Columbus Rides Bikes!

Google relies on user-submitted complaints to continually improve its maps. If the turn-by-turn directions tell you to turn left at an intersection where lefts are forbidden, for instance, you can report the problem, and engineers at Google's  Project Ground Truth  will adjust their data accordingly. In  this new video  (above), the Wall Street Journal's Christopher Mims dug up an interesting fact about this system: cyclists contribute disproportionately more complaints than anyone else. Google hasn't released hard data, but told Mims that cyclists are "fanatical" contributors to the system. [Keep reading at Vox]

Our ultimate family cargo bike designed for high performance and long-term durability. IT'S ELECTRIC Features a 350 watt BionX assist system, Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic brakes, and the full suite of Xtracycle Family accessories.   BIONX FEATURES 350 WATT REAR HUB MOTOR The PL-350 System by BionX, paired with their largest battery, will propel you up hills at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.  Regenerative braking can increase battery range up to 10%. EdgeRunner's 20-inch back wheel increases the thrust and efficiency of the BionX system, yielding more miles per charge.  INTUITIVE TORQUE SENSING ASSIST & REGENERATIVE BRAKING The BionX system senses the amount of power you are generating when pedaling, and then multiplies it (you set the amount).  The effect is seamless - acceleration is quick & smooth.  Handlebar mounted throttle can bring you to top speed in seconds. EdgeRunner places the battery

The Silo – a pannier that’s as comfortable on singletrack as it is on a road. Lightweight, water resistant, durable, and most importantly, built in the bikepacking style. Sometimes a rackless bikepacking setup just doesn’t have enough capacity, and you need a little more. Long water carries or long distances between resupply points, for example. Unfortunately regular panniers aren’t always up to the task.  Rigid rack attachments are prone to metal fatigue, and shifting weight can throw off your balance. The silo remedies these problems by using velcro and an innovative system of compression straps. Everything is flexible, so there’s nothing to snap when you hit the 500th rock of the day. And the compression straps mean that your gear is stable and won’t shift on you and throw off your riding, even on the roughest singletrack. They are made with Xpac VX-42 fabric, which is very durable and waterproof.  The seams are tape-sealed, and the closure is a roll-top, so the bags should

Oru Kayak 2014 Assembly Video from Oru Kayak on Vimeo . The original Oru Kayak, launched on Kickstarter and now in retailers around the world; it’s even the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. On the water the Bay glides like a dream. It's stable enough for beginners, while the length and contouring make it fast and sporty for expert kayakers. There's plenty of room to stash gear (or a picnic) for day trips and short camping excursions. Best of all, transforming it from box to boat takes just a few minutes.  FEATURES -Comfortable foam seat and fully-adjustable backrest -Easy-to-close watertight seams -2 rubber deck straps for extra gear -Easy-to-adjust footrest -Reinforced cockpit for easy entry -Pair of bulkheads for extra rigidity -Simple and intuitive strap and buckle closure system -Fits standard spray skirts (size medium)

Some towns aim to become more “walkable.” One Colorado town has gone the two-wheeled route by becoming more “mountain bike-able.” Eagle, Colorado, a 7,000-person town between Vail and Aspen ,  already has its share of walking paths and bike lanes, but its newest project will allow mountain bikers to ride from their driveways to the trails, and for kids to ride from their homes to school—all on singletrack. The town unanimously approved the project, called  Singletrack Sidewalks , in November, and organizers have started preliminary work for the first part of the network, which will lead from a neighborhood to an elementary school. The new trail addition is only half a mile, but connects an existing network of organic trails that have popped up in a neighboring 1,900-acre plot adjacent to the school. [Keep reading at Bicycling]

Kingston's rail station  would become a "major cycle hub" under London's plan to pour tens of millions of dollars into biking improvements in three of its suburbs. You may have heard that London has just approved a  spectacular crosstown protected bike lane . But another part of its plan has, ironically, gotten little press in the United States. As London's regional government begins what may be the biggest municipal bicycling investment in the history of Europe, it's setting aside $140 million for part of the city that many Americans would feel right at home in: the suburbs. "Cycling is, I think, the secret weapon of suburban sustainable transport," says Transport for London Director of Surface Strategy and Planning Ben Plowden. "It is much more like car travel than transit is." [Keep reading at People For Bikes]

Like Bike expo in Monte Carlo to feature some of the world's priciest bikes Like Bike  is a little different from most bike shows, in that it celebrates the most luxurious and expensive bikes on the market – and that it takes place in Monte Carlo. With prices ranging from costly to mind-bendingly expensive, the show offers plenty of drool-inducing bike porn to lust over. Here, in ascending order are 10 of the most expensive bikes that will be on show from 3 to 5 April at Like Bike. Besv Lion LX1  The first e-bike on our list has a beam-style design with an aluminium frame that’s produced using the same manufacturing process as Moto GP bikes.  The Lion LX1’s electric motor sits on the rear  wheel  for maximum efficiency. This is further enhanced by SmartMode, which takes into account current riding conditions to provide power intelligently as you ride. A high-power headlight is incorporated into the stem, and there’s also a large display on the top giving ride a

Riding on Thin Air: Kelly McGarry + Jeremy Lyttle Take on Khardung La from Mercedes-Benz Films on Vimeo .

