Yay!

Now THIS is something that everyone needs- trust me!  It makes your bike ride much more enjoyable, plus, it makes your drink portable.  Which we love!

i have a Bell cup holder, but I have to tell you- I'm going to be trading it in for this one that I found at Chubby's Cruisers.  This new cup holder will hold cans and bottles as well as cups (very important!  trust me!).  Plus, it's insulated.  Holla!

Check it out:

Chubby's Cruisers Bicycle Cup Holder - White 

The Ultimate Beverage Holder

TheChubbyscruisers.com Cup Holder mounts on to the handlebars of any beachcruiser or standard bicycle. The Chubbys Cruiser bicycle cup holder isequipped with an insulated lining that will keep drinks cold while youcruise. Expands for taller cups/bottles. Self Leveling Top of Linebeverage container.

BEER, COFFEE, WATER, SODA
 
* Cruise in California Beach Style

(AHEM- EDITORS NOTE- Cruise in MIAMI beach style!!!

* Suitable for the majority of drink containers
* Fully adjustable multi-use drink holder
* Insulated with neoprene, to keep your drink cold (or hot) 3 times longer
* The fully gimbaled liquid Caddy adjusts for different container heights and diameters.

This is a cute bike, and a new, innovative tandem-style bicycle.

If any of you have ever ridden a bicycle with a kid in tow, you know that it can be a little challenging!  You can't turn easily, it's not balanced that well- and, most importantly, you can't see the kid.  I don't really love this option!  This is also why I prefer the Dutch method of putting the very little ones in a seat in FRONT of you rather than in the back.

The Love Bike is a way to maintain the fun of a bike ride, while you can stil keep an eye on the little one.  Though it won't give the same sense of independence- so make sure you spend time teaching him or her how to ride his OWN bike, soon!!

Click on the logo to bring you to the Love Bike website.  You know that I am a big fan of new bike ideas- and the 70's feel of the website is cute.  Enjoy!

Welcome to the World of the Love Bike
The Cycling Family's Dream Come True

When we were in Maine this past summer, we spent a lot of time with my little goddaughter, who is six years old.  One of our summer projects was to get her on her bicycle- not just occasionally, but on a regular basis.  As Dursun is Dutch, his NINE nieces and nephews (yes, nine!  I am an Auntie to many!) all ride their bikes everywhere!

While this is just a fact of life in Holland- and it's much more difficult to ride your bike everywhere in Maine- I cannot stress the importance of getting your kids on their bicycles!  If they start early, they will not only have amazing, healthy exercise on a daily basis, but they will also have the feeling of much-needed (albeit) supervised) independence!

I remember going on long bike rides with my family, when I was very young, and loving it.  In fact, my mother used to bike me around Chicago when we lived there until I was four!

Anyhow, this cookie cutter is a great way to get the "bike fever" going in the house.  What's more fun than making cookies, other than making BICYCLE SHAPED COOKIES!!!

You can get them at the awesome Cookie Cutter Shop, or check out your local kitchen store.  Enjoy!

Today on facebook, I read a sad post about this person in Miami who had their Electra Amsterdam stolen in Miami Beach.  As I also have an Electra Amsterdam, I immediately felt empathy for this person.  WHY do people steal bicycles?  There are so many great bikes in the world, can't you just get your own?  Also, considering the bicycle was at least $800 retail, I'm sure the owner would rather give the $30 to the crackhead that stole it, and get their bike back!

SO, I digress- the reason that I thought this article was so GREAT for our blog is that the post is an EXCELLENT example of how incredibly UN-friendly Miami can be to the urban cyclist.  Said blogger relates their attempt to ride a bus with his bike- and details how the bus driver made no attempt to help, and then proceeded to RUN OVER the bike when it fell off in traffic!

You know what?  This has happened to me, too!  (Except the unfortunate running-over part).  The bus drivers, when they aren't trying to run you over, certainly do not spend one iota of energy to try and help you if you do make the fateful decision to bring your bike on the bus.  It's pathetic.

Here's a little indication of this poor commuter's day... and a photo of the stolen bike.  Ahhhh.. Miami.

A Bad Start to the Commute

The bike held ok for the ride, swinging back and forth as the driverhit the brakes and accelerated along the route (in that oh-so-softlyway that MDT bus drivers hit the pedals, like they really get a kick ofseeing everything and everyone on the bus swing wildly back-and-forth).I hit the signal for my stop at 135 St & Biscayne,and as we’re slowing down, the bike slipped off backwards from the busbike rack. The locking mechanism of the rack had slipped off the frontwheel and thus the bike was left without anything holding it in place.The bike was hit by the bus (thankfully as it was slowing down),pushing it into the next lane of traffic (the middle one).

The bike suffered some scratches, one of the panniers was scratchedheavily, and both wheels got bent to the point that the bike could notbe ridden. The driver called in and reported the incident, and thenleft.

