Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/return-of-paperboy-honda-unveils-bicycle-simulator/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/return-of-paperboy-honda-unveils-bicycle-simulator/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/return-of-paperboy-honda-unveils-bicycle-simulator/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You remember Nintendo's Paperboy, right? Back in Triassic era of videogames, you had to deliver the day's print to the right house while not getting run over by a car or taken out by a tire. Not exactly the most direct way to learn bicycle safety, but it was fun. A more efficient way to stay safe on a bicycle is Honda's new simulator, which aims to teach two-wheeled folks better on-the-road safety.

Traffic fatalities have fallen in Japan but bicycle fatalities have apparently risen, with teens and older riders the biggest victims. The majority of the problems apparently stem from breaking traffic rules, so the simulator allows riders to learn the ways of the asphalt without getting clobbered by a Daihatsu, and provides both learning and a "rider evaluation session" after the demo.

Honda is accepting pre-orders now, and the simulator will go on sale in Japan starting next February. For the full scoop, check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator

Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclegadgethondajapansimulatortechMon, 23 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes introduces new range of bicycles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/mercedes-introduces-new-range-of-bicycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/mercedes-introduces-new-range-of-bicycles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/03/mercedes-introduces-new-range-of-bicycles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


New Mercedes Benz bikes - click above for a high-res gallery

Mercedes Benz has announced an updated and expanded range of bicycles for 2009/2010. The new lineup includes two-wheelers of all shapes and sizes, including a pair of kids bikes. For more grown-up riders, Mercedes offers a range of styles, including the usual choices of mountain bikes and road racing bikes. There is also a new folding bike with a patented folding mechanism that allows it to collapse quickly without tools. In the fully collapsed position the bike takes up a volume of 31 inches by 31 inches by 14 inches, and it even has front and rear suspension.

There are also trekking and fitness bikes, and no Mercedes bike rider would be complete without a set of Mercedes riding clothes. Of course, in typical Mercedes fashion, the technology comes with a price to match. The bikes range from €299 for the kid's bike (around $430 USD) to €4,999 (more than $7,150) for the limited-edition carbon fiber racing bike.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz Bicycles


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes introduces new range of bicycles

Mercedes introduces new range of bicycles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benzbicyclemercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz bikemercedes-benzmercedesbenzMercedesBenzBiketwo wheelerTwoWheelerWed, 03 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: London mayor nearly killed on cycle while doing recon for new city bike routes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/video-london-mayor-nearly-killed-on-cycle-while-doing-recon-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/video-london-mayor-nearly-killed-on-cycle-while-doing-recon-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/25/video-london-mayor-nearly-killed-on-cycle-while-doing-recon-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above to view the video after the jump

On AutoblogGreen, we regularly promote the idea of parking your car and using an alternative form of transportation whenever it's practical. For those living in urban environments, cycling is a common and often faster approach compared to driving, and congested cities the world over have been working to make pedaling more viable in recent years. One of those cities is London, England, which has been battling intense traffic through such means as a particularly contentious congestion charge.

Unfortunately for those that opt for pedal power, a great many cars and trucks will remain on most roads for the foreseeable future. That means cycling may be more environmentally friendly, but it's also very risky. London mayor Boris Johnson learned this the hard way this week while ironically scoping out locations for new bike lanes in the British capital. A truck that looks like it might have been going too fast down a narrow street very nearly triggered a fatal accident with the mayor and the British transport minister. You can check out the entire incident as recorded by one of the thousands of closed-circuit video cameras that line London's streets after the jump. Hat tip to John R.

[Source: The Guardian]

Continue reading VIDEO: London mayor nearly killed on cycle while doing recon for new city bike routes

VIDEO: London mayor nearly killed on cycle while doing recon for new city bike routes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 May 2009 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebike lanebike lanesBikeLaneBikeLanesboris JohnsonBorisJohnsoncyclingcycling accidentCyclingAccidentLondonlondon mayorlondon mayor boris johnsonLondonMayorLondonMayorBorisJohnsonMon, 25 May 2009 19:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy a VW Rabbit, get a bike... if you live in Chicago]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/06/buy-a-vw-rabbit-get-a-bike-if-you-live-in-chicago/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/06/buy-a-vw-rabbit-get-a-bike-if-you-live-in-chicago/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/06/buy-a-vw-rabbit-get-a-bike-if-you-live-in-chicago/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen has been down this road before with the Jetta Trek back in the late '90s. This time, though, they're putting a green spin on it. Lime, to be exact. Chi-town Volkswagen dealers are giving buyers a bicycle and roof rack for the next month. The premise is that the dealer will encourage you to take your bike on quick, short-distance jaunts. Not driving a car at all by riding a bike is super effective at reducing fuel consumption, gridlock, and CO2 emissions. Biking is also way cheaper than exotic technological solutions; plus, you'll get some exercise, which is hard to come by in stop and go traffic. The cycle is still a Trek, dubbed the Lime, which is one of their newest models and has a three speed automatic transmission that automatically changes gears for you, in the hopes that you'll find it a more enjoyable way to ride. We'd probably hate it. It really is a great, simple solution that could work for a lot of folks. We know this is Autoblog, and this has turned into a bicycular love-fest, but we have to applaud the marketing stunt as an elegant (if gimmicky) way of focusing on our vast appetite for fuel.

