The attraction of cycling as a green, healthy, and cost-saving form of transport is huge for consumers, especially so at a time when the environment and world financial woes dominate the zeitgeist. Businesses doing something a little different for cyclists are a strong bet for success. Here’s five we recently spotted: (more…)
With cycling gaining ground as a regular mode of transportation, flat tires and broken chains are on the up, too. Which creates an opportunity for bike-loving entrepreneurs: mobile bike repair shops.
In the Netherlands, for example, we’ve spotted companies like Fix Fiets and Bikemobiel, both of which do house calls in vans or trucks outfitted as mobile workshops. Service is even more mobile (and emission-free) in Cologne and Berlin, where stranded cyclists can call a ‘Radambulanz’—a cycling mechanic with a small trailer containing tools and spare parts for fixing flat tires and performing other common repairs.
While some mobile repair services tack on a small trip charge for coming to a customer’s home or workplace, rates are generally comparable to those charged by brick and mortar bike shops. And although they’ve been popping up in Europe over the past few years, mobile services are far from commonplace. Time to launch a well-branded Geek Squad of bike fixers? (Related: Vending machines for bicycle parts — In the US, the AAA will be offering roadside assistance for cyclists in Oregon and Idaho.)
Website: www.fixfiets.nl — www.bikemobiel.nl — www.fahrradambulanz.com — www.radambulanz.de
Spotted by: Martina Meng — Raymond Kollau — Judy McRae
Source : http://springwise.com/weekly/2009-07-29.htm#mobilebikerepair
Numerous bicycle stations have appeared on our pages before, including Cycle Center in Chicago, Bikestation in California, Bike Central in New Zealand and Cycle2City in Australia. Adding to Australia’s bike station innovation comes the Green Pod, a modular facility from Brisbane’s Penny Farthings Pushbikes.
About the size of a parking space for one car, the Green Pod comes in two configurations: one with a single shower and changing room along with 10 lockers and parking for as many bicycles, and the other with double those facilities. The pod features a solar hot water system, electronic locking system, LED lighting activated by motion sensors, timed showers and a grey water treatment unit that discharges grey water into green areas. The unit can be integrated into indoor or outdoor applications, and it operates on a 12V DC system that can be powered by solar panels on the roof. Also part of the pod is a self-cleaning mechanism that can detect when no one’s inside and lock its doors for some self-cleaning, according to a report in Catapult. Access is via swipe card for registered users.
The first Green Pod is now being used at Queensland University of Technology’s Kelvin Grove campus, and Penny Farthing is also talking with Queensland Rail about tailoring a pod for bicyclist commuters, Catapult reported. Indeed, the modularity of the Green Pod’s design and its diminutive stature give it the potential to be more flexible and easily accommodated than many built-in solutions. One to partner with early and bring to the bicycling masses near you…? (Related: Self-serve parking bay for bikes.)
Website: www.pushbikeparking.com/green-pod
Contact: info@pushbikeparking.com
We’ve written about urban bikes stations before, and are happy to see the concept popping up in other parts of the world. Spotted in Brisbane: Cycle2City, which claims to be the first full-service facility for bicycle commuters in Australia. Brisbane City Council and Queensland Transport teamed up to fund construction of the facility, which gives cyclists a place to store their bikes and change into business attire.
Since opening last June, Cycle2City has signed up 400 members who have access to secure bike parking, air-conditioned locker rooms, showers, laundry service and free bike maintenance classes at the in-house maintenance and repair workshop. Members are encouraged to commit to using the facilities five days a week (at AUD 120.00 for one month or AUD 660.00 for six months), but three-day-per-week ‘permanent casual’ memberships and daily use options are also available.
Cycle2City is just one element of Brisbane’s commitment to encouraging citizens to replace driving with cycling—the city’s mayor has also announced that AUD 100 million will be spent on new bikeways over the next four years. As the number of cycling commuters grows around the world, so will the need for products and services that help make a smooth transition from four wheels to two. Bike-loving entrepreneurs—get going!
Website: www.cycle2city.com.au
Contact: administration@cycle2city.com.au
Spotted by: Brenton Nicholls