What Should I Do With My Bike For The Winter?

[via ninedaves]

In the warm NYC months, I practically live on my bicycle. Whether I'm going to work or putzing around the neighborhood, I'm pretty much always on two wheels. But as much as I love biking, I hate being cold waaay more. So the second the temperature drops, I drag my bike inside, buy a Metro card and countdown the days until biking season starts again.

This year, however, I've found myself in a bit of predicament. I have absolutely no idea where to put my bike for the winter. 

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Manhattan Breeds More Hipsters Than Brooklyn

Graph via Priceonomics

This according to a study done by Priceonomics, the self-described "price guide for everything." Know what they base all of this evidence on? The purchase of fixed gear bikes. Manhattan sells more than Brooklyn, apparently.

I wonder if they considered the fact that Manhattan is mostly flat while Brooklyn is peppered with mountainous hills. This is why I own a 10 speed. If I biked to Sunset Park on a fixie I'd probably die.

[Via Racked]

Cone Conundrum & Cyclist-Civilian Collision Conveys Conspiracy Conjecture

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

According to The Brooklyn Paper, there has been yet another cyclist-pedestrian collision, leaving a poor old man with a broken hand. The accident occured on Saturday around 4PM on West Lake Drive near the Vanderbilt Street playground.

Now, before we all jump on here and talk about how bikers suck and everyone hates them, do we want to address the fact that maybe these giant, garbage-can-sized barrels meant to prevent accidents aren’t really doing the job? There’s been talk of them blocking bikers’ visibility of pedestrians (not a good thing when trying not to hit them), and confusing the cyclists who aren’t sure which side of them to be on.

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Park Slope Parents Steal Their Own Bike Back

Photo via NewHiker.com

The Brooklyn Paper recently reported that a Park Slope dad took matters into his own hands after his family's bike was taken from it's usual parking spot in Park Slope and relocated to somewhere in Ditmas Park. Parent turned people's militia up in here, people. Apparently the cops were called and they said they couldn't do anything unless he had a serial number and proof of purchase for the bike (who keeps that shit?). But then the 5-0 supposedly hinted that the lock didn't seem like it would be too tough to cut, with the right tool. After a short trip to the hardware store, the family rode away into the sunset, back on their trusty steed. 

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NYC's Bike Share Plan Is a Lot Like Zipcar

 from treehugger.com

So are we ready for the next round of grumpiness from the old guard who hates all things bike related? Yes? Great. 

Last week the Department of Transportation announced the country's largest bike share program. It will place 10,000 bikes in designated sharing stations across Brooklyn and Manhattan. That's right! Move over Paris and Amsterdam -- New York City is getting all Euro on your asses. The city says there will be over 600 stations available for people to rent a bike on the cheap. You buy a yearly pass for $100ish, and can use the bikes as often as you want for up to 45 minutes at a time, and can return them to any station. 

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Brooklyn Cruisers: Vintage Inspired City Bikes

Ladies City Bike in TangerineLadies and gents: Got $500 to drop on a stylish, European-esque cruiser? I sure as shit don't, but if you do, consider a Brooklyn Cruiser.

They'll deliver anywhere in Manhattan (for $75), or you can test ride and purchase one at Park Slope's own 718 Cyclery on 7th Ave. 

Brooklyn Cruiser promises you'll be happy: Whether it's the super comfortable genuine leather saddle, the ergonomic cowhide grips, or the tried and true Sturmey Archer two speed hub, our stylish city bikes are built to last. After all, we designed these commuter bicycles for the streets of Brooklyn, so you know they're tough enough to withstand the rigors of urban life.    

Does it withstand all of Brooklyn's rigors? I'm still waiting for a bike equipped with a Go Go Gadget button that lets me jump over oncoming double-wide Bugaboos.

[ROUND-UP] Bike Lane Gift Guide

I knew the issue with the Prospect Park Bike Lane had reached epic proportions when my father called me to inform me of two things:

1. The Buffalo Evening News had reported on the shit that was going on with the the bike lane.

2. I must live in the stupidest goddamned neighborhood on the planet.

It's always nice to know that no matter how old you get, your parents, as long as their dialing fingers remain in tact, will always call you up and inform you how you're doing everything wrong.  I don't even care about the bike lane, but somehow I'm lumped into this douchey group of people that MUST have an opinion just via our proximity to the issue.

So, since everyone in this neighborhood HAS to be one one side of the yellow line on this issue, we've put together a Bike Lane Gift Guide for both sides.

Put on your helmets, dbags.

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