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.

BMX debuting as Olympic sport

This is BMX's first year on the Olympic program, one of three new sports to be featured in Beijing this summer. It is viewed by some as an effort to build an X-Games type edge into the Olympics. Beijing's track is a supercross track which starts on a 30 foot ramp. The races ride over about 20 jumps during the 40-second race. Samantha Cools of Airdie, Alta., is a strong possibility in BMX for Canada. The US hopefuls are Kyle Bennett and Donny Robinson, and other medal contenders are Michal Prokop of the Czech Republic and Marc Willers of New Zealand.

London Mayor asks Londoners to "dust off dormant bikes"

London Mayor Boris Johnson is encouraging Londoners to dust off their bikes and ride in London's Summer of Cycling, in the wake of rampant childhood obesity among Brits, as well as an increase in heart-related deaths.

The Mayor was promoting London Freewheel, part of the Summer of Cycling, which encourages Londoners to use their bicycles. Up to 100,000 people are expected to hop on their bikes to ride past the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and other sights.

Only half of Londoners who have access to a bike have used one in the past 12 months.

Ottawa's 20-year bicycle plan given green light!

The 20-year bicycle plan recently approved by Ottawa city council aims to improve cycling facilities in Ottawa, making commuting easier and making the city more attractive for tourists (who already account for 13% of bicycle trips). Phase I includes:

$8.1 million for 81.6 km of bicycle lanes
$9.1 million for 165.7 km of paved shoulders
$6.2 million for multi-use pathways
$1.6 million for new initiatives and enhancements to existing programs

Phase II includes bike parking and lockers and permits bike paths to be built on an as-needed basis, and has a budget is $60-million.