Honaker Hydro Pack 45.00 The Honaker Hydro Pack is designed to hold a full sized Nalgene water bottle on the down tube of your frame. Velcro is sewn in to the bag and an adhesive strip is included for the down tube of your bike. Rubberized material is sewn into the straps where they make contact providing a secure anchor point. A spindrift collar keeps the bottle clean regardless of what you may ride through. Another Bedrock original design. Trail tested in this year's Colorado Trail Race by multiple rider with zero problems. Weight 3 ounces Note! This product does not work with 26ers with suspension forks. It works well with 29ers and 650b with a non curved (radically) down tube. http://www.bedrockbags.com/shop/honaker-hydro-pack

Ari Goldberger temporarily solved a commuting nightmare by living out a child's snow-day dream. Goldberger, a 29-year-old guitar technician in the Boston area, was bicycling from work on the night of Feb. 11 when he noticed that the bike path ahead was blocked by what he later described as a "15-foot mountain of snow," presumably the result of ploughs piling up the city's ceaseless snowfall.  [Keep reading at Mashable]

45NRTH - RIDE GROOMED from 45NRTH on Vimeo . Nestled in the Teton Range, amongst the ski slopes and Nordic trail of Grand Targhee Resort, lies some of the most pristine groomed singletrack in the country. Sponsored rider Evan Simula and the 45NRTH crew found themselves exploring the world-class trails and immersing themselves in all that they had to offer. Filmed at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, WY Rider: Evan Simula Groomer: Andy Williams Song: "Last War" by Haley Bonar Buy Haley's music here: http://www.graveface.com/graveface-haley.html

The World Premiere for ‘Inspired to Ride’ is set for April 11th, 2015 in Denver Colorado and we want you there no matter where you are in the world. We've created a fun-filled day with lots of cycling goodness and by taking part in this campaign on Kickstarter you're helping make this World Premiere Event possible.  There are two ways you can be a part of this: Get to Denver Colorado and sit yourself down in one of only 350 seats. Turn on your computer and watch the event via live-streaming. This gathering of bike-minded people is going to be one hell of a good-time and we want you to be here with us whether you live in South Dakota, South Africa or the South Bronx. This special day will be an occasion to celebrate ultra-endurance racing, bikepacking and the people who say yes to adventures by bicycle. In addition to premiering a movie, we’ve also invited some of the top names in endurance cycling to present personalized workshops on topics surrounding gear,

Bikepacking X Europe part 8: Home from Marc Altena on Vimeo . Last leg of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Autumn is closing in while I make my way through the wet forest of the Ardennes, along the Ourthe, to finally see the dutch lowlands stretch out before me. Under grey skies I cycle north, to the island of Ameland, where to sun pops through the clouds and bathes the sea in a silvery light. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio and Corel Video Studio Pro Music: Jack White - Wayfaring stranger

Bikepacking X Europe part 7: On my way from Marc Altena on Vimeo . 7th leg of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio and Corel Video Studio Pro

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast We all know the old saying that you never forget how to ride a bicycle—and  there’s even science to prove that it’s true . That doesn’t mean, however, that we're all going to feel comfortable riding a bike in traffic in any given urban setting. “I think getting started on the bike in an urban environment is very daunting,” says Yvonne Bambrick, author of the new book  The Urban Cycling Survival Guide: Need-to-Know Skills and Strategies for Biking the City ,  out March 1 from ECW Press, and available for pre-order now. [Keep reading at City Lab]

Bikepacking X Europe part 5: Altitude from Marc Altena on Vimeo . 5th leg of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. A farewell salute to the Mont Blanc, before crossing the cristal blue Lake Geneva to the next mountain range, the Jura, and riding the steep slopes along the French-Swiss border river. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio and Corel Video Studio Pro Music: Autumn- Altitude

Featured on Korean design blog  Designers Party , this concept by Lee Sang Hwa, Kim Jin Ho, and Yeo Min Gu utilizes a button-actuated joint at the seat cluster and an integrated saddle lock (combination digits right there on the saddle!) for quick rear wheel locking without supplemental locking mechanisms.  More images at  http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/02/18/saddle-lock-bicycle-concept-lets-your-frame-components-protect-your-bike/

