1. GREEN [...]]]> 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:

1. GREEN GOOSE — As part of their package of web services allowing users to track healthy lifestyle achievements, Green Goose’s bike-mounted sensors record cycling activity and upload the data over wifi. The company also provides services to help employers encourage cycling to work.

2. E-WERK — The energy generated pushing those pedals has long been tapped to power lights using a dynamo. But why stop there? German manufacturer Busch & Müller sells a dynamo-powered power supply allowing users to charge phones, MP3 players and other mobile devices. E-Werk comes with a selection of connectors including USB.

3. VELOCOMPUTER — Some cyclists may prefer not to fit an assortment of paraphernalia to their bikes, be it for security, aerodynamic or purely aesthetic reasons. VeloComputer is a mobile phone-based alternative to traditional bike computers and uses the accelerometer built in to many modern smartphones.

4. THE HUMBLE VINTAGE — If a cyclist is away from home and hasn’t got their bike with them, they may want to rent something with a bit of personality that doesn’t clearly signpost them as a tourist. Melbourne-based The Humble Vintage refurbishes classic and vintage cycles as a rental alternative to the ubiquitous MTB.

5. BICYKLO — Aiming to make it easier to find the perfect cycle tour, Bicyklo aggregates thousands of tour offers from hundreds of operators worldwide into a single database, allowing cyclists to search by area, duration and type rather than have to seek out individual operators and investigate what they have on offer.

Spotters: Doug Jost, Robin Benjamins

We’ve seen bicycles used to deliver a variety of products in recent months, including groceries, farm produce and laundry. The latest spotting? Organic soup, made from locally grown produce and delivered each week to subscribers.

Three soups are typically on the menu in any given week at SoupCycle. Consumers who live or [...]]]> Source : http://www.springwise.com/food_beverage/soupcycle/

We’ve seen bicycles used to deliver a variety of products in recent months, including groceries, farm produce and laundry. The latest spotting? Organic soup, made from locally grown produce and delivered each week to subscribers.

Three soups are typically on the menu in any given week at SoupCycle. Consumers who live or work in the Portland, Ore., company’s delivery area begin by checking out the selections for the following week and placing their order by midnight on Friday; rustic bread, salad and dressing are also available. With a list of subscribers in hand, SoupCycle then buys the necessary produce from local farmers. On Monday it cooks up those ingredients into delectable soup, and then on Tuesdays it begins its weekly deliveries, with a different delivery day for each area. Pricing ranges from USD 18 for a quart of soup plus bread and salad, which will serve one or two people, to USD 45 for quantities that can serve six; items can also be ordered a la carte. A USD 3 delivery charge applies for orders under USD 18; otherwise, delivery is free. Each of SoupCycle’s trailers can carry some 40 soup containers, 40 bread loaves and 20 salads at once, it says.

Since SoupCycle first launched about a year and a half ago, it has delivered more than 10,000 orders of soup, spent USD 33,000 with local farmers and saved 3,000 gas-powered miles by using bicycles instead. Some 300 subscribers now enjoy its weekly deliveries. One to emulate locally for some piping-hot profits of your own…? (Related: Sustainable baked goods by weekly subscription.)

Website: www.soupcycle.com
Contact: yesplease@soupcycle.com

Spotted by: Anna Brones

California-based Worldbike’s bicycles are [...]]]> We’ve written about a few different efforts to help disadvantaged people in Africa by providing refurbished second-hand bikes from the developed world. Unlike such initiatives from Baisikeli and Bikes for Africa, however, Worldbike designs and distributes brand-new bicycles that are inexpensive and built specifically to withstand harsh rural conditions.

California-based Worldbike’s bicycles are designed to handle large loads, rough terrain and inclement weather. They’re configured to be not only affordable, but also maintained and repaired locally. Through partnerships with international and local agencies, private companies, foundations and NGOs, Worldbike even helps arrange microcredit financing for bike purchases and supplement sales with support from funders and private donors. Its bikes have already been brought to Cuba, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal and Thailand, among other areas. However, as the company also notes, “the same cargo bike we deliver to rural Africa also turns heads on the streets of Seattle.” An official US version of the bike is now being configured, and proceeds from all purchases will help support bike distribution efforts in Kenya.

A shining example of what our sister site calls the functionall trend, Worldbike has already attracted funding and partnerships with companies and foundations around the world—time to add your brand to that list? Alternatively, how about brainstorming some functionall offerings of your own…? (Related: Single-use toilet bag turns human waste into fertilizer — Water bottle’s plunger-style filter purifies instantly.)

