Candy Cranks

Assembly Required: One Peace at a Time from Bikes Not Bombs on Vimeo.

This short video shows part of the story of Bikes not Bombs, a charity in Boston, MA. Bikes not bombs has seen the donation of tens of thousands of bicycles to youth programs and charities from Boston to Ghana.

Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 23 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB’s programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling thousands of bicycles.

This film is (C) 2008, Allegra Anderson

Veja and Cyclope, the first cycle shop in Paris to specialise in fixed-gear, have joined forces to create an exclusive fixed gear trainer.
- Made of ecological materials.
- Limited Edition: 384 pairs.
- Available in store from the 1st February 2010 at Offspring Neal Street (London) and Paper Scissors Stone* (Leeds)
- Pre-order at Paper Scissors Stone from Wednesday 27th January.
- £95

*Brainchild of Artist Si Scott and The Electronic Poet’s Steve Banks, Paper Scissors Stone is an eclectic mixture of concept store and exhibition space.

I participated in several craft sales this November and December, and part of the process included moving my wares by bike with the help of my trusty fella. Our sturdy xtracycle once again came in handy for carrying crafty goodies, including the mannequin/judy. We were lucky to have fantastic weather this fall, aside from a week of torrential rain, which made it easy to get around our wonderful city every weekend to set up for another show.

This year I noticed many customers arriving with helmets and panniers in tow.What a great autumn activity! Find out where and when the craft sales are happening in your city and plan an afternoon with a friend riding around and getting your holiday shopping done, all while supporting local artists and craftspeople.

Loading the bike

Judy - strapped in and secure

My fella, ready to ride to another show

My booth at the Round House Urban Artisans’ Fair

‘Tens of thousands of people from nearly every nation on earth have descended on Copenhagen this month for the UN climate summit. As the delegates try to piece together a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they’re also absorbing lessons from one of the world’s leading cities in sustainable transportation. In Copenhagen, fully 37 percent of commute trips are made by bike, and mode share among city residents alone is even higher.’

More info here.

Photo from NYC.gov

Good news for NYC bike commuters! The Bicycle Access to Office Buildings Law just went into effect on December 11th, 2009, whereby allowing cyclists the opportunity to park their bikes in or close to the workplace.

This is great news to make life easier for current commuters and to encourage would-be commuters. (After you’ve survived the harrowing NYC morning commute, the last thing you want to worry about is a secure space to park your bike.)

For the law to apply, your employer needs to be located in a commercial office building with at least one freight elevator.

Of course, if there is no freight elevator accessible, you can still ask your employer if you can carry your bike up the stairs. (I once worked for a company that allowed us to park our bikes in the basement. When the basement was no longer available, we carried them up the stairs to an unused part of the office. People may complain about damage/wall smudges, so be careful with your tires on the landings.)

If you use this new program, or if you have an employer who has offered a helpful solution to accommodate your bike, let us know!

As the crowd chanted “Coal Coal. Coal must go. To make our emissions Low Low Low!” I took in the sites. There was the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd bathing in coal. There was a Kevin Rudd Santa with a sack of coal for Xmas. And there was a Bicycle Pixie, fighting the crowd of people to deliver a slay full of coal to the little kiddies.

Yep.. I rocked up last minute to strut some protest for climate change and I was amazed at how many people brought their bikes as their partner in crime. Mostly people were just walking with them as if their bikes were another limb but still this took effort to avoid crashes in a congested crowd. But they did! And I thought that was rad.

I do wonder however when bikes become a protest tool for raging at the government? Apparently they send a message by themselves. I mean I know bicycles have had an “eco” tag for a long time but has anyone else notice just how much they have become an icon recently?

More info here on this cool hand built frame that is being retired after a good 5 years of riding.

Check out this reclaimed bike rack by cantilever and press from Vancouver.

FIRE: Meg surprised me at my doorstep. My world turned hazy as it took me longer than usual to grasp something. To release that she was indeed holding only one thing that would send me burning…my new CANDY CRANKS bike!
WATER: I let the shock run into the distance as I checked it out. My mouth watered and I felt sleazy as I ran my hand over the bike and soaked in the beautiful craftsmanship of Primate Frames.
EARTH: Leonardo De Vinci claimed, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” and this guided my bikes understated colour scheme and wood finish rims.
WIND: Light as an eagles feather this chief of transport flew me. My heart truly beating like a jungle drum.…In life I strive to find balance between the beauty of the natural world and the man-made world. The photos above where taken around my neighborhood as I tried to combine both elements of natural and man-made beauty through colour, line and texture. This was the influence behind the creation of my bike.

