London bike-sharing locations revealed

Londoners will enjoy access to about 6,000 bicycles across nine boroughs in a bicycle-sharing scheme similar to Vélib in Paris. Among the planned locations are Spitalfields Market, Edgware Road, Park Lane, Baker Street and Soho Square. The scheme should increase bicycle trips by 400 percent by 2025. Mayor Boris Johnson hopes the system will be operating by next May. He had this to say:

"I pledged to deliver a cycling revolution across the city, and there is now a growing excitement about our cycle hire scheme, which will give all Londoners the opportunity to hop on a bike and experience the joys of cycling. Much like hailing a cab, people will be able to pick up one of 6,000 bikes, and zip around town to their hearts' content - not only a quick, easy, and healthy option, but one that will also make London a more liveable city."

Car-free cycling in San Francisco

This Sunday, cyclists will be able to cycle car-free in the streets along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, allowing miles of streets dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians. What freedom, owning the streets and not having to worry about cars! There are activities for kids, especially those trying to kick training wheels and get up on two on their own. Many people are also taking the opportunity to see areas of the city that they rarely see.

Awesome Freestyling! Inspired Bicycles rider Danny MacAskill in April 2009

Check out the moves on Danny! I pronounce MacAskill MacA**kicking instead.

Ireland aiming to be most cyclist-friendly country by 2020

The National Cycle Policy Framework was launched yesterday with the goal of increasing the people who cycle to work every day fourfold from current numbers by 2020. Plans include retrofitting roads with cycling lanes, introducing traffic-calming measures and bike-friendly road designs. It also allows bikes to be carried on public transit and encompasses public sharing of bikes like the Parisian Vélib scheme.

Cross-Ontario cycling record attempt

Ross Rader is attempting to beat the cross-Ontario cycling time record of 35 hours and 43 minutes set in 1987. The route starts in Ottawa, and passes through Kingston, Toronto, Brantford and London on the way to conclude in Windsor after approximately 800 kilometers. All proceeds are going to the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation.

For more info visit Ross's website.

New Yorkers getting into Dutch bikes

With bike trips in New York up 35% between 2007 and 2008, New Yorkers are trying to reconcile biking with style. It seems the Dutch bike is popular, and can be ridden with a suit without fear of grease stains on pant legs. However, with the price of a dutch bike up to $US 2000, how can one ensure that it won't be stolen in a New York minute?

Check out the full article in the New York Times.

Bike sales up 50% in UK

Bicycle sales are up 50% in the UK due to the recession, according to bicycle retailer Halfords. Over the same period, car purchases are down 30%, as people choose to bike to work instead of driving. The UK government provides a Bike to Work benefit scheme, which offers a tax reduction of up to 45% on a new bicycle. This increase in cycling reverses years of decline; between 1980 and 2007 bicycle trips have gone down 18%, compared with car trips which increased 78%.