As the winter sun dipped low in the afternoon sky and a sustained, icy 20-plus mph wind ripped off the blue-gray water of nearby Greenwich Bay at  Warwick, Rhode Island ’s Goddard Memorial State Park,  Curtis White quickly, deliberately and just a tad desperately made his way to the former carousel building doubling on this Sunday afternoon as race central. It housed the podium where in 20 minutes the 19-year-old would receive his medal for winning a bike race and, more importantly, two propane heaters on full blast, taking the chill off the 35-degree day. White’s victory came by three seconds over  Kerry Werner , whom he dramatically outsprinted after an hour and three minutes of intense riding. And running uphill through sand. And sprinting up a flight of steps. And hopping off his bike, over two logs, then remounting to continue on the 2.14-mile loop course with more than 60 turns. [Keep reading at The Red Bulletin]

Bikepacking X Europe part 4: Gimme Shelter from Marc Altena on Vimeo . Leg 4 of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. The journey continues north, towards Mont Blanc. Snowcaped peaks all around, dazzling descents through dark forests and a spectaculair early morning ride on the Crete du Mont Jovet. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio and Corel Video Studio Pro Music:Gimme Shelter

Bikepacking X Europe part 3: going wild from Marc Altena on Vimeo . Third leg of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Beauitifull and remote mountain scenery on the French-Italian border, a lot of hike-a-bike, rough descends and hair-raising hairpins on the Col de Mallemort and Tete de Viraysse. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio and Corel Video Studio Pro Music: The Black Keys - Work me

Lance Armstrong  once told me that it would take maybe six months to a year for him to rebuild his reputation after he admitted lying to the world about his drug use. He said his plan was to keep a low profile and quietly earn back public trust, partly by apologizing to the people he had stepped on or, in some cases, tried to destroy. Armstrong, who in 2012 was  stripped of his seven Tour de France titles  for doping, seemed proud of his blueprint to restore his image. He said it would show that he was a good person who had been forced to dope because everyone else was doing it. The plan might have worked — if he had bothered to follow it. [Keep reading at NY Times]

Bikepacking X Europe part 2: not for the faint-hearted... from Marc Altena on Vimeo . Leg two of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Some of the best mountain biking on earth on the breathtaking Alta Via dei Monti Liguri and Grande Traversata delle Alpi. Cerntainly not for the faint-hearted... Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio Music: The Black Keys - All you ever wanted

Bikepacking X Europe part 1: the Cote d'azur from Marc Altena on Vimeo . Video of the first leg of my solo, unsupported and off-road bikepacking trip from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. Tripod and handheld shots: Panasonis Lumix DMC-G6, 1080p, 50fps Helmet shots: Gopro Hero3+ black 1080p Protune 50fps Editing: Gopro Studio Music: The Black Keys - Keep me

Project Description: Improvements will be made to West Broad Street between the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge located west of Starling Street and the bridge over the Scioto Riv er.  Improvements include: •Pavement reconstruction, streetscape upgrades, pedestrian and bike facilities •Utility improvements including new water line, street lighting and storm sewer facilities •Sidewalk reconstruction and widening •Granite curb, street trees, planters, and lighting •Bike lane installation along West Broad Street •Installation of two planted medians •Traffic signal upgrade at Broad Street and Belle Street •Relocation of current above-ground privately and publicly-owned utilities to underground  Schedule: •Design began in spring 2014 and is scheduled for completion in spring 2015 •Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in summer 2015 Questions may be directed to: City of Columbus, Department of Public Service Project Manager, Richard Ortman, P.E., 645-5465, drortman@col

As the car’s front bumper hit my rear wheel, the sound of it wasn’t heard but absorbed. The front wheel popped out, and the tire ripped off as the violence of energy went from car to bike and human being. I came down on a naked fork going roughly 25 miles per hour. And so this is how it happens. This is how you die. My brain is on fire and the slivers of seconds are bending and stretching. I look over my left shoulder and see the car passing above. The time is long still, and the pitch of a terrified nervous system mutes the rest of the world into nothing. My right hip and calf help bring me to a slow, grinding stop on the side of Monarch Road outside of Boulder, Colorado. I rest my head on the asphalt and close my eyes. Awareness is smoke, there and gone. Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/01/news/road/notes-scrum-thing-love-can-kill_358177#mIbckh6ezLdPL928.99

Manuel Calvo bumps his Brompton folding bike along the last few metres of a quiet cobbled street in Seville’s old town, then though a narrow passage and on to a broad ringroad encircling the district. Suddenly, several lanes of cars and buses are zipping past, but Calvo pays no heed – we are on a smooth, green-tarmacked bike lane, separated from motor traffic by both a raised kerb and a waist-high fence. “Here we are,” says Calvo, pedalling unhurriedly along the network he played a key role in designing. “I’d do a few things differently next time, maybe try and make the lanes a bit wider. But they work. People use them.” And people do, in large numbers. They do so to such an extent that Seville, the capital of  Andalucia  in the far south of Spain, has become something of an unlikely poster city for sustainable transport. It is, proponents say, living proof that more or less any urban area can get lots of people on the bikes by the relatively straightforward means of building

