tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:39:06 +0000product reviewsvelomobilesfolding bicyclesbicycle theftscooterinsanityprototypesmessengersbicycle advocacybicycle hackscommutingcargobikesbicycle geartrailersbikes around the worldbicycle rentalbike businesseshumorhttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)Blogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-3086015005276872182Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:42:00 +00002009-02-24T21:44:15.181-08:00.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 110psi, originally uploaded by nuzz. I got to wondering about this when I saw one of Blackburn's latest CO2/multi-tool widgets. For some reason I've always associated CO2 cartridges with road bikes, and as an owner of http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/02/poll-results-co2-or-mini-pump.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-140911176685563823Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:44:00 +00002009-02-01T07:44:19.417-08:00.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Nighttime Roundabout, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness]. A rotary/roundabout, in a neighborhood just outside Copenhagen. Denmark has a cycling infrastructure outside its major cities, within about 6,000 miles/10,000http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/02/for-copenhagen-insomniac-cyclists.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-4065986332731263592Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:03:00 +00002009-01-20T13:03:02.823-08:00commutingcargobikesbicycle hacksThere are some sweet options out there for adding a trunk to your bike, but if you're looking to save some cash or just feeling inventive, try this alternative from Instructables. Using a plastic toolbox as the foundation gives you a cheap, durable starting point, and lets you create different trunks for different purposes:A small weekend trunk for fun ridesA larger commuter trunk with room for ahttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/01/hack-create-bicycle-trunk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-7602947553232219947Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:40:00 +00002009-01-10T12:40:00.205-08:00product reviewsAltec Lansing has updated the portable MP3 speaker we reviewed back in October. The new iM-237 is slightly larger and about $10 pricier, but has much better sound. Best of all for cyclists, it has more durable construction and comes with a padded case plus carbiner. Perfect for chucking into a backpack, or hanging off a Camelback. Check out the video...Altec Lansing iM-237 Speaker, about $40 fromhttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/01/review-altec-lansing-portable-mp3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-7460586130065898016Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:40:00 +00002009-01-01T13:43:01.378-08:00commutingbicycle advocacy.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Bike Box at W Burnside and 14th-10.jpg, originally uploaded by BikePortland.org. Portland, San Francisco, and Vancouver are experimenting with bikes boxes - dog-leg extensions to bike lanes that put cyclists at the head of http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/01/bike-boxes-improve-safety.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-2859672897333306297Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:26:00 +00002009-01-01T14:25:46.092-08:00bikes around the worldcommutingbicycle advocacy.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Bike Lane Snowplough, originally uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness]. It's hard for anyone in a U.S. city to imagine a local government that would spend money to plow bike paths. But in Copenhagen it makes good sense: this path http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/01/copenhagen-takes-bike-path-seriously.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-493019763728904015Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:29:00 +00002009-01-01T12:30:40.050-08:00humor.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Holidazzle Bus, originally uploaded by bmw328driver. http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2009/01/happy-holidays-d.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-7384689016320902781Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:55:00 +00002008-11-12T08:55:00.728-08:00product reviews No, this doesn't belong on my Using Washboards blog (and no I don't have such a blog, although... note to self.) I'm also not gonna suggest that you use these little detergent packets to scrub your Spandex during your next multi-week trans-Europe ride. But if that was your guess, you're close. Laundry Dropps make the ideal detergent choice for cyclists who use their bike for grocery runs. A http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/11/review-laundry-dropps-detergent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-3053217156414388341Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:20:00 +00002008-11-05T16:20:00.652-08:00bicycle gearcommutingproduct reviewsGood lighting is essential for the bicycle commuter, especially during the spring and fall months when commutes are likely to happen in twilight conditions. But unlike recreational cyclists, commuters need tough, cheap components that'll survive daily use for a good long while, but won't be a magnet for theives. That rules out all those high-tech zenon/rechargeable units, leaving solid little http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/11/review-cateye-led-taillight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-5630682264283155544Mon, 27 Oct 2008 05:11:00 +00002008-10-26T22:11:00.380-07:00bicycle gearcommutingproduct reviewsThere are plenty of speaker systems out there for iPods and other MP3 players. And a few of them are readily adaptable (or at least portable enough) for use on a bicycle. But this speaker unit from iHome nails it: A water-bottle-size system that encases your iPod; includes a speaker, amp and batteries; and is weather-resistant. According to customer reviews at Amazon, it packs enough punch to http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-ihome-bicycle-speaker-for-ipods.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-8453548136399368234Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:48:00 +00002008-10-20T18:48:01.003-07:00bicycle gearcommutingproduct reviewsDrivers. Uggh. It's not the four wheels that cause trouble - it's the fifth one in the hands of someone just itching to slip past you, eager to make that right turn. So a bit of advance warning is useful, and that's why bicycle mirrors are genuinely useful. Few cyclists have them, perhaps grouping them with bells and baseball cards as kid-bike add-ons. But mirrors will keep you out of trouble, http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-mirrycle-mtb-bicycle-mirror.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-8182699918781601174Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:49:00 +00002008-10-14T17:49:00.321-07:00bicycle gearcommutingbicycle theftproduct reviewsbicycle hacksAs bicycles become more popular this year, the five-finger supply chain is working hard to keep their "inventory" fully stocked. If you're a daily commuter, you're that much more exposed, especially if you commute to a location in the city. They say that no lock is truly theft-proof, but that's not really the point. Your locking set-up simply has to be more difficult than the next guy's. Thieveshttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/10/hack-daily-double-u-lock.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-4446638645037858198Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:21:00 +00002008-10-11T09:40:25.216-07:00commutingproduct reviewsRiding with headphones on is never a good idea, but a little music goes a long way, particularly if you have a quiet, early-morning commute. The Orbit MP3 speaker by Altec Lansing is a good choice. Instead of trying to snow you with the mock sophistication of stereo speakers that are inches apart, Altec focused on giving you a single, relatively-large driver. The result is solid, full-range soundhttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-altec-lansing-orbit-mp3-speaker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-739605788882794006Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:48:00 +00002008-10-11T09:34:48.279-07:00commutingcargobikesproduct reviews photo by flickasailor via flickr If you're looking to tool-up your bicycle as a car replacement, the Topeak Dynapack DX is worth considering. It's a trunk bag with a fully-integrated seatpost rack, allowing you to easily attach/detach the bag using a simple clip. The bag itself is a semi-rigid foam shell, large enough to accomodate a helmet and some gear (minipumps, etc.)  The ease with whichhttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/10/gear-topeak-dynapack-dx-bicycle-trunk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-5985634443117310334Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:38:00 +00002008-08-02T22:12:34.865-07:00insanitycargobikeshttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/hope-frat-house-is-downhill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-3084988780697835786Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:59:00 +00002009-01-01T14:26:00.557-08:00bikes around the worldinsanitytrailerscargobikes.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }Coal Delivery, originally uploaded by Life in Nanning.The city of Nanning, like much of China, still relies on bicycles to make everyday deliveries. Trailers carrying hundreds of pounds of cargo are not uncommon, and this one http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/global-warming-bicycle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-68458931581944038Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:14:00 +00002009-01-01T14:23:41.622-08:00bike businessesbikes around the worldcargobikesBicycles are a alternative choice in industrialized countries, but can be the backbone transportation system for a developing economy. Rwanda is a great example of how the introduction of bicycles can improve productivity and quality of life. Portand coffee house Stumptown sponsored the delivery of 400 cargo bikes to Karaba, a free-trade co-op located in the so-called "Land of a Thousand Hills." http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/video-hauling-coffee-in-rwanda.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-6769038460783708824Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:34:00 +00002008-07-25T21:41:23.560-07:00commutingfolding bicyclesAn effortless trip to the store using Bike Friday's Tikit folding bicycle: http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/paper-plastic-or-bike-friday-tikit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-5710422376072834188Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:46:00 +00002009-01-01T14:26:13.578-08:00bikes around the worldbicycle rentaltrailerscargobikesWhen IKEA set-up shop in Boston a few years ago, one of the concerns was that city dwellers (who are often car-less) might have a hard time getting to the store in Stoughton - a town on the fringes of the metro area, with no convenient public transportation.They solved this problem through a unique arrangement with Zipcar, the web-based rental car company. A mini-fleet of Zipcars served as http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/ikea-bikes-no-theyre-not-made-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-8484055163194691029Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:15:00 +00002008-07-20T14:45:13.815-07:00commutingprototypesIn the last few years, public rent-a-bike systems have been flourishing. Although the concept isn't new, the recent success of these systems has been made possible by automated lock/unlock systems, where riders can get access to a bike using a credit card. This takes labor out of the loop, and keeps bikes from being stolen. Now a designer is suggesting that these locks are, by themselves, all http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/bicycles-dont-fall-out-of-these-trees.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-3909363998967179189Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:12:00 +00002009-01-01T14:26:25.865-08:00bikes around the worldcommutingbicycle rentalMontreal will soon be joining the list of cities that integrate bicycles as a form of public transportation. This fall, the city's new Public Bike System will be stationing a pilot fleet of 30 rental bicycles in the city's major boroughs, to gauge public interest and get ready for a full roll-out next spring.Ultimately, the city plans to make 2400 bikes available at 300 pick-up points. Bikes willhttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/07/montreals-new-bicycle-rental-program.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-4376691190031660466Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:34:00 +00002008-04-26T19:55:56.023-07:00commuting.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } , originally uploaded by smchevrette. Boston is a tough city to commute into. Driving is a mess, unless you enjoy navigating horizontal rollercoasters at speeds ranging from 1mph up to the top speed of a yellow cab. Mass http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/04/mixed-mode-commuting-in-boston.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-6416647985987885586Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:24:00 +00002008-04-06T15:26:53.798-07:00.flickr-photo { border: solid 0px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 1px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Cycling through the rain, originally uploaded by PhotoA.nl. Consider a man riding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at some point hehttp://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/04/ride-your-way-through-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-2943010204010448176Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:00:00 +00002008-04-01T21:41:19.737-07:00bike businessesmessengersPlenty has been said (and alleged) about couriers darting around the world's cities. But controversy aside, courier delivery is the second biggest business on two wheels (behind bike shops) and is surviving thanks to the need for deliveries that can't be attached in an e-mail.The LifeTravis Culley wrote about the ins, outs, ups, and downs of being a courier in his autobiography, The Immortal http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/03/bicycle-couriers-surviving-hard-times.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2115838608179225161.post-6616430296699016457Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:17:00 +00002008-07-20T14:46:54.598-07:00commutingfolding bicyclesscooter thanks for the photo, 12 OrangeS! The last few posts have leaned towards bigger/sleeker/stranger variations of a working bicycle. But in the other direction we find bikes that nobody really considers to be bikes. Two wheels, human-propelled, handlebars, brake levers... and yet scooters are largely dismissed as toys. In most cases that's justfied, but the Xootr is an exception. The larger http://usingbicycles.blogspot.com/2008/03/xootr-bicycle-for-ultra-minimalist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Sherwood)4