News

The back to front world of British road traffic law

June 24, 2021

Road danger reduction in Britain is as politically toxic as gun control in America. Why else would the offence of riding an e-scooter on the road attract a £300 ticket, confiscation, £600 costs to get the scooter back and six penalty points when drivers who kill routinely walk free with little more than a ticking off? Examples of...

Cycling

Biodegradable bike cleaning kit for wet summer cycling

June 22, 2021

This time of year shouldn't be too hard on the commuter bicycle, but unseasonable rain means wheels are kicking muck from wet roads. Luckily we're here to offer a helping hand with this bike cleaning kit from Green Oil. Road grime and mud contribute to the wear and tear of drivetrain and other systems on your bike so cleaning is an...

Cycling

Electric bicycle sales soar during lockdown

June 17, 2021

Electric bicycle sales have almost doubled during lockdown according to bike retailer Halfords. Lockdown restrictions last year put the brakes on all but essential travel and there's no doubt the environment benefitted. For example, as the streets emptied of traffic in London, levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and particulates...

Cycling

E-scooters hit London streets - legally

June 15, 2021

A trial for legally hired e-scooters opened this week across a handful of London boroughs. Under the terms of the scheme, E-scooterists will have to park in designated zones enforced by geofencing. Speeds are limited to 12.5 mph and front and rear lights must be switched on at all times. If only such restrictions were applied to all...

Cycling

Bicycle bling - gold coloured multitool up for grabs

June 15, 2021

Whatever your level of skill where bike maintenance is concerned, it pays to have a multi tool close to hand. And if the device in question boasts gold-coloured anodised parts, so much the better. The Crank Brothers 19-function multi tool features a durable and lightweight steel and aluminium construction. And with an overall length of less...

Cycling

Post-pandemic cities and our kids' health

June 10, 2021

We treat kids like pests, but the real plague is our refusal to design cities in favour of people. Here in Britain, there’s a company selling the Mosquito, a device designed to emit an unbearably high-pitched sound only kids can hear. According to the website, the device is aimed at people 'fed up with groups of kids damaging their...

General News

Rising use of private jets sends CO2 emissions soaring

June 9, 2021

CO2 emissions from private jets in Europe increased by nearly a third (31%) between 2005 and 2019, rising faster than commercial aviation emissions, finds a new report from campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E). The report, Private jets: can the super-rich supercharge zero emission aviation?, reveals the climate impact of...

Environment

Bike accessories: Simple cycling solutions

June 1, 2021

The bicycle is a design of such efficiency that it no longer has any need to evolve, but that's not to say there is no desire for new takes on bike accessories. A range of beautifully simple and elegant extras for bicycles by Italian design students showcases a fresh approach to bike lighting, mudguards, bottle holders and bells. A playful...

Cycling

Carrying children by bike

June 1, 2021

They thought they'd solved the challenge of carrying kids by bicycle in 1951 by simply transforming a pram into a sidecar. While that particular idea didn't take off, bicycles remain one of the most joyful ways of travelling with your children. When it comes to carrying kids by bicycle, especially on the school run, there are various...

Cycling

BBQs, bicycles and beer

June 1, 2021

What a difference a week makes. With BBQ season well and truly upon us, why not ride to the party with a bicycle beer bottle holder? Hanging a heavy carrier bag from your handlebars while riding a bike can be a recipe for disaster and the answer, it seems, is a mallet holder. Geoffrey Franklin started Walnut Studio because he was unable to...

Cycling