The Ohio River Trail Council is moving forward with plans to establish a 41-mile route that will connect 26 Allegheny and Beaver county communities.  The group plans to start a phase two project study in the spring that will include the design of a 15-mile bikeway segment that will begin at the Sewickley Bridge, travel through several towns, including Edgeworth, Leetsdale and Ambridge, and end at the Beaver County Jail in Center.  A kickoff planning meeting will take place at the Old Economy Village Visitor Center in Ambridge on Feb. 24.  “We are really excited about the possibilities and are working hard to get as many stakeholders at this meeting as possible,” said John Orndorff, a director on the trail council. [Keep reading at TribLIVE]

Broadway, Seattle. Instead of "cyclists,"  people biking . Instead of "accident,"  collision . Instead of "cycle track,"  protected bike lane . It can come off as trivial word policing. But if you want proof that language shapes thoughts, look no further than Seattle — where one of the country's biggest  bikelashes  has turned decisively around in the last four years. For a while in 2010 and 2011, the three-word phrase "war on cars," which had  risen to prominence in Rob Ford's Toronto  and spread to Seattle in 2009, threatened to poison every conversation about improving bicycling in the city. [Keep reading at People for Bikes]

WARNING: Wayne Preston, of Cliff Pratt Cycles, is warning cyclists to use privacy settings on mobile phone apps. Picture: Jerome Ellerby BURGLARS are using free cycling apps for directions to homes where expensive bikes are stored. Mobile phone apps such as Strava and MapMyRide are used to record detailed route maps via satellites, as well as data such as average speed, elevation and the number of calories burnt on rides. [Keep reading at Hull Daily Mail]

NightRide With The TrailRaiders from Adam Richardson on Vimeo .

Jackson Hole mountain biker and TGR member Garrick Tischler hammers down the Hagen trail in Jackson this past weekend at the annual Fat Bike Summit. Ryan Dunfee photo. When it comes to mountain bikes,  I'm a strong ally of the sport's currently most-hyped bike category: the 150mm-travel, 27.5"-wheeled, dropper post-equipped carbon fiber enduro do-anything-and-everything-well quiver-killing wünderbikes. They go fast, look sexy, jump well, climb well, destroy corners and rock gardens, and drain wallets almost as fast as they blast downhills. They're goddamn fun to ride, and leave me wanting no other category of bike in the garage. Not that I could afford to add to the stable after blowing all my fun money on one, but others seem to be able to pull it off. [Keep reading at Teton Gravity]

Okay, I know I've been really excited about cycling & cargo biking in general, but I've decided that I had it all wrong. Cargo biking is just terrible & here's why you really shouldn't do it: You might not need to go to the gym anymore, so you'd no longer be supporting that local small business/community centre/nationwide chain. [See the rest at SpokesMama]

The MindRider bike map uses EEG data to identify relaxing and attention-demanding routes in Manhattan.  Arlene Ducao If you want to bike around Manhattan these days, it’s easy to find an online or physical map that can lead you to the bike lanes and keep you riding safely. But it won’t tell you much more, like which route would be the most relaxing, and which the most demanding of your attention. That’s exactly the information Arlene Ducao wants to provide with the MindRider Map, which is created by deploying cyclists wearing a  helmet that measures their brainwaves . [Keep reading at WIRED]

INSIDE: Spank Industries Wheel Building Factory — More Mountain Bike Photos

The Genesis Lifebeam helmet is built on a foundation of the proven Lazer Genesis helmet. It is thé helmet for cyclists who want to monitor and improve their their heart rate in order to better their  performance.    Instead of  using a traditional chest strap the Genesis Lifebeam uses the Smart system, a sensor placed within the existing head band of the helmet which communicates with a processing unit at the back of the helmet. Via Bluetooth or Ant+ technology, the processing unit can transmit heart rate data to a compatible cycling computer, smartphone or watch. Sensors:  Optical heart-rate sensor & 3-axis accelerometer Helmet Weight:  Medium ~280g, Large ~300g Computer and Sensor Weight:  40g (0.8 Ibs) Max. readable heart rate:  220 BPM Min. readable heart rate:  30 BPM Operating temp:  -5°C to 45°C (23°F to 113°F) Water Resistance:  All weather compatibility Battery Type:  Rechargeable 170mAh lithium polymer Battery Life:  17 working hours Communication modu