“DO NOT ENTER – BICYCLES OK”

Street sign in Santa Cruz, California.

I like this idea: receiving citations for pure bicycle awesomeness:

When photographic artist Leanne Eisen left the Scotiabank Theatre on Monday following a screening of Ponyo, she was surprised to find this piece of blue paper wrapped around the handlebars of her vintage bicycle. At first, she only saw the words, “Your bicycle has been ticketed because…”

Find the rest of the story at Torontoist.

Huff: Facebook foils bicycle thief.

Video: Inside look at the bike builder’s shop.

Kos: Bike Ride A Day comment:

When I was going into the 9th grade, I asked my Mom to get me excused from P.E. on account of my asthma. My asthma really wasn’t severe, but my adolescent angst was, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of enduring a daily opportunity to embarrass myself in front of my peers while wearing polyester shorts in a most unfortunate shade of blue.

And so, I assumed the mantle of gawky, uncoordinated nerd.

Fast forward to today. McDoc bought a bike last summer when we moved closer to his workplace. He wanted me to get one, too, so we could tool around together, but I declined, stubbornly sticking to my preference for walking.

McDoc can be stubborn, too, though, and when he took his bike in for a tuneup last month, he suggested I test ride a bike, just for grins.

OMG, it was so fun!

Read more.

Norcal Bikers on Plus 3. I’m on there too — look me up.

Cyclist kills pedestrian, jailed and banned from driving for a year. In the meantime, drivers who kill cyclists mostly get a slap on the wrist. Holier Than You reports on the SF Pedestrian Body Count.

The “SEE ME” light belt for runners, cyclists and walkers is an array of bright LEDs with the text “SEE ME,” based on the premise that simple text is easier for motorists to interpret than other, non-text symbols such as arrows.

According to SEE ME’s creator, the message is sharp, personal, and brief and flashes interrupt the distraction of even a cell phone user.

The electronics are in a waterproof housing and used as a belt that you wear around your waist. AA batteries provide power.

More details and ordering info from See Me.

HILARIOUS hipster fixie versus road cyclist rap video.

Props to Anna @ Wend.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the t-shirt giveaway.

Psst! Remember the contest.

MAKE Gadget Lab posted plans for “FootBelts” — DIY pedal straps. They use a wide strip of vinyl webbing and Velco to make a set of “speed straps” to allow you to quickly strap your feet in to the pedals.

I wonder if the MAKE plans can be modified to mount the strap diagonally across the pedal?

I’m a long time fan of Power Grips straps. They’re stiff straps that work well to keep my shoes connected to my bicycle pedals, and they work with any shoe. Power Grips are mounted diagonally so you slip your shoe in slightly sideways, and the strap tightens when you straighten your foot for pedaling so that it ‘cinches’ automatically. It works really well and there’s no need to reach down to quickly attach the straps.