[Source: VW via AutoblogGreen]

Buy a VW Rabbit, get a bike... if you live in Chicago originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikecarbonchicagoco2cycledealerfreefuelgreenrabbittrekvolkswagenvwWed, 06 Jun 2007 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Bike-bound man achieves .74 horsepower on dyno]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/bike-bound-man-achieves-74-horsepower-on-dyno/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/bike-bound-man-achieves-74-horsepower-on-dyno/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/bike-bound-man-achieves-74-horsepower-on-dyno/#commentsFiled under: ,



OK, this is pretty funny. Middle aged man on a bicycle pedaling away on a dyno, while he's cheered on by Mrs. Cable Guy and the rest of the team. The result is a reported 0.74 horsepower. Can only guess what Lance Armstrong might do, but we digress. We suppose the subject's name is Phil, as that's what the title says, but other than that, we have no further info on who these people are or why on Earth they felt the need to do this run, let alone film it and upload it to Streetfire. But hey, more than 2,500 clickers can't be wrong. If you have other similarly bizarre dyno pulls on tape, please share.

Thanks for the tip, dubbedinenglish!

[Source: Streetfire]

Bike-bound man achieves .74 horsepower on dyno originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicycleDyno runDynoRunMon, 13 Nov 2006 19:49:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Bicyclist outruns cops in high speed chase]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/07/video-bicyclist-outruns-cops-in-high-speed-chase/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/07/video-bicyclist-outruns-cops-in-high-speed-chase/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/07/video-bicyclist-outruns-cops-in-high-speed-chase/#commentsFiled under: , ,





Now, we certainly don't want to look like we condone this sort of thing, but OMG is this hilarious! A biker manages to evade police during a freeway chase and even wreck a cruiser in the process. Might not sound too special until you realize the "bike" is a bicycle, not a motorcycle. This guy is really flying here. Amazing speed and good instincts let this criminal slip away. No word on what he was wanted for or if he was caught yet, so if you know the rest of the story, please share.

Nice two-wheel tip, Brian!

[Source: Break.com]

VIDEO: Bicyclist outruns cops in high speed chase originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclecyclistSat, 07 Oct 2006 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Entry-level BMW for the playground market]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/entry-level-bmw-for-the-playground-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/entry-level-bmw-for-the-playground-market/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/10/entry-level-bmw-for-the-playground-market/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW launched another new model this week, a freshened version of its Kids' Bike. Targeted at the 2 1/2 to 6 year-old BMW demographic, the bike has easily removable pedals so that kids learning to ride can keep their feet on the ground and use it as a push-bike. Once the child is comfortable with balancing and stopping the baby beemer, mom or dad can add the pedals.

The blue and grey two-wheeler is certainly priced like a BMW - at $300. Available at bmw-online.com.

[Source: BMW]

Entry-level BMW for the playground market originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikekid's bikeKid'sBikekids bikeThu, 10 Aug 2006 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Bicycle donuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/video-bicycle-donuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/video-bicycle-donuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/video-bicycle-donuts/#commentsFiled under: ,



You know, not everyone can afford to waste tires by doing donuts in the parking lot using their own car. For that matter, not everyone can afford a car. Those lacking the funds to drift and do donuts all day long in their daily driver may want to check out this video. It's cheaper, safer and a much better workout than inducing your car to oversteer from the comfort of your Recaro.

[Source: YouTube via Faze]

VIDEO: Bicycle donuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikedoing donutsDoingDonutsdonutsdriftingfaze.netyoutubeMon, 17 Jul 2006 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Nice rack: Vauxhall courts cyclists with 2007 Corsa five-door]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/nice-rack-vauxhall-courts-cyclists-with-2007-corsa-five-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/nice-rack-vauxhall-courts-cyclists-with-2007-corsa-five-door/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/05/nice-rack-vauxhall-courts-cyclists-with-2007-corsa-five-door/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

General Motors of Europe imprint Vauxhall has released some photos of its upcoming five-door Corsa, in advance of the car's debut at the British International Motorshow.

Like the three