Always having second thoughts about cycling, because the bicycle & gear seems very unfashionable? Take a look at these:
Photo: Wall Street Journal
Click here for more cool accessories!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Dutch Way: Bicycles and Fresh Bread
This article appeared in the New York Times on July 30:
AS an American who has been living here for several years, I am struck, every time I go home, by the way American cities remain manacled to the car. While Europe is dealing with congestion and greenhouse gas buildup by turning urban centers into pedestrian zones and finding innovative ways to combine driving with public transportation, many American cities are carving out more parking spaces. It’s all the more bewildering because America’s collapsing infrastructure would seem to cry out for new solutions.
Geography partly explains the difference: America is spread out, while European cities predate the car. But Boston and Philadelphia have old centers too, while the peripheral sprawl in London and Barcelona mirrors that of American cities.
More important, I think, is mind-set. Take bicycles. The advent of bike lanes in some American cities may seem like a big step, but merely marking a strip of the road for recreational cycling spectacularly misses the point. In Amsterdam, nearly everyone cycles, and cars, bikes and trams coexist in a complex flow, with dedicated bicycle lanes, traffic lights and parking garages. But this is thanks to a different way of thinking about transportation...
For the full article, click here.
AS an American who has been living here for several years, I am struck, every time I go home, by the way American cities remain manacled to the car. While Europe is dealing with congestion and greenhouse gas buildup by turning urban centers into pedestrian zones and finding innovative ways to combine driving with public transportation, many American cities are carving out more parking spaces. It’s all the more bewildering because America’s collapsing infrastructure would seem to cry out for new solutions.
Geography partly explains the difference: America is spread out, while European cities predate the car. But Boston and Philadelphia have old centers too, while the peripheral sprawl in London and Barcelona mirrors that of American cities.
More important, I think, is mind-set. Take bicycles. The advent of bike lanes in some American cities may seem like a big step, but merely marking a strip of the road for recreational cycling spectacularly misses the point. In Amsterdam, nearly everyone cycles, and cars, bikes and trams coexist in a complex flow, with dedicated bicycle lanes, traffic lights and parking garages. But this is thanks to a different way of thinking about transportation...
For the full article, click here.
Friday, June 10, 2011
High-tech cycling clothes eliminate the need for a shower and change of clothes
According to the Los Angeles Times...
"Cyclists no longer have to arrive at their destination looking like a wet rag and needing a shower. As more people take to commuting and traveling by bike -- for both health and environmental reasons -- some clothing companies are stepping up, offering office-ready clothes that don't have to be wrung out upon arrival.
Thank technology for the ability to create or enhance street wear fabrics that not only stretch, but keep perspiration away from the body, resist water and dirt, and retain heat with little insulation. Companies such as Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company Outlier design stylish menswear perfect for cyclists with features like pants with waistbands that are higher in back (so riders can lean forward without revealing too much) and back pockets that riders don't have to sit on while cycling.
Guess who else is getting in on the action? Levi's. The venerable San Francisco company introduces its Commuter Series: a 511 Skinny Jean (full length and cropped) and Trucker Jacket specially designed for cyclists. Features include a Nanosphere treatment that resists water and dirt, antimicrobial properties and reflective material. A raised back yolk on the pants prevents too much skin from showing, a handy waist tab holds a U-lock, and they're reinforced at the crotch, back pockets and belt loops. The jacket has an iPod pocket in front and a longer tail in back. Retail prices range from $68 to $128, and the clothes will be in Levi's stores in July and at Urban Outfitters stores in August."
For the rest of the article, read here.
Looking forward to see these available widely in Singapore! At affordable prices of $20 to $30 too :)
"Cyclists no longer have to arrive at their destination looking like a wet rag and needing a shower. As more people take to commuting and traveling by bike -- for both health and environmental reasons -- some clothing companies are stepping up, offering office-ready clothes that don't have to be wrung out upon arrival.
Thank technology for the ability to create or enhance street wear fabrics that not only stretch, but keep perspiration away from the body, resist water and dirt, and retain heat with little insulation. Companies such as Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company Outlier design stylish menswear perfect for cyclists with features like pants with waistbands that are higher in back (so riders can lean forward without revealing too much) and back pockets that riders don't have to sit on while cycling.
Guess who else is getting in on the action? Levi's. The venerable San Francisco company introduces its Commuter Series: a 511 Skinny Jean (full length and cropped) and Trucker Jacket specially designed for cyclists. Features include a Nanosphere treatment that resists water and dirt, antimicrobial properties and reflective material. A raised back yolk on the pants prevents too much skin from showing, a handy waist tab holds a U-lock, and they're reinforced at the crotch, back pockets and belt loops. The jacket has an iPod pocket in front and a longer tail in back. Retail prices range from $68 to $128, and the clothes will be in Levi's stores in July and at Urban Outfitters stores in August."
For the rest of the article, read here.
Looking forward to see these available widely in Singapore! At affordable prices of $20 to $30 too :)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tourists go night cycling
No matter how much you know about Singapore, there's always something to discover. Even someone who had already been to Singapore seventeen times (yes, 17) discovered a lot on his first night cycling trip!