One of the reasons that I love riding my bicycle is that I feel good about the fact that I am my own personal power source.  Another reason I love riding my bike, however, is that I am not driving a car- it's better for the environment to ride a bike.  Also, when you are not driving around a huge car, you actually start to reconsider what you are going to buy when you have to bring it home!

The New York Times featured an article in today's (Sunday) times with a great piece about the rise of the electric bicycle.  According to the article, over 1/3rd of all the bicycles sold in the Netherlands last year were electric!! 

Read the full article at the New York Times:

An Electric Boost for Bicyclists

And then, of course, I thought to myself... hmm... What if I wanted to buy an electric bicycle?  What would mine look like?  YOu can't roll around town in a bike that looks like everyone else, right?  So I was super happy to find the PEDEGO website.  Oh my god this one is SO cute!!!
Balloon tires?  15-30 miles per hour?  $1875.00?  Well... that's not so cute.  But hey, it's better than a car!

Are you ready to see the coolest electric bike yet?

Check it out at the PEDEGO website!

Motor	Brushless Gearless Hub Motor on Rear wheel
Power	500 Watt
Gears & Speeds	6 Speed Shimano Gears
Batteries	Lightweight Lithium in a Removable Pack
Shifter	Shimano SIS Index® Shifter
Charger	Smart Charger Included
Amps	10 AMP Hour
Volts	36 Volt
Tires	Kenda 26" x 2.30" K-RAD Urban Tires
Speed	20 MPH using motor power only
Distance	15 - 30 miles per charge(depending on rider weight & terrain)
Throttle Type	Twist Throttle Variable Speed Control
Frame Type	6061 Light Weight Aluminum
Handlebars	Cruiser Style with Promax Stem
Braking System	Avid BB-7 Front Disc Brakes and Dia-Compe Rear Hub Brake
Drive System	Rear Hub Motor (Motor is in rear wheel)
Measurements	Wheel to Wheel -35" W-13" H-39"
Seat	Padded Adjustable Seat Height 33" to 39"
Bell	Standard
Battery Indicator	On Handlebars
Warranty	1 Year

Thanks to the people over at World of Wonder for posting this awesome photo of Tavi Gevinson chilling in her bicycle basket.
Could this photo be any more adorable?
Tavi is the newest, hottest addition to the fashion world, bringing her 13- year old eye to a very jaded industry.  I love it!

This old Schwinn is perfect- it reminds me of the green one that I used to rock when I lived in Park Slope!  Now, while I do love those wire baskets, I have to say that she could really use some NO BIKES ALLOWED bike bags on the back!!


Check out the photo:

Read the full article at World of Wonder

Wow, those Northern Europeans and Scandinavians are ALWAYS coming up with the fun stuff!  This Carrie basket isn't new, but I LOVE it!
I'm still debating whether or not to buy this, because I impost some serious wear and tear on my basket... but, then again, that's why I have my bicycle BAGS, right? 

Check out the cute green version, and find it at

DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM

As you may have noticed, we have been a bit out of touch lately.  It's been very busy, as we are in the process of trying to find a new manufacturer as well as investors.. it can be a big challenge, to have a great idea and then to try and execute it!

But now we are back on track and we will certainly be updating our blog more regularly... in fact, the website should go live SOON!!

Anyhow, I was cruising Ebay when I came upon this gorgeous pin.  I want it!  How cute?? 
If you decide that YOU want it.. check it out here on Ebay!

 

This is so cute.  I had to share!

DAISY BIKE SHOPPER, 2 BEAUTIFUL ALUMINIUM BIKES, JOINED SIDE BY SIDE, WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED, REMOVABLE KIT (takes 3 minutes to separate without tools) AND BECOMES 2 BIKES AGAIN.,IDEAL FOR PEOPLE WITH BALANCE PROBLEMS WHO NEED EXERCISE, ANYONE CAN RIDE THIS BIKE, WITH OR WITHOUT A CO PILOT., IT HAS 2 SHOPPING BASKETS, FRONT AND BACK, RIDE IT WITH YOUR SWEETHEART TO THE STORE AND GET YOUR GROCERIES, RIDE IT ALONG THE BEACH TOO., SEE HOW THE PEOPLE STARE AT YOU WITH ENVY, ITS CHEAP TO RUN AND DOESN'T NEED A LICENSE. call 954 925 1737 Hollywood

A lot of things have changed since I've lived in Miami.  One of them is that the city of Miami is actually acknowledging that a LOT of people ride their bicycles for both commuter and pleasure purposes.  I have been watching many additions and I am very excited to see that the city of Miami's website actually has an entire section dedicated to us humble bicycle lovers.

Check this out!

READ MORE AT THE WEBSITE




 

Miami is committed to becoming a Bicycle Friendly City by 2012. The advancement of bicycle routes and facilities will create a full array of accommodations for cyclists allowing cycling to be an easy alternative to automobile use or for recreational enjoyment of our city. Miami will be a safe place to ride a bicycle creating a more livable and vibrant City for residents and tourists.

And, this weekend...