Website: www.worldbike.org
Contact: info@worldbike.org

Spotted by: trendwatching.com’s monthly trend briefing

It may be true that once you learn how to ride a bicycle, you’ll never forget; the thing, of course, is learning that first time. Training wheels have long been a staple of the childhood learning process, but now a San Francisco company has designed an alternative it says will get kids riding in [...]]]> Source : http://www.springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/gyrobike/

It may be true that once you learn how to ride a bicycle, you’ll never forget; the thing, of course, is learning that first time. Training wheels have long been a staple of the childhood learning process, but now a San Francisco company has designed an alternative it says will get kids riding in a single afternoon.

Gyrobike’s patented Gyrowheel replaces a bicycle’s standard front wheel and uses gyroscopic technology to keep kids from falling over. Specifically, it can sense unbalanced riding and re-center the bike underneath the rider’s weight when the bike starts to wobble. Not only does it help kids stay on their bikes, but—unlike training wheels—it also fosters and reinforces correct riding technique, Gyrobike says, resulting in a natural and smooth transition to conventional two-wheeled riding. Three successive stability settings enable that transition, in fact, as a rider’s skills and confidence improve; when powered off altogether, Gyrowheel behaves like a standard bike wheel. Gyrobike will release a 12″ Gyrowheel in early December for about USD 100, and a 16” model will follow in the spring. Both will come equipped with internal rechargeable batteries and a charger and offer a choice of black or white tire colour. Adult sizes and full-scale kids’ bikes are also in the works.

Gyrobike plans to begin distributing the Gyrowheel through select retail stores next year. Retailers around the globe: one to get in on early…?

Website: www.thegyrobike.com
Contact: www.thegyrobike.com/contact-us

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 [...]]]> 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

“Alles op de Velo” war cool. Mer haaten Chance mam Wieder, just en klenge Schlued.

“Braanebuerger Maart”. Och do sinn d’Leit rischt komm, wie d’Wieder besser war an et war wuel e schéine succès.

“Mam Velo op d’Schaff” de Moien haat ech immens Chance well ech sinn dröchen ukomm an wie ech aus dem [...]]]> and had a great Week-End.

“Alles op de Velo” war cool. Mer haaten Chance mam Wieder, just en klenge Schlued.

“Braanebuerger Maart”. Och do sinn d’Leit rischt komm, wie d’Wieder besser war an et war wuel e schéine succès.

“Mam Velo op d’Schaff” de Moien haat ech immens Chance well ech sinn dröchen ukomm an wie ech aus dem vestiaire koum huet et dobaussen gereent.

Links:

http://www.lvi.lu/kalender/090719_bikedays.htm

http://www.wort.lu/wort/web/letzebuerg/artikel/33689/viele-besucher-kamen-auf-den-geschmack.php

http://www.mobiliteit.lu/mam-velo-op-d-schaff/index.php

Nodeem döse Sonnden den Triathlon zu Eechternoach um Séi statt fonnt huet, hun ech lo en Triathlon op 2 Deeg verdeelt gemaach.

Möinden Moien mam Velo op d’Schaff, an der Möttesstonn laafen. Obschons et zimlech naass war de Moien, war et awer ganz agreabel duerch d’Böscher ze fueren.

Dönsden Mötten Schwammen, den Owend mam Velo [...]]]> 13. Juli 2009 :

Nodeem döse Sonnden den Triathlon zu Eechternoach um Séi statt fonnt huet, hun ech lo en Triathlon op 2 Deeg verdeelt gemaach.

Möinden Moien mam Velo op d’Schaff, an der Möttesstonn laafen. Obschons et zimlech naass war de Moien, war et awer ganz agreabel duerch d’Böscher ze fueren.

Dönsden Mötten Schwammen, den Owend mam Velo heem.

Gonderange – Luxembourg : +/- 20 km

Links :

http://www.mobiliteit.lu/mam-velo-op-d-schaff/index.php

Wéi vill Anerer bedeelegt sech den Denis Scuto, an dësen Tour de France-Zäiten, un der Aktioun „Mam Vëlo op d’Schaff”, déi den Transportministère dëst Joer nees an Zesummenaarbecht mat Partner wéi der CFL, dem Verkéiersverbond an der Lëtzebuerger Velosinitiativ organiséiert. Seng Erfahrungen hunn en zu dëser Carte blanche inspiréiert.

