Yes, it requires natural resources such as oil to produce bicycles. But when you go too high tech, you’re into the rare earth problem. Big problem.

Technorati Tags: bicycle design, bicycle equipment, bicycle video, cycling

You can check out Rick’s first impressions here. I took a quick spin on Friday on Patton Alley downtown. Very cool.

After hanging out at the Mudhouse for a bit on Friday morning, we went over to Queen City Cycles to check on the progress of his bicycle. I used that opportunity to begin shopping for a new recreational bicycle. I gave my Marin Pioneer Trails hybrid to a young man in great need of transportation. I have a couple of bicycles in mind. More on this soon.

Technorati Tags: bicycle design, bicycle equipment, cycling

Let’s be clear about something first: I have nothing against electric bicycles. They serve a purpose for people who want or need them.

But, really, giving a green award to an electric bicycle is like giving a green award to a Hummer over a Prius. An electric bicycle is less green than a regular bicycle.

Now I understand we’re talking about a consumer electronics show here and that, well, to be in the show a gadget must use electricity and that if one is going to give a green award for a vehicle that uses electricity, then, well, giving it to this bicycle is a good thing, I suppose.

Just don’t expect me to praise this contraption as green. What it is is useful for those who need electric assistance. And, from the looks of it, the Eneloop bicycle has the kinds of features that I think a good utility bicycle ought to have (hoo-ray for that!). So, really, this appears to me to be an excellent choice for someone who wants or needs an electric-assist utility bicycle.

But green? Naaaaaaaa. I think we ought to guard that term a bit more jealously.

Technorati Tags: bicycle design, cycling, green transportation, sustainability, utility cycling

Wytze’s graduation project for Cannondale from Eelke D. on Vimeo.

Here’s the skinny on this design from Bicycle Design.

This bicycle appears to meet my rigid (and arbitrary) criteria for a good utility bicycle. And I like that this concept — which appears to me to be flexible gender-wise — is aimed at women.

Check out the buzz.

Technorati Tags: bicycle culture, bicycle design, cycling, utility cycling

Prediction (and I hope I’m wrong): The winning design will be a mountain bike hybrid of some sort with an aggressive seating posture. No fenders. No chain case. And difficult to ride dressed like the young woman pictured above.

Here are some photos of the designs. Here’s a digest of continuing coverage by Bike Portland. Here are two different reports — a positive report from OregonLive.com and a critical report from Austin on Two Wheels. Here’s the winner.

OK, I was wrong. But not by much. It isn’t a hybrid; the winning design is a racer with a front rack stuck on it. Notice the aggressive posture. The lack of a chain guard. Can you imagine the young woman pictured below riding this thing dressed as she is, i.e. like a normal person. The winner is a sport bicycle that’s been forced into domestic duty.

What we have here is an excellent example of sport cycling hegemony.

Take a good look at the picture above. Here’s a real design challenge: Do better than that (without screwing it up).

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bicycle commuting, bicycle culture, bicycle design, bicycle equipment, cycling, utility cycling