Well, it turns out cycling doesn’t have to be hard work. Yes, it makes great exercise and yes, it’s far better than using a car, but what if you need to take it easy while still being green?

Ultra Motor has it covered. Its new range of electric bikes means that you can still keep your carbon footprint as low as possible while making up for it in tyre tracks (minus the sweat patches), using its Fast4ward range.

The new bikes are compact, fold-able and versatile, and make a great alternative to a regular bike. With a 250w motor, you needn’t break a sweat when it comes to riding up those hills because the bike will put the power in for you.

An environmentally friendly alternative to commuting via train, car or motorbike, the bikes are easy on the planet as well as the purse strings thanks to their rechargeable batteries; just 7p of electricity will take you 40 miles.

As well as all the benefits of your usual bicycle, the Fast4ward range gives you the chance to go a little faster; the motor can take you up to 15.5 miles per hour, which is 50% above the average cycling speed. So there’s no need to be late to that Monday morning meeting…

The beauty of the range is that you can pick your pace; cycle all the way if you want to or if you’re tired after a long day of work you can switch it on and give yourself a break. You deserve it, after all.

If you’re not sure you want to take the plunge but would like to give it a go, Ultra Motor has recently teamed up with Hertz, the world’s largest car rental company to allow Londoners to hire the electric bikes for just £20 a day from the Marble Arch branch.

Try before you buy – can’t argue with that…

As you can see on the right, we’ve got a selection of girly bike bells, some retro options and some old fashioned bike horns if you really want to clear the crowds.

Cool bike bells

Top row, left to right:
Ladies Funky Art Bike Bell (Halfords, £4.99), Pink Stripes Fashion Bell (Halfords, £3.99),Cupcake Bicycle Bell, Etsy, $28

Middle row, left to right:
Raleigh Ping Bell (CyclesUK, £5.99), Push I Love My Bike (Amazon, £5.69), Bell Compass(Bonthrone Bikes, £5.49)

Bottom row, left to right:
Bike Horn (Amazon, £4.00), Parkers Chrome Bicycle Bugle Hooter Horn (Amazon, £2.95), Honker Bicycle Horn (ToysRUs, £4.99)

Recommended reading:

Warm clothing for cyclists. We’ve picked the warmest, the most winter-proof cycling gear out there to keep you toasty on your daily commute.

The best bike lights. Cycling in the dark? It’s hard not to in the winter gloom, which is why we’ve put together a guide to cycle lights.

The coolest bike shop in London? Bobbin Bicycles Not so much a bike shop as a ‘bike boutique’ Bobbin Bicycles leads the way when it comes to Cool Cycling.

]]> http://jorgandolif.com/move/best-bicycl-bells-horns/feed/ 0 http://jorgandolif.com/move/style-copenhagens-bike-superhighway/ http://jorgandolif.com/move/style-copenhagens-bike-superhighway/#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2010 08:00:57 +0000 Emma http://jorgandolif.com/?p=8550 Copenhagen now has more bikes in the city then it does people. Excellent news, but it means the government is facing something of a logistical challenge finding space for all those cycle journeys .

Cyclists are encountering bike jams, particularly on the main Noerrebrogade, and cycling etiquette is sometimes ignored. “You have to elbow your way in to go forward and some cyclists aren’t always thoughtful,” says 22-year-old university student, Lea Bresel.

So, to solve the problem, a superhighway has been announced. The jammed bike paths will be widened up to four metres on either side of the road, giving cyclists plenty of room to manoeuvre around each other. This will then create a ‘bicycle street’, the first of its kind in the world.

Freewheelin Mister Bike

Andreas Roehl — affectionately known as ‘Mister Bike’ –  Copenhagen municipality’s bicycle programme manager, also has plans to increase the current percentage of cyclists commuting to work from outside the city from 37% to 50%. At the moment, 55% of inner city commuters cycle to work.

Roehl has plenty more plans up his sleeve to encourage his rise in cycling commuters. He hopes to add pit stops along the superhighway, for easy bike fixing, and synchronised traffic lights that prioritise cyclists over cars. His ultimate goal, he says, is to “make life even more difficult for motorists and easier for cyclists.”

Source: Bicycling

Image: [Mikael Colville-Andersen]

Thankfully, retailers and manufacturers are stepping up to the mark with some workwear travel solutions to help you arrive at work in style. The Slicks Suit25 commuter bag, sold exclusively at Slicks, is specifically designed to transport a suit and shoes to work, crease-free.

The backpack folds out to fit an entire suit carrier with a hanger, and has several separate sections for shoes and a towel, if you’re lucky enough to have a shower at work. There’s also an additional section to add your laptop etc, and the backpack converts into a hand-held carry case.  The reflective strips on the zipper and straps mean you’ll even be visible in the early mornings and late evenings. It’s effectively the Transformer of backpacks.

It’s £114.99, so it’s possibly one for the Christmas wish list. But it’s worth it for the dry cleaning bills you’ll dodge over the year.

Recommended reading:

Six of the best bike panniers and saddle bags. We round up the coolest bags, baskets and panniers for your bike.

Warm clothing for cyclists. We’ve picked the warmest, the most winter-proof cycling gear out there to keep you toasty on your daily commute.

During the colder months of the year, those cycling shorts simply aren’t going to be enough to keep you warm. So, to keep you toasty while you’re enjoying the misty mornings, here are a few clothing suggestions.

Warming gloves
There are a couple of options when it comes to gloves. You could go techy and get the new breed of gloves that heat themselves up (Maplin £12.99.) The grip doesn’t look entirely cycle-worthy, so perhaps it’s more for a casual bike ride rather than anything particular hardcore.

Your other option is a pair of specialised, skintight cycle gloves to keep the heat in. These DeFeet Dura Winter Cycling Gloves from Wiggle might not heat up, but the grip certainly makes up for it.

Cosy clothing
SPEG does a nice range of warmers for arms and legs, which can be layered and removed when the sun comes up. Prices start from £10.99 on Cycle Clothing. SPEG also has a cycle jacket with removable sleeves for £24.99. Layering is the key to keeping warm on your morning commute.

Cycling Footwear
We’re not talking about shoes here, but socks. Sealskinz from Wiggle (£19.80) are waterproof socks that keep your feet warm and, most importantly, dry. In terms of shoes, the Specialized BG Defroster MTB Shoes (Evans Cycle, £119.99) are waterproof and full of features that make your winter cycling adventure go as smoothly as possible.

How do you prepare for a winter cycle?
Image: Comedynose

The Isles of Scilly offers a multitude of activities, and with many local galleries and studios opening their doors during the month of May to a new festival called ArtScilly 2010, it’s a good time to go. Highlighting culture and distinctive art and crafts within Cornwall and the South thorough demonstrations, displays, exhibitions, events, talks, walks and workshops, your imagination is bound to be stimulated.

Take your bike with you and aboard the passenger ferry, Scillonian III, to sail to Scilly slowly. Or you can hire a bike at the other end. With plentiful scenery to explore with panoramic views and few steep hills, the ideal day is spent cycling around before finding a quiet spot for an authentic Cornish picnic.

On these peaceful islands you’ll find spring cleaning for the soul, with an intimate community amidst a unique environment of archipelago, sapphire seas, white sands and gardens with exotic plants, all enriched further with historic heritage including castles, pottery and gastronomy.

At ArtScilly 2010, you can enjoy beach rambles, colour therapy, silk painting and dance sessions, an opportunity to meet the makers, musical concerts and plentiful craft demonstrations including enameled jewellery and stained glass.

Additional opportunities can be found through talking to the locals: “Our signs are subtle, our approach is time-honoured, and our attitude is relaxed. We help you discover an individual get-away, with a “what suits you” (not one-size fits all) approach. Many of our artisans, guides, and hosts organise their activities around a laidback and traditional lifestyle.”

Activities could involve a visit to Troytown Farm, Scilly’s only dairy farm where you can sample its homemade ice cream, or a tour of St Martin’s Vineyard, Winery, Visitor Centre and Shop, or an opportunity to go snorkeling with seals at St Martin’s Dive School.

If you want to just relax, go to Fraggle Rock Bar, voted a “Best British Boozer” by Jamie Oliver, where many exhibitions of ArtScilly will be happening so you can soak up the art too!

Don’t forget to send a postcard to us!

ArtScilly 2010

All you really need are regular household cleaners plus an old toothbrush (for hard to reach areas), a normal kitchen brush, an old kitchen towel and s0me soap and water. Ideally also get some chain cleaner, chain lube and a degreaser  from the bike shop.

Start off by washing away the obvious dirt with soapy water. Then turn your attention to the  little spots in the hard-to-get-to parts of your bike. 

 A bike stand is very helpful to keep the bike up higher so you can see the dirty spots  you might not normally see. But if you don’t have one, turn your bike upside-down on a towel or on your lawn. Be sure the base of the bike where the cables run is clean to avoid shifting problems. If you are cleaning the bike with dish soap and water, rinse it afterwards and carefully towel it dry.

Lastly make sure you clean and grease your chain. It’s a good idea to clean your chain once a month at least using specialist chain cleaning products. You’ll notice the shifting will be smoother and quieter and your chain will last longer.

After the chain is cleaned, you’ll want to lube it. Generally, you’ll put a tiny drop on each link. Just move the chain by rotating the pedal and lube a long segment of chain at a time.

image: cyclingtipsblog

A local chef and masseuse come as standard in every ‘apres cycle’ package, but extra staff and activities are laid on depending on the location. On this month’s trip to Mallorca (which sold out), the 12 cyclists were trained by Tour de France stage winner Marcel Wüst as the difficulty level was 4 out of 5 and the trip was aimed at luxury-lovers who take their cycling very seriously. Next month’s trip to Loch Lomond in Scotland (which is also sold out, sadly) is a leisurely level 2 and the 10 cyclists who have signed up will have the option of sampling Scotch whisky at a local distillery or fitting in a round of golf at the famous Scottish courses nearby.

There are still four places on the five-day trip to Provence in April (level 3) which will take 14 cyclists on a tour of the Luberon, passing through picture-perfect, historical hot-spots like Avignon, Aix and Salon de Provence. The stunning villa has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi carved out of natural rock for a post-cycle chill-out, and there are tennis courts too. May’s 7-day, romantic trip to Tuscany (level 3) also still has places and will cover the Chianti region and the Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi. Evenings will be spent soaking up the spectacular views of Florence from the luxury 16^th century villa set in a sleepy hamlet outside Fiesole whilst sampling the local wines with a renowned local sommelier and learning to cook traditional Tuscan dishes.

Hard-core cyclists who want to concentrate on fitness and technique should plump for one of the three Etape du Tour Training Camps throughout June. Professional trainers who specialise in optimum body position and scaling mountain roads on two wheels will take groups of 8 cyclists up the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees between Pau and Lourdes. Evenings will be spent recovering in a luxury Pyrenean chalet, more than likely sleeping off the day’s exertions or crashing out in the movie room. The difficulty level for these training camps is 5 out of 5, so be aware that these trips will be more about the cycling than the luxury bit.

The result is not only a bicycle commercial but also a campaign for Slow Life, urban mobility and liveable cities. Biomega’s bicycles are more than just urban transport. They are already design icons featured in museums around the world. The two models in the commercial/music video are the Amsterdam and the Pico. The latter being a part of the new series produced by Biomega for Puma.

The Amsterdam model is classic elegance combined with modern improvements, such as the shaft drive (begone bicycle chain!) whilst the Pico is a riot of colour and urban funk with a brilliant basket integrated into the handlebars. Both bicycles feature that timeless cultural icon The Cycling Girl in the form of two Copenhageners.

Since I founded Cycle Chic back in 2006 it has been fantastic to watch this gradual change in how we’re marketing bicycles and, indirectly, urban mobility and liveable cities. This Biomega commercial is a prime example of how we’re returning to marketing bicycles like we used to over 100 years ago. Selling them to Citizen Cyclists, selling them to the mainstream market and not the sub-cultures and selling them positively and confidently.

Like the Cycle Chic motto says, Style Over Speed.

And Slow Life Over Haste.

Whilst in London I cycled out of my way to visit Sargent & Co. The shop was closed but Rob Sargent, the owner, was kind enough to open the door and let me inside for a look. It was time for a tea break, anyway.

Rob opened up the shop about a year and a half ago after settling on a bicycle shop as a ‘lifestyle change’. It’s more of a workshop than a bicycle shop proper as Rob gently restores vintage racers at the most relaxing, aesthetic pace.

At right, that’s Rob making the tea in the background and Eric Deeks in the foreground. Eric is teaching Rob the tricks of the framebuilding trade. He used to build frames for Paris Cycles back in the day.

I don’t know what it is about the shop but I keep returning to it in my head. The atmosphere was calm, the air scented with the unmistakeable sweetness of oil and vintage. Buzzing gently below the surface was that unique passion for bicycles, like the sound of a distant bumble bee at the bottom of the garden.

The most remarkable thing about this bicycle shop is that you feel as though it has occupied the premises since, I don’t know… 1948… and that Rob’s dad and grampy had puttered around inside throughout the decades before handing it down. You don’t quite believe the Established 2008 sign outside and are quite convinced that the old walls have strained under the weight of hanging frames and wheels. Indeed, that they were built solely for this purpose.

Speaking to Rob you are seduced by his quiet manner and gentle voice. Just hearing the way he speaks and you know how he handles the old frames and bicycles that are wheeled into the shop. Gently, lovingly, passionately. Ah, yes. And Slowly.

Business is fine, apparently. Too fine, you sense. Meaning less time for the quiet pleasures of restoring old bicycles to former glory and building new frames.

Eric used to build Paris bicycles not that far from the shop. His prescence in the place is one of quiet authority. Hands grey with grease as he sips his tea you can’t help thinking of what it was like building bicycles in the 1950′s and you secretly wish you were there to experience it.

Now that the fixie fad is waning, the Next Big Thing is vintage racers. So Rob’s lifestyle change to Slow Bicycle Restoration was visionary as well as necessary.

If you’re in London, be sure to meander past. Even if the shop is closed, peer through the windows. It’s enough, somehow.

Sargent & Co is at:
74 Mountgrove Road
Finsbury Park, London
www.sargentandco.com/