DIY Cycling » Industry

Collapsible Bikes: Fun or Folly?

Frank — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:40:25 +0000

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a collapsible bicycle are those goofy looking travel bikes with tiny wheels. And then I saw this:

Folding Bicycle

Sure it’s only a concept, but wow! It looks good. Could it really be safe? Look at how the wheels fold:

Collapsing Wheel

If nothing else, it’s a definite good start. I’ve been waiting to see bicycle production go in new directions. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t look like it’d be too easy to take apart. .

Would you ride a collapsible bicycle? Let us know in the comments!

[Gizmodo via Treehugger]

From Bicycle Couriers to Coffee Delivery: The World of Every Day Cycling

Bicycle Couriers. . In a City Near You

Frank — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:24 +0000

Bicycle Couriers (also known as Bike Messengers) may not be your first thought when considering logistics or choosing a parcel delivery service. There are, however, many compelling reasons that you (or your business) should use bicycle couriers instead of other courier services (aside from the fact that most of them will even bring you your lunch).

In previous posts I’ve mentioned EcoTrack Couriers of Oklahoma City, as well as several other uses of bicycles in business. Time to bring notice to a few more:

New York Bike Messengers Association (New York City)
The NYMBA is a worker’s alliance of bicycle messengers whose mission is to “unite, represent and advocate for the bike couriers of New York City.” Not only do they act as advocates, they organize rides (often for charity) geared toward bringing bike messengers from NYC together.

Breakaway Bicycle Couriers (Milwaukee)
Breakaway Bicycle Couriers brings you great rates and deliveries by a team of cyclists who not only ride their routes, but also compete nationally. Expect fast, cheap, water-proof, co2-free service.

Godspeed Couriers (San Francisco)
Godspeed Couriers, operating since 1999, is made up of “a group of highly skilled bicycle messengers, amateur road racers, and experienced motorists who all love to be good at what they do.” They claim to bring you dependable rush-time service and won a “best of SF 2009″ award.

Velocity Bicycle Couriers (Charlotte, NC)
Velocity provides reliable, efficient, and friendly courier service in uptown Charlotte, specializing in legal offices. They’re flexible, however, willing to take on any job with a smile.

Are you a courier? Does your city have bike messengers? Let us know in the comments!

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From Bicycle Couriers to Coffee Delivery: The World of Every Day Cycling

Frank — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:28:15 +0000

Bicycle Courier

In my recent post about the comeback of Bicycle Couriers, I wrote about Oklahoma City’s Ecotrack Bicycle Couriers. This got me thinking about what other ways bicycle’s are being used in every day business and industry. After doing some research I found a few company’s using bicycles in innovative ways, as well as some food for thought in how they can be used to make our city’s more bicycle friendly.

Here’s what I found:

De La Paz Coffee Delivery

The Coffeecycle

Let’s face it, coffee is part of almost everybody’s morning ritual. And who wouldn’t want it delivered directly to them? De La Paz Coffee performs an impressive feat by delivering ALL of their coffee in San Francisco by bicycle. I’m impressed. They have a pretty sweet setup for their delivery bike too. Looks like they’ve taken a basic front rack and attached two large buckets. Pure Genius!

Meals on (two) Wheels

Many of you have heard of Meals on Wheels. But have you heard of Meals on Two Wheels?

Meals on Two Wheels takes the basic idea of Meals on Wheels (to provide hot meals to shut ins) and makes it eco-friendly.

Here’s how it works:
You sign up for the program, and they do all the rest. After you are approved for delivery, the organization provides you with a route and a trailer (A modified Burley flatbed trailer). On the trailer you have a two coolers, one for hot and one for cold foods. You then ride your route, delivering the meals.

Here’s a picture of blogger Rick Glos‘s (who writes more about his experience here) Meals on Two Wheels rig.

Meals on Two Wheels Bicycle Rig

These are the best examples I found of bicycles being used in every day industry, but I would definitely like to see more! How does your city use bicycles? How can we make them more common in every day use? Remember, more cycles = fewer accidents. Tell us about how your city uses bicycles in the comments!