Abici bike bags

Finally a solution to the bike bag problem that looks good on or off your bike. Abici is an Italian bicycle maker that claims to make bikes in their "pure and naked form." I'm not sure how to take that but the bags and jackets they make are simple, functional, and perfect for an urban commuter. Made of a specially treated wool referred to as "loden" they are also apparently waterproof. They also make a jacket with reflective edging that they claim will turn into a small bag. Transformers? I like it.

For more info go here http://www.abici-italia.it/index_ing.html

Don't steal bikes bro

i had to post it. I really had to. Sometimes how you feel about your bike clouds your thinking on how you feel about violence. I'm not sure about the advertising your assaults on youtube part of it but if I did see someone trying to steal my bike I would be VERY upset.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiG9jQJLig0

Reelight bike lights.

My brother and sister in-law found these and I just had to post them. The little crescent shaped things are magnets which get attached to your spokes and cause the light to turn on with each rotation (induction power....who knew?) There is no battery, no pressure on the wheel, and no need to turn them on or off. I do wish they came in a slightly sleeker design but I can put my design fetish aside to appreciate all the little problems they do solve. They cost around $40 for a pair at various online bike shops though I have yet to see them carried anywhere in NYC.

For more info go here: http://www.reelight.com/

bike porn. Velorbis Scrap Deluxe

I just really love the look of this bike. Clean and classy and it comes with things you might need like a rack, a bell, and a chainguard. I would still probably switch out those handlebars for something just a little racier but I do think this bike is a beauty.

Manhattan Bridge bike path

There is now a separate bike lane just off the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge! This allows me to skip the suicidal bus/bike lanes that go through downtown Brooklyn and go home without added stress. Officially it's called the Sands Street bike lane but I think we can abbreviate that to "smooth awesomeness." New York now has about 170 miles of painted bike lanes and the network is thankfully continuing to grow. This does not mean that bike lanes are free of opening doors, parking taxis, or Chinatown grocery carts (Im talking about the Grand St. bike lane with that last one) Apparentely putting in a bike lane and making people understand that its...you know.. for bikes is more complicated than it might seem. You would think that the little figure on the bicycle would be pretty obvious but I think some people see it as more of a creative interpretation of Man with Cart or Man Kicking Two Round Dogs.

Googling "bike lane asshole" will give you plenty more samples of what I'm talking about.

Going to war on your bike

The anti-spandex courtesy of the New York Public Library.

The wishlist. Ahearne Cycles

These are really amazing handmade bikes from Portland, Oregon. The frames start at about $1900 and the forks and racks start at about $350. What you get for all that money are some of those most unique and intricate frames out there. They have also recently designed a travel bike that is a full-size frame that comes apart to fit in a carry-on case. Check out more of their work here http://www.ahearnecycles.com/index.html