Permanent ginn d’Automobilisten jo laanscht d’Autobunne [...]]]> Source : http://news.rtl.lu/commentaire/carteblanche/29815.html

Wéi vill Anerer bedeelegt sech den Denis Scuto, an dësen Tour de France-Zäiten, un der Aktioun „Mam Vëlo op d’Schaff”, déi den Transportministère dëst Joer nees an Zesummenaarbecht mat Partner wéi der CFL, dem Verkéiersverbond an der Lëtzebuerger Velosinitiativ organiséiert. Seng Erfahrungen hunn en zu dëser Carte blanche inspiréiert.

Permanent ginn d’Automobilisten jo laanscht d’Autobunne mat Affiche begléckt, déi hinne soe wéi se sech sollen oder net solle verhalen. Si sinn mol witzeg, mol grave, mol banal. Gutt gemengt meeschtens. Eng Affiche vum Emwelt- a vum Transportministär kréie mer suguer ëmmer nees zervéiert. Eis schéin Äerd ass ze gesinn mat enger Minuterie drop. D’Regierung léisst eis folgendes matdeelen: „Klimaschutz: Et läit an denger Hand. Géi ze Fouss. Huel de Vëlo. Huel de Bus. Änner deng Gewunnechten.”

Vun Ufank un geet dëst Plakat mer zimmlech op de Wecker. Firwat, wëll ech un engem Beispill kloer maachen. Zënter dem 18. Mee bedeelegen ech mech mat e puer Kollegen a Kolleginnen vun der Uni un der Aktioun „Mam Vëlo op d’Schaff”. Dat heescht op d’mannst 15 Mol tëschent dem 18. Mee an dem 24. Juli fueren ech mam Vëlo vu Lampech op Walfer an zeréck. 26 km dohin a 26 km zeréck iwer d’Stad. En Deel kann een och mam ëffentlechen Transport maachen, an anere Wierder mam Zuch, well mam Vëlo an de Bus klammen ass oft problematesch.

Ech hu versicht e Wee ze fannen mat esouvill wéi méiglech Velosweeër. Mee ech muss awer, oft am Berufsverkéier, verschidde Stroosse benotzen, déi Automobilisten als Schläichweeër benotzen: vu Lampech op Ehleng, vum Schléiwenhaff zu Leideleng bis bei d’Hollerecher Kiirch, iirt ech bei der Dexia-Bil an d’Péitrus ka fueren, vu Beggen iwer d’Kromm Längten op Walfer. Ech si generft an d’Autofuerer wuel och. Den éischten Dag hunn ech en Zebrasträife benotzt fir een onméiglechen Traficpunkt ze ëmgoen. Mam Resultat dass e Moto d’Camionette, déi mer d’Vue verspoart huet, iwwerholl huet a mäi viischt Rad gesträift a (glécklecherweis juste) mäi Guidon verbéit huet. „Ça va?” sot en an ass weidergefuer.

Den Zuch huelen mam Velo klappt do scho besser. D’CFL-Schaffner si ganz hëllefsbereet, wëssen awer selwer, dass d’Wagonen net equipéiert sinn fir méi wéi e Grapp voll Cyclisten mat Vëlo opzehuelen, resp. verschidde Waggoen nach guer net equipéiert sinn. Esou munch Trap hunn ech scho missen am Zuch mat mengem Drotiesel blockéieren.

D’Plakat iwer de Klimaschutz geet mer op de Wecker, well e wichtegen Hiweis feelt. Do misst stoen: Géi ze Fouss. Huel de Vëlo. Huel de Bus. An dann: Mär Regierungsmemberen, Gemengen- a Schäfferéit, mär Décideuren a privaten a staatleche Betriiber änneren och eis Gewunnechten a mär huele Mesuren, dass Cyclisten a gudde Konditiounen a virun allem a Sécherheet kënnen op hir Oarbechtsplaz fueren. Mär setzen elo endlech ëm wat mer schonn 10 Joer verspriechen: Mär bannen déi lokal Réseaue vu Vëlospisten un déi National un. Mär schafen an all Gemeng (net nëmmen zu Esch an an der Stad) en zesummenhängenden Réseau vu Vëlospisten. Mär ernennen e Koordinateur um nationale Plang, deen dofir suergt dass déi verschidden Acteuren Transportministère, Travaux publics, Ponts et chaussées, Tourisme, Santé, Education nationale Infrastrukture schafen oder veränneren, fir dass dem Vëlo eng Plaz gi gëtt an net nëmmen e puer Strécher um Macadam.

