE of bikes. Enjoy + details are below on picking up a copy of the book!

Your first NYC bicycle ride…

I was already an experienced city cyclist, being from Amsterdam, but I remember for the first time following a friend through the traffic on First Avenue in the East Village as a first it does feel a bit like being deflowered! I remember feeling scared and thrilled at the same time, and when we arrived at the destination, I was hooked. I really feel that biking is such a great way to get around New York, I love it so much, that is why I wanted to make a book about it, to share this joy.

What would encourage more women in NYC to bike…

It will happen, and is already happening I think. But, maybe more nice comfy bikes & happy female role models around. It's just a matter of time, probably, and people like you and me doing it and talking/writing/drawing about it.

Living in Amsterdam, what kinds of cyclists do you see…

You really see everything on a bike. Women dressed up, dressed down, men in suits, with more than 2 children in a cargo bike with dogs and groceries, totally pimped graffiti-ed bikes, pink ones, and with a sound system build in:-) You do see some more cruisers lately, and the cargo bike has been a trend for a while now, especially for yuppies.

What would your dream commuter bike be like…

click to enlarge

Like most Dutch people a bike is just a bike, a vehicle to get from A to B, and one you don't want to get stolen so better not be TOO fancy. In Amsterdam I have two bikes: an old Dutch "oma" (granny) and my New York Panasonic ten speed. I am starting to dream about buying myself a strong and beautiful bike especially made for me:-) I would love to draw on it too, somewhere, make a little artwork on it. I am in love with bikes from an old bike maker Het Nieuwe Werck (meaning the new work) in my neighborhood, Grimminck, in Amsterdam. Their website is not so fancy but the bikes are classic. I would like one with a big basket or box on the front where I can put all my groceries and flowers and at some point also a nice childs seat.

You can take a sneak peak at Ride With ME NYC [here] and in NYC, copies are for sale at St. Marks Books, A Bicycle Shop, and very soon... online!

DESIGNER BIKES launches with Scott Henderson

Designers live-breath-think-dream design. So what better people to interview about their bikes than designers? Why do they ride them, and how they deal with logistical and technical issues facing the modern city cyclist? With this in mind, I am thrilled to be launching for the LOVE of bikes' DESIGNER BIKES profiles with an Industrial Designer who's work I've always admired for it's friendliness and functionality...

dustpan & brush for OXO / Vicks Underarm Thermometer for Kaz Inc. / 'Hare' grooming set for Skip*Hop / 'Grip' rake for casabella / 'Splash' baby bottle brush & drying rack

Scott Henderson is an American designer who heads the New York based design studio Scott Henderson Inc. and is also Principal and Co-Founder of MINT where he designs, manufacturers and distributes home accessory objects to over 350 retailers and museums throughout the world including The Museum of Modern Art and Design Within Reach.

Scott is known for his ability to transform the mundane. He believes that if something makes you smile it becomes easier to use. With over 50 patents in the U.S. and Europe for projects as diverse as housewares and home accessories to consumer medical products, electronics, even aircraft- his work has been widely recognized in exhibitions, awards programs and in the press.

You may have seen him in the New York Times a couple weeks ago and are likely to have used one of his products - and if you are a recent parent you are likely to own more than one. I recently caught up with Scott as he arrived to his DUMBO studio by bike, a 10 minute commute from his home.

Why do you commute by bike?

Its fast, easy, cheap and fun. Great to get that fresh air in the morning too.

For what reasons do you ride the type of bicycle you do?

I ride a mountain bike because I live in the city (ironic?). A mountain bike though is good for jumping curbs when the street is blocked by a garbage truck or something, or for riding over the jagged cobble stones and pot holes of the torn up streets of DUMBO where my studio is. The mountain bike is rugged and I don’t care if it gets scratched when its locked to a bike rack.

What is your most memorable experience while riding?

I did a 100 mile ride once up into the Catskill Mountains, and it was a great feeling to cover that distance in a day on just a bike. You really respect the bike when it’s your only way out of the middle of nowhere.

What is your favorite bridge to ride?

The Brooklyn, because it and its views are so incredible, but the Manhattan is a faster ride as there’s no one on its foot path.

Your favorite path?

I like the west side highway path, but I don’t ride it very often. Great to ride by the water. I ride my bike every day, but it’s really a utility vehicle. I find I rarely ride it just for fun unless I take my daughter for a bike ride. It’s all about transportation.

What are the challenges that you face riding a bicycle in NYC?

You have to be alert and second guess the drivers. Theft is a concern too, although I’ve been lucky about that so far.

How many bikes do you own?

Four, but I just use one. The other three are kid’s bikes in various stages of being grown out of, and that I will soon sidewalk sale away.

How do you store your bicycle at home?

My building has a large basement where I keep it, so it’s not in my living space hung on the wall or ceiling. The challenge I have there is getting it up and down the stairwell to the basement -- a technique I have now perfected.

Do you work on your own bicycle?

No, I leave it to the professionals. I take it to Brooklyn Heights Bike shop on Atlantic Ave. and the owner tunes it up on the spot -- no appointment -- while I wait.

What would be your dream commuter bike?

The one I have is all I need. A Trek Mountain Bike

Product photos & bio text via Scott Henderson Inc.