Fully Collapsible Folding Bike

Mexican industrial designer Victor M. Aleman has developed a concept fully collapsible, folding bicycle.

Source: greenexist1.com

Avoid The Flu Via A Folding Bike and Mask

According to the Center For Disease & Control (CDC), the Swine Flu epidemic is something we all need to "pay attention and plan ahead" for. But how exactly?

One minute Vice President Biden is telling people not to fly or take mass transit



Then, in the blink of an eye, official White House spin meister (Press Secretary) Robert Gibbs says flying, etc. is safe...



The issue with the new Swine Flu is that no one has antibodies yet to fight it off. As a result, more people that are exposed to it are likely to get the flu.

For most that catch the Swine Flu, it will mean nothing more than being sick a few days and thus missing work or school. But who wants to be sick if they can avoid it?

Frankly, I agree with the Vice President. If you don't need to, avoid confined places where you'll be sharing air with a lot of other people (commercial planes, subways, buses, etc.). If you NEED to be in those places, minimize your time in those confined spaces. For example...

• Take the bus or subway for a shorter distance, riding a bike the rest of the way so you're not in the bus/subway as long.
• Instead of taking a crowded elevator up/down a few flights, take the stairs.
  

If you're concerned about problems taking a standard, full size bike on the bus or subway, get a folding bike. Folding bikes that are suitable for commuting can be as economical as $159. When folded, some folding bikes are so small that they'll fit beneath your desk or the seat on the subway. Some mass transit authorities do require folding bikes to be bagged though.

Staying Healthy - Tips From The CDC:
Here are things you can do to lessen your chances of getting the flu:

• Wash your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hands cleaners.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Limit your exposure to crowds, especially in confined spaces (bus, plane, train, movie theater, classroom, restaurant, etc.).
• Pay attention to public health warnings.
  

Source: RideTHISbike.com/by Larry Lagarde

Okay to foldable bicycles

FOLDABLE bicycles will be allowed on trains and public buses during off-peak hours from March 15, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Teo Ser Luck announced in Parliament on Thursday.

The go-ahead comes after a six-month trial from May to November last year, as part of several initiatives to meet the transport needs of diverse groups of commuters.

Source : The Strait Times

Thank You David Hon!

Just completed my first tour on a folding bike...on a DaHon Speed P8, to be precised.

Used to be a skeptic but finally I braved myself to try one after seeing Chris Hoy riding one during the closing of Beijing Olympics.

This bike is a proven touring bike...slower but better handling & a reliable workhorse! I'd call it a KICK-ASS bike!

It took me slightly more than a minute to prepare the bike by simply unfold & lock it with quick-release clip, hook on all the panniers, bar bags etc.. without using any tools. Voila!

Whereas others (road/mtb/recumbent/touring) took approx. 15~20mins to re-fix their tires, pedals, handlebars, saddles, adjusting brakes & derailleur etc.

Almost hit 70km/h on descent, easy negotiating sharp corner ala Valentino Rossi's, able to follow 30km/h++ on flat (have to work harder because of the smaller wheel) but limited of gearing (option- to use internal hub to have 16 speed), I use 39T chainrings x 14T~16T cassette most of the time. But not to worry because a 'normal' touring would not require me to ride that fast all the time.

Able to ride on bad roads and off roads with 20" x 2.0 schwalbe big apple tires.

Full touring accessories are available- front & rear rack/fenders. Contact your local authorised distributor for those stuff.

Up right position & adjustable handle post for better riding position.

Chromoly frame- heavier but allow for more comfortable ride. Able to take up 105 kg of load (including the rider)

And it only requires a small space for storage- in car, train or at home. In fact, it is quite easy to carry around using the bike bag.

Conclusion- nice, comfortable ride but look awkward and/or funny (to some non-cyclist) when a big man like me riding a small bike. but still love it!

I guess, it has reignited my passion for cycling and bike touring after 2 years on 'sabatical leave'.
Thank you David Hon!

The New Kid on The Block

Finaly, I bought a Folding bike! Bought on the Dec 7, 2008. Can't wait to test it out during this coming Bike Tour. It's best for touring because it is a chromoly with 20" wheel & rear rack. Weigh approximately 11.8kg. So, it is on the heavy side. What the heck! It's for touring! The only modification that I've made (at the moment) is changing the chainring from 53T to 39T. So it's ready for the hill. And it took me 30~50sec to fold it.

Folding Bike Touring Anyone?

I think touring on folding bike must be more convenient & comfortable. And we can carry more stuff if use it together with the Lightweight Bike Trailer! Anyone?

Source: YouTube

Why Are Folding Bikes So Useful?

We have all seen them, those small-wheeled bicycles whizzing around congested city streets during the rush hour. Suited city gents wearing a cycle helmet with a briefcase strapped to the back luggage rack. When you see them arrive at the train station, you realise they have had the benefit of a bit more time in bed. Then they fold their bike up to a ridiculously small size and tuck it in a corner of the carriage. When they get to their place of work, it is a matter of folding the bike up again and popping it under their desk.

Folding Bikes are a serious part of the daily commute for many people. Not only do they speed up the journey, they help with fitness and of course, they are much more environmentally friendly than driving a family sized car to and from the station car park.

It is not only commuters who find a folder useful. Caravanners and users of RV's are able to arrive at their campsite and then easily tour the local area by bike. For people who use boats, on the sea, river or canal, the compact size of a folder means that they can easily stow it away on board. And, of course, a folder doesn't need a rack on the back of the car; it just goes in the boot.

Those of us who experience urban living, in apartments without parking facilities, will also benefit from a folder. No carting the mountain bike up stairs, or having to leave it chained up outside.

Just because a folder is built to fold up it doesn't mean that there has to be a loss of strength, or they are only confined to high quality tarmac roads. A Moulton, considered to be a Rolls Royce of bikes, held the speed record of 51mph. Airnimal produce high specification folding mountain bikes. An Airnimal Chameleon was ridden to Bronze in the World Triathlon Championships. Bike Friday are a popular US producer of folding bikes and their range even includes a folding tandem and a folding recumbent.

For many the Brompton epitomises the classic folding bike. You will see more of these coming of a busy commuter train than any other model. They feature a unique feature whereby the rear wheel flips underneath to form a stand.

New designs are coming through which are more and more unconventional and eye-catching. The Strida, which weighs just 22 pounds, is rustproof and completely greaseless since it uses a Kevlar belt for propulsion instead of a conventional chain. It looks like a triangle with a seat sticking out just below the apex. The Strida has won several design awards. For those who consider the time taken to fold the bike, there is the Mobiky Genius. Designed in response to the demands of a modern urban environment the Mobiky Genius features one of the fastest and easiest folds of any bike on the UK market. It also rides and handles perfectly in congested streets.

If you are thinking of a bike, but have to consider the difficulties of housing and securing a full sized version, have a look at the range of folders that are available first.

Source: StreetDirectory.com/Health&Food/RecreationPrograms by Craig Summer / photo from ridethisbike.com & bikecommuters.com