Rome, Paris offer bicycle-sharing service

Tourists as well as traditionally-car-loving Romans are invited to use a bicycle-sharing program to reduce smog and congestion in central Rome. About 200 red bicycles have been distributed across 19 locations, including the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. The Roman system start with the first 1/2 hour being free, and a 1€ fee for each 1/2 hour thereafter. The bicycles contain a GPS unit, and are not permitted outside Rome itself. A similar system called Velib, photos below, is already in place in Paris, where a rider may use a bicycle with a deposit of €30.

Canadian success story Cervelo featured in Report on Business

Cervelo, the amazing Canadian success story now providing bicycles to the CSC Team, is featured in a Report on Business magazine article here. The story details Cervelo's beginnings under the guidance of two engineers turned entrepreneurs, Gerard Vroomen and Phil white. Through a focus on technology, the company has been able to produce bicycles that give racers an edge, and has now claimed a position among the highest echelon of European manufacturers like Pinarello and Bianchi. Go Cervelo!

NB: The author just bought the above Cervelo Soloist Team, which truly kicks butt.

BT Blade is Australia's weapon in Beijing

Weighing 6.4kg and created for "optimal aerodynamic efficiency", the Bike Technologies' (BT) Blade is the bicycle chosen by cycling Australia to make a mark at the Beijing Olympics. BT is a Melbourne-based bicycle company. More in an article in the Australian.

Sex sells when it comes to custom choppers

Apparently sex sells when it comes to bicycles too! You don't see this very often in bicycle advertising, but I guess we can expect it more and more as bikes appeal to the mainstream... What a cool chopper though! Apparently built by a Barcelona-based company called Make Bicycles.

Also found in some more mainstream advertising...

Walrus Magazine article on cycling in Toronto

I really enjoyed reading an article in Walrus Magazine on urban cycling. It is really exciting to perceive bike commuting as an exciting sport involving avoiding multifarious dangers while speeding through the city. This article really represents, but reminds us of the dangers in graphic passages. Much needed - thanks Walrus!

Express your unique personality with a Cruiser Bike!

There are some wicked cruiser bikes around, easily customized to make a statement for each particular owner. They no doubt are inspired by some of the custom Harleys rolling the streets. It's great to see people expressing their unique personality through their bike, like the above Electra Rat Fink.

Leicester UK may be first "Cycling City" in England

Leicester has been shortlisted for Cycling England’s Cycling Towns and Cities programme, which would result in a grant of around $13-million that may be put towards increasing the cycling facilities in the city and encouraging cycling by that city's residents.

We need such a program in Canada to encourage cycling and keep our residents fit while reducing emissions and traffic/parking issues. The healthy competition between cities for such a grant would surely bring about change in a short time!