Siddhesh Pradhan wrote in the Deccan Chronicle:
"Singapore’s always been one of my favourite places in the world. I’ve been there a record 17 times in my 18 years of existence! I thought I knew quite a bit of the country but as I discovered on my latest trip, I knew nothing! Apart from the usual tourist attractions like Sentosa, Jurong Bird Park, The Merlion near Esplanade, Singapore Zoo, the more recent eye-catchers are the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Singapore Flyer which is the country’s version of the London Eye. I had seen it all.
A very dear friend of mine studies in Singapore and I was sure he’d have something planned. I took the MRT (the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Singapore) to Sommerset station on Orchard Road. My friend was waiting outside 313 Sommerset with two of his classmates. I wasn’t sure what the plan for the evening was but it turned out to be the best night of my life!"
For the full article, click here.
Siddhesh Pradhan wrote in the Deccan Chronicle:
"Singapore’s always been one of my favourite places in the world. I’ve been there a record 17 times in my 18 years of existence! I thought I knew quite a bit of the country but as I discovered on my latest trip, I knew nothing! Apart from the usual tourist attractions like Sentosa, Jurong Bird Park, The Merlion near Esplanade, Singapore Zoo, the more recent eye-catchers are the Marina Bay Sands hotel and the Singapore Flyer which is the country’s version of the London Eye. I had seen it all.
A very dear friend of mine studies in Singapore and I was sure he’d have something planned. I took the MRT (the cheapest and most convenient way to get around Singapore) to Sommerset station on Orchard Road. My friend was waiting outside 313 Sommerset with two of his classmates. I wasn’t sure what the plan for the evening was but it turned out to be the best night of my life!"
For the full article, click here.
Cycling to Malaysia
MORE Singaporeans are going the distance for cycling. To Malaysia, to be exact.
Some are even helping organise cycling trips for other Singaporeans.
Cycling enthusiast Mark Cheong, 27, observed: "Two years ago at the annual Pedalholic Cycling Club Interstate ride in Malaysia, there were about five Singaporeans. This year, there were about 55."
...
For the full article in the New Paper, click here.
Some are even helping organise cycling trips for other Singaporeans.
Cycling enthusiast Mark Cheong, 27, observed: "Two years ago at the annual Pedalholic Cycling Club Interstate ride in Malaysia, there were about five Singaporeans. This year, there were about 55."
...
For the full article in the New Paper, click here.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Netherlands to Install Solar Panels on Bike Lanes
alttransport reports:
======
Bicycling has several advantages: It reduces the number of cars on the road, cutting emissions and traffic; it makes you healthier; and during rush hour traffic, it’s faster than your car. Now Netherlands has decided to take the advantages of bicycling one step further — by installing solar panels on bike lanes.
The government of North Holland will be placing solar panels on a cycle path near the town of Krommenie, near Amsterdam.
Called Solaroad, the project will be installed in 2012, and is expected to generate 50 kWh per square meter per year. The electricity will be used for street lighting, traffic systems, or for household use. The way this works: thick concrete blocks are covered in a 1cm thick layer of silicon solar cells, which are then protected by toughed glass, allowing bikers to ride on the bike lanes. The project has been developed by the TNO research institute along with the Province of North Holland, the Ooms Avenhorn Group and Imtech.
Now if people find a way to produce solar energy on roads to power electric cars — we may soon move past our need for gasoline!
======
Singapore has no lack of sunlight. This could be one way to keep electricity costs down and promote healthy living!
======
Bicycling has several advantages: It reduces the number of cars on the road, cutting emissions and traffic; it makes you healthier; and during rush hour traffic, it’s faster than your car. Now Netherlands has decided to take the advantages of bicycling one step further — by installing solar panels on bike lanes.
The government of North Holland will be placing solar panels on a cycle path near the town of Krommenie, near Amsterdam.
Called Solaroad, the project will be installed in 2012, and is expected to generate 50 kWh per square meter per year. The electricity will be used for street lighting, traffic systems, or for household use. The way this works: thick concrete blocks are covered in a 1cm thick layer of silicon solar cells, which are then protected by toughed glass, allowing bikers to ride on the bike lanes. The project has been developed by the TNO research institute along with the Province of North Holland, the Ooms Avenhorn Group and Imtech.
Now if people find a way to produce solar energy on roads to power electric cars — we may soon move past our need for gasoline!
======
Singapore has no lack of sunlight. This could be one way to keep electricity costs down and promote healthy living!
Lakeside-Taman Jurong cycling path unveiled
SINGAPORE: Cycling between Lakeside MRT station and Taman Jurong Town hub is now easier and safer, with a new dedicated cycling path. The 1.4-kilometre path was completed and unveiled on Sunday morning by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. From Lakeside train station, the path runs parallel to Yuan Ching Road, along Jurong Lake Park and on to Taman Jurong Town hub.
Click here to see the full report by Channel NewsAsia.
Click here to see the full report by Channel NewsAsia.
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