Marie’s post inspired me to post a link to a map of the Nashville greenway routes. I’ve done quite a few rides, some of them totaling over 40 miles, utilizing the greenways. I have to say, they’re certainly one of the best things about Nashville. There are multiple long, car free, gorgeous, scenic routes along the Cumberland River. Click the image to view the full pdf file.

As part of the Das rote Paket’s Ready-Made Light contest, entrants were asked to create a ready-made light that works with a low-enegry bulb from prefab parts not costing more than 40 euros. The catch is that others have to be able to easily replicate the design. Anton Kerner of Ingolstadt created the Lampe Gummilumi out of an old bike tire (among other things). Sweet!

For more info on the project and contest…

Sure lime, olive and jade coloured bikes are all fresh. So radical I see them on your rims, hubs and bars. But sorry guerrilla man, I’m one up ya. You see I got the latest for you freedom fighter! Hear me now because It’s GREEN bikes will have you on the streets being ‘all’ revolutionary. You got that little geezer? It’s time you stop pedalling so I found these ones for you to sit in and you can listen to your music box.

 here….

Bicycle Furniture 

Found browsing apartmenttherapy

In Victoria BC, a group called Pedal to Petal is helping people compost their kitchen scraps. For $5 a week the group will stop by to pick up your compost by bike! Once the scraps are composted, the compost is used around the city in organic food gardens. All in all, it’s a great program that I’m sure we’ll see popping up in other cities as bikes become a bigger part of everyday life and the local food movement grows.

Ever gotten stuck in the city with a flat tyer? Did you happen to forget your mini repair kit at home? Did you find that your friends were busy and the bike stores were too far away? Well if by chance it ever happens again, don’t fret - drop into Digital Eskimo Lvl 2, 44 Foster Street, Surry Hills. They are opposite the wall café. (Design agency) 

 Digital Eskimo has unveiled its latest sustainability initiative: our company bicycle parking and repair station. We’ve converted our single car space into parking for up to ten bikes, with a bike repair station catering to the needs of Digital Eskimo’s fleet and the local Surry Hills community.

If you ride a bike and you work or live in Surry Hills, you know the bike stores have all moved away – making even a flat tyre a real hassle. Basic bike maintenance is also difficult when you live in an apartment (as I do!) and do not have access to basic tools and an area you can make a wee bit of mess in. A good set of tools should be shared as well, so by providing this service we’re hoping to cut down on the need for everyone to buy their own repair tools.

So if you need help with a problem with your bike just buzz the doorbell and a Digital Eskimo will come down and give you a hand. Oh, and air is provided at no charge!


Moments are in the twinkling of an eye or the spinning of a wheel. Last night, I was commuting home when I came across a baby possum clinging to it’s mother. At first they startled me but quickly the creatures registered and I was totally enthralled. I took a moment to stop, let them pass safely and appreciate their adorability! It’s moments such as these that drivers completely miss out on.

Once upon a time I had a conversation with a mate. He was opposed to bike riders “they don’t pay registration, they don’t pay attention to road rules, they don’t…..”

But what can I do? I thought to myself. Sure I could throw out some facts and figures but it would just end up in a heated debate. Or I could tie him up, take him to the end of the world and stone him to death. But then, it could get exhausting if I had to stone everyone who differed in opinion. Plus he is the type of guy you don’t mess with. So I let it go.

6 months later I invited him to join me at Greenups - Bike event. Knowing it really wasn’t his thing, I was stoked he’d came along. The night was more about a beer and a laugh with an old mate. But we walked in and the place was smashing with people. I was honestly shocked by the big turn out. The night went on and a few beers later I made a comment about the ‘conversation’ we once had. He turned and looked at me and said ” you know what, I don’t yell at bike riders anymore because when I look at them I think it might be you.”   I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but I was certainly moved. 

In conclusion, perhaps just being yourself is all that’s required and change will come…slowly. 

Boston selected the Public Bike System Company to set up it’s bike share program modeled after the Bixi bike in Montreal.

‘So GreenUps, what is it? On the first Tuesday of every month we take over a bar or venue in the inner city and host social event designed to gather together a diverse and creative mix of different people interested in green, environmental and sustainability issues. The night is designed to broad spectrum, irreverent and fun (and free), and we are deliberately apolitical and inclusive.

Every month we ‘theme’ the night around a green issue or topic, with the intended result that it helps engage with particular sections of the community enticing them in to join in. The next event is a celebration of Bike Culture, we’ve got a bike valet (thanks to city of sydney), bike films, photograpy showing,  lighting talks on bikes and related green issues, and lots of giveaways and prizes.’

Yay! Go Sydney, go you good, green thing! Unfortunately I won’t be in Sydney to attend but it looks like it will be a great night! More info.