En attendant, dass mer déi Mesuren am nächste Koalitiounsprogramm erëmfannen, wënsche mer all politesche Responsablen am Land eng schéi Vokanz. Maacht et do wéi mär: Gitt ze Fouss. Huelt de Velo. Ännert är Gewunnechten.

About the size of a parking space for one car, the Green Pod [...]]]> 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

Source : http://springwise.com/transportation/greenpod/

The most recent example we’ve spotted just opened in New [...]]]> Gas prices, urban congestion and environmental concerns have brought about a veritable renaissance in bicycle riding, as we’ve noted before, spawning initiatives like citywide bike-rental schemes and bank-sponsored bike-sharing programs, among others. A trend we haven’t yet highlighted, however, is the growing number of urban bike stations.

The most recent example we’ve spotted just opened in New Zealand. Located in the Britomart in Auckland (a public transport hub), BikeCentral offers bicycling enthusiasts and commuters a welcoming place to park their bikes and transition into the next part of their day. In addition to safe, secure bicycle parking, BikeCentral members have access to private lockers, showers and changing areas. Coffee, fresh food and free wireless internet are also available, as are rental bicycles and an on-site repair service for minor repairs. All-inclusive rates start at NZD 25 per week.

Chicago’s McDonald’s Cycle Center at Millennium Park, which launched in 2004, is a 16,448-square-foot heated facility that includes free indoor parking for 300 bikes, showers and lockers, bicycle rental and repair, and a café. A monthly membership pass costs USD 20. Finally, on the West Coast, Bikestation is a not-for-profit organization that offers secure bicycle parking and more. Stations in five California cities plus Seattle offer a variety of services including bicycle rentals and repair, showers and lockers as well as 24-hour secure bike parking. Monthly fees are USD 12.

The way things are going, demand for centers like these will only increase. And how a combination of bike stations and shared working spaces? Help consumers reduce their carbon footprints, help the planet, and help yourself to some well-deserved profits!

Website: www.bikecentral.co.nz — www.chicagobikestation.com — www.bikestation.org
Contact: info@bikecentral.co.nz — info@chicagobikestation.com — info@bikestation.org

Spotted by: Roanne Parker

Source : http://springwise.com/transportation/urban_bike_stations/

Customers can pick up [...]]]> This weekend, Paris placed over 10,000 bikes in just 36 hours, launching an ambitious bike sharing system that is meant to ‘lead a revolution in the way Parisians move around the city’. Dubbed Vélib’ (from velo + liberté), the program aims to help reduce pollution and keep the people of Paris physically fit.

Customers can pick up a bicycle from one of 750 self-service points. If no bikes are available, renters are directed towards a well-stocked point nearby. After identifying themselves and providing credit or debit card details, users can take out a bike. A day pass costs EUR 1, allowing users as many rides as they like, provided each trip is less than 30 minutes. An additional half hour is EUR 1, with prices climbing for additional time used; the pricing model is aimed at encouraging quick turnover. Bikes can be returned at any service point. Once all 1,451 are in place (end of 2007), the nearest service point will never be far off — one every 300 metres, which means they’ll be 4.4 times as densely distributed as metro stations. The number of bicycles will also be doubled, bringing the total to 20,600.

The sturdy grey bikes come with a metal basket on the handlebars and are heavier than standard bicycles, built to withstand heavy use. In line with the program’s green image, Vélib‘ maintenance staff get around town on 130 electrically assisted bicycles. A barge with 12 stops along the Seine will pick up bikes in need of major repairs. Cleaning staff drive electric vehicles and use rain collected on the roofs of JCDecaux offices. Like a similar scheme in Lyon, where 10 percent of the city’s population has a subscription to the local sharing scheme, Vélib‘ is operated by outdoor advertising giant JCDecaux, which is footing the bill in exchange for exclusive rights to 1,628 Paris billboards.

For short journeys, shared bicycles are faster, cheaper and easier than public transport. With fuel prices still on the rise and increased concern about the environmental costs of driving, planners from other cities should head over to Paris to test Vélib‘ in preparation for launching their own bicycle sharing program. And if you’re in outdoor advertising, take a cue from JCDecaux’s model! (For more examples, see our previous coverage of urban bicycle schemes.)

Website: velib.paris.fr
Images: Vélib’ on Flickr

Spotted by L.C.

Source : http://www.springwise.com/transportation/city_bike_schemes_update_from/

Additional Links :

Veloh’ mon style de ville à Luxembourg : http://www.veloh.lu/

Vël’OK, Äre Velo, Eise Velo : http://www.velok.lu/home.html