“Was almost run over by a Right To Lifer, that could have potentially been ironic.” –@rosewal (Twitter)
I see 30 Days of Biking is back on in September. Ride a bike on 30 consecutive days. C’mon, let’s do it! It’ll be fun.
The myth of ‘The Fat-Burning Zone’:
Some argue that prolonged, moderate-intensity exercise in the “fat-burning zone” is best. Others argue that high-intensity interval training is the best way to shed excess body fat. The truth is, both types of exercise are effective for fat-burning, and a program that combines the two is likely to be more effective than one based on either type alone.
Hmm, what about a program involving neither and heaps of donuts?
AAP reports:
Rising levels of obesity in Australia is putting extra pressure on emergency doctors and other hospital staff.
A review of patients arriving at a Melbourne hospital’s emergency ward has found almost 60 per cent were overweight or obese, posing an array of extra challenges to those providing medical care.
Welcome to the chubby country.
‘This one runs on fat & saves you money’
We’ve had compulsory bicycle helmet laws for ages in Australia, and (for better or worse) debate on the topic doesn’t usually raise much interest. So you can’t help but connect the renewed local interest in bike helmet laws with the introduction of bike share in Melbourne:
While watching a handsome couple on a handsome couple of single cog bikes the other day, I found myself wondering this way: I understand the simple, minimalist beauty of the single cog but given that lots of people seem to ride them as much for style, why don’t you often see mudguards on a street fixie/single speed? I mean you can get some very stylish ones and in Melbourne at any time of year, you want to protect your tweeds from road gunk.
An Australian Vision for Active Transport (PDF, 4M) Now, if only there were an Australian government to present it to…
A bike that’s got a really unique combination of different wheel sizes, a toothed belt drive and hub less rear wheel! The USP being the gyroscopic effect of a large wheel aiding speed and more road-surface contact adding stability. The small front wheel saves space and enhances maneuverability.
[Thanks tom]
Elle magazine gets into cycling, chic of course. [twitterer]
On a loosely related topic, Pedal Panties Bicycle Lingerie “is a fashionable pantie for women who want to feel as good as they look when they ride.”
None of that really qualifies as “news”, does it?
Artists Make DIY Bike Lane Along Helsinki Thoroughfare [Thanks tom]
“La Vuelta Puerto Rico is the ultimate cycling adventure for serious endurance athletes. Circumnavigate the entire island as part of a fast-paced international peloton on this fully supported, three-day, 375-mile journey.”
The world’s best cycling routes: Isle of Wight, Tassie, France, Cuba, NZ…
Get out of the Car: A change in US driving patterns:
Statistical evidence recently released in America indicates that young people are driving less and fewer own a car.
Young people are opting to catch public transport and Richard Florida believes that this shift away from driving is a positive sign of innovative change.
Here’s Florida’s article that prompted this discussion, and the Advertising Age article that he refers to.
Just to labour the point, Florida clearly has a bit of a thing about commuting (by car, presumably). For example, see:
Photo: A cyberpunk on a bicycle. [via Doobybrain.com, twitterer]
This Strada velomobile is A Vision in Purple.
Streetsblog.net reports Texas judge deems cyclist guilty for riding on the road. Biz-arre.
Compilation of road safety videos—some of it actual footage, some of it made-for-TV community service announcements—all of it pretty real. [twitterer]
This public awareness campaign looks good: You Know Me, I Ride a Bike. [via Cyclelicious]
I’ve often wondered about the possibilities of pointing out that just about every driver must know and like someone who rides a bike.
One more reason to ride a bike.
Reinventing the City to Combat Climate Change
This Bike Shop Sign Ain’t Subtle [thanks Flipsockgrrl and tom]
Bike stolen poster advises thief “I hope my bike takes you straight to hell” [twitterer]
Carlton Reid observes that “If cyclists detonated on impact, motorists would no longer have any trouble spotting them up ahead and would give them the sort of road space they deserve.” Therefore he suggests clubbing together to buy a Caterpillar 797 monster mining truck.
This pirate ship bakfiets reminded me of the ol’ boat bakfiets. [twitterer]
Copenhagen’s Bicycle Butlers: Park Illegally and get your chain oiled and tires pumped. So civilised.