Who needs a bike lane when you can just hop over traffic?

A trio of Czech companies collaborated to create the “F-Bike” flying electric fat tire bicycle.

The design team from Duratec (a custom frame builder), Technodat (which provided the 3D modeling tools) and Evektor Aircraft began working together about a year ago to design this bike. Construction of the prototype bike began last August, and today, the F-Bike took its inaugural five minute flight. For comparison, bike designer Orville Wright’s first historical flight on the Wright Flyer 1 lasted 12 seconds.

The 95 kg bike was remotely piloted with a dummy on board. Project lead Milan Duchek of Duratec says more powerful batteries will be needed before human flight is possible.

Photos from AP of this first flight of the F-Bike all over the web now; the Chronicle is one place. H/T to Platty Jo. Project website is at DesignYourDreams.CZ. There’s been no word thus far from the Wall Street Journal editorial board on the terror this flying bike will inflict on innocent New Yorkers. Mountain bike shuttle operators also had no comment on the impact such a bike might have on their businesses.

Guide Dogs for the Blind, an organization which pairs people with trained dogs, has a training facility in San Rafael, California. A pair of instructors walked on the sidewalk with O’Neil, a Labrador Retriever, when the dog noticed something coming from behind them.

You can see O’Neil turn his head at 4 seconds in this security camera video. Trainer Todd Jurek notices, looks back to see the looming danger and immediately pushes Danielle Alvarado and O’Neil around a corner and out of harm’s way.

The occupant of the car was a 93 year old woman who apparently lost control. May I suggest you look into Marin Transit’s travel training for seniors program?

Details at the Marin Independent Journal: Disaster averted in downtown San Rafael when Guide Dogs trio escape car on sidewalk. H/T Yukie.

“You know, we used to say the same thing about the Irish, and look at them now! They’re running the joint!”

We’ve all seen that cranky tantrum by Dorothy Rabinowitz, who sits on the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board. That was one for the ages.

Jason Gay, a sports writer for the Journal who frequently writes on bicycling issues in New York City has another take on the new (and tremendously popular) Citi Bike Share while poking a little discrete fun at Ms Rabinowitz and others who try to generate controversy out of something that isn’t so controversial.

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While cycling to work this morning I watched a group of fourth graders from Don Callejon School in Santa Clara walk to the River Oaks light rail station for a field trip. They crossed Lick Mill Boulevard as a tight little group, with motorists waiting patiently for the 40 or so kids to cross.

I smiled at the lead group of teachers and chaperons as they walked by and gave them all a big gold star in my mind. That gold star became a frowny face for whoever took up the rear of this group: She yelled at the children to “HURRY UP, THERE ARE CARS WAITING FOR YOU!” hence reinforcing the baseless belief that people in cars are more important and have a natural priority over those on foot.

Get a grip, lady. Their little legs were keeping up with the group just fine, and I’m fairly confident there weren’t any life threatening emergencies in those cars.

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The New York Post suddenly likes bikes? The caption for this bike style gallery includes the text, “We like bike! No matter your style, there’s an outfit for every ride.”

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