The internet waves generated earlier this week over Strava’s user data heatmaps we’re both exciting and frustrating to those of us who have been waiting for the technology revolution to catch up with smart route mapping for cyclists. It was exciting because it is definitely a sign of momentum, but frustrating in that there is…
3 Years ago today, we launched what I can audaciously describe as CommuteByBike.com’s version of a GoogleX moonshot. The project was christened J.O.Y.B.A.G.® (That’s, Jump On Your Bike And Go). Our mission was to figure out what it would take for a bicycle to be as convenient and user friendly as a car. Given that…
It’s more and more common to see electric bikes on the roads these days. I must admit, I sometimes get pangs of purist thought when it comes to electric bikes. I mean, I can pedal, so why would I cheat? But honestly, electric bikes are the way to go in so many cases. And an…
You know those guys who go a year without breaking a sweat? Youve seen them walking, bellies a swingin, from one boring meeting to the next in some sprawling city where people get lost in thoughts about whether there is more to life than this. Well, unfortunately, you can do that in these pants if…
The development of serious and dedicated bicycle infrastructure is a requirement for any car centric culture, such as the US, to be able to get people utilizing bicycles for transportation in any serious way. The Netherlands and Denmark are the best examples of this. As a US based bicycle advocate, this is a depressing reality. …
I don’t know what it is about cargo bikes, but they do have a funny way of getting into your heart. I’ve had a lot of bikes comes and go from my life over the years, but there is one I miss more than any of the others and that’s my old Xtracycle. The Xtracycle…
I’m sure that our loyal readers have noticed some decline in the regularity of our posting here at CommuteByBike.com after the departure of Ted Johnson, our ponderous and insightful editor and marketing expert here at www.CampfireCycling.com. In his wake we’ve been working to come up with a new strategy for maintaining and growing this blog. …
Our family has just celebrated one year living in Tucson, Arizona. There are a lot of great things about Tucson, but as a cycling family, one of the things we have enjoyed most is the nearly year-round cycling season. Granted, our first summer was a bit of a rough adjustment (toasted bums on blazing hot…
Spring has officially arrived, though many of you may not exactly feel too springy yet, since the weather has continued to be pretty harsh throughout most of the country. Although here in Arizona, we’ve been having one of the warmest, driest winters on record, so we’ve been watching the rest of the country shiver while…
As best I can, I try to keep an eye out for new bicycle commuting or utility cycling themed videos throughout the week. Fortunately, when a new video pops up, it usually makes an appearance on a handful of bicycling blogs and websites, so they are pretty easy to find. Today, this video popped up…
Bike Infrastructure Innovation: Protected Intersections
Share the Love: Watch Out for Cyclists
Pretty weird title for an article, eh? Doesn’t sound like two things which would have anything to do with each other, does it? Oh, but they have a lot to do with each other, at least as far as my own health is concerned, and it will take me a little bit to explain. I…
I’m a little late to the party on this one, but there were some interesting bike sharing related headlines floating around in the last few weeks that warrant a little discussion. Ironically, here I am writing about bike sharing again when I admitted recently to never having used a bike sharing system myself. I’m not…
Dorcy Hawkeye Bicycle Lighting Somewhere out there exists market research that identifies the primary purchasers and users of bicycle lighting. I couldnt find that research after a five minute Google search but Im too stressed out to look for it. As a graduate student in my final semester of school, I know how to…
Urban legend: a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true [Wikipedia]. Urban legends permeate our lives. Many towns, groups, parents, teachers, spouses, you name it, have some kind of urban legend they use to make points, create feelings, or just entertain….
Former top pro mountain bike racer Dara Marks Marino now coaches cyclists and triathletes through TheMindfulAthlete.net. Most of her commuting these days is with a trail-a-bike. Picture it: the National Mountain Bike Pro Cross Country race in Aspen, CO, circa 2005. This was my course. Climb for an hour, descend fast and furious. Repeat. I…
First things first. Happy New Year all you Commute by Bike Readers! I’m not exactly one for making new year’s resolutions. Why not make resolve to do something differently any day of the year? Plus, most people don’t even make it to February with their resolutions. Maybe that’s because many resolutions are too big or…
Last month, following the rash of cycling fatalities in London over a two week period, I composed a post called Learning from London (Or Are We?) in which I reviewed and critiqued the reactions of the media, the mayor and a former Olympic cyclist. My point, that there isn’t a single type of road user…
I want to start this post by sharing a little secret of mine. Perhaps it’s not a secret so much as an admission, but I think it’s relevant to the content of this post nonetheless. Here goes – I have never used a bike sharing system. For starters, I’ve never lived in a city that…
The Copenhagen Wheel is Here
Hi, everyone. This is my latest product review for Commute by Bike (and this time, we wade into controversial waters!) All my friends and family know, often to their irritation and embarrassment, that I never shy away from controversy, even if paid to do so (which I havent been). My three favorite topics to bring…
Its that time of year again. That time of year for wallowing in the gift giving ambiguities of consumerism, generosity and self-interest. We are here to help you through this mess with some clear and concise holiday gift related strategies. #1: Consumerism: Attack this problem head on by tying consumerism to products that help…
Six cyclists have died in London in two weeks. This cant possibly be breaking news for anyone who is reading a cycling blog (or reading in general) as this rash of fatalities has been widely covered by major news outlets from every conceivable angle. BBC News alone has published pieces such as London Cycle Deaths:…
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