News

Plume - an new breed of recoiling mudguard

June 7, 2013

A new design promises to give the humble mudguard a sturdy, flexible and fashion-concious makeover. Mudguards are an absolute necessity for cycling in wet or muddy conditions - unless your...

Cycling

Taking a bicycle on holiday with you

June 7, 2013

If you’re lucky enough to be taking your bike on holiday this summer, you’ll need to consider whether you want to insure it as well as yourself. First off; check if your travel insurance policy covers cycling and if it does, whether you are happy with the amount you’d be able to claim in the event of it getting stolen. If your travel policy...

Cycling

Latest baby buggy is a skateboard

June 4, 2013

A new skateboard and buggy hybrid concept promises a quick and green way to get about with kids. For the first time in history, more than half the world’s population lives in urban areas. And for many of these urbanites, the arrival of a baby often heralds the buying of a car – even though they may be well-served by public transport. So the...

Environment

Bicycle handlebars that make their own drizzle

June 3, 2013

For cyclists who miss the wind and rain of a winter that seemed like it would never end comes a handlebar-mounted mister that makes its own drizzle. The Q-Fog water atomizer promises to make pedalling more bearable come the next heat wave. Each time the device is activated a fine spray of water enshrouds the rider, producing a powerful...

Cycling

Let your feet do the talking…and charging

May 30, 2013

A group of mechanical engineering students in America have designed a pair of shoes that generate enough electricity while you walk to power a mobile phone. The current prototype has a lever protruding from the back of the shoe and every footstep powers a motor that sends energy through wires to a belt-mounted battery pack – enough to power...

General News

The solar-powered kettle that fits on your bicycle

May 30, 2013

A solar kettle small enough to be carried on a bicycle in place of a water bottle, offers the prospect of a cup of freshly-brewed tea on every ride. Just as long as the sun comes out. The solar kettle looks like a conventional thermos, but uses fold-out reflectors to harness energy. In Britain, our national obsession with tea means we down...

Cycling

Pothole scanner for bicycles

May 29, 2013

A new bicycle light that scans the road ahead for potholes has been developed by design students in China. Lumigrids is a handlebar-mounted LED light for bicycles that projects a square grid onto the road ahead so the rider can spot potholes at night; any significant deformity in the road surface alters the appearance of the grid. According...

Cycling

More cyclists pay ‘road tax’ than car drivers

May 24, 2013

The tired old argument that cyclists have less right to be on the road because they don’t pay vehicle excise duty – sometimes still referred to as road tax – received another blow this week when it transpired that cyclists are more likely to also drive cars, and pay VED, than the population as a whole. Motorists do not pay directly for the...

Cycling

Helios – the world’s first smart bicycle headlight

May 23, 2013

Helios is the world's first integrated headlight and indicator system for bicycles; Bluetooth and GPS-enabled intelligent handlebars that add smart features to any bike. Helios handlebars cost from £130 and include all the following features: Proximity Lighting allows your bike to sense your presence and automatically turn on its headlight...

Cycling

Pedal-powered hearse proves cycling needn't end after death

May 22, 2013

It is now possible to pay tribute to a life lived on two wheels, even after your death. A funeral home in Eugene, Oregon, offers a pedal-powered hearse to carry deceased cyclists to the graveside in solemn, fitting style. Funeral director Wade Lind was inspired to build the...

Cycling