Derringer motorized bicycle gets 150mpg

Derringer, based in California, has released a retro motor-assisted bicycle which claims 150 mpg, and a top speed of 35 mph. This bike is designed after a 1920s style motorcycle, but now with a modern, 49cc engine. Although it does not appear to be legal in Ontario without a motorcycle license, in most jurisdictions this bike is unregulated as a type of bicycle.

Bicycle-sharing booms in European cities

Almost all major cities in Europe currently have or are considering bicycle-sharing programs. Cities developing programs are looking to Velib in Paris as one model. The bikes can be picked up at one location and dropped off at another, and payments are deducted automatically from bank accounts. In addition to the advantage of bicycles beating traffic in most centres, new technology uses smart cards, adding to the riders' convenience.

In North America, the car culture, longer distances, and need for bike helmets have reduced the appeal of these programs, though we may see such programs popping up in some city centres, like Ottawa (see article below).

Ottawa considers Paris-style bike sharing system

Ottawa and Gatineau are considering a bike-sharing system, like Vélib' used in Paris, to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. About 400 bikes would be available for pickup, using a swipe-card system. The rider would then drop the bike off at a station close to his or her destination. The bikes would likely be free for a short period, to encourage commuters to take shorter, more frequent trips, rather than have to rent the bikes for a day or more at a time.

Bikengruvin Recycles Bicycles Into Groovy Art

Canadian artist David James McCelvey recycles scrap bicycles into art. There are over 1-million bicycles ending up as scrap every year, which he uses to produce art. Since 1997, David has shown his works in Western Canada and the American Southwest. His art varies from tables, lamps and wall hangings to a giant slice of pepperoni pizza with a squished bicycle as a topping. Also, he has built some bicycle "jukeboxes", bike tables that flash to the beat of the music.

To see more of his art, check out bikengruvin.com.

Cycling is fashionable and chic

Cycling has always been cool, due to its environmental and health benefits, but now it is also fashionable. The major labels are designing bikes and clothing. The clothing, however, contains no skin-tight lycra, and the bikes are made more for relaxed cruising than speeding along the side of the highway. All we need now are bike lanes to show off our new wheels and threads! Most of the bikes take after the Amsterdam-style bike, with fenders and bells, rather than racing or mountain bikes.

Chanel and Gucci have designed limited edition bicycles, below. Chanel's, below, sold for $12,000.

Several Dutch-style bikes from Electra and Jorg & Olif:

Olympics raise Chinese awareness of cycling as a sport

The Chinese traditionally have viewed cycling as a familiar mode of transportation. But since seven Chinese riders were entered in the Olympics, and Guo Shuang winning a bronze medal in the women's sprint, Chinese are getting excited about cycling as a sport, according to the Chinese Cycling Association. Previously professional training and advanced cycles were unavailable in China; as a result of grass-roots efforts and the promotion of large cycling brands to China's untapped market, competitive cycling is now taking hold among the people.

Tour de France won on Canadian bike manufacturer Cervelo's cycles

The Tour de France was won by Carlos Sastre of Team CSC on Sunday, on a Cervelo. Cervelo is a Toronto-based (now headquartered in Switzerland) high-end bicycle manufacturer. Phil White, one of the co-founders, said that it has been one of their dreams in starting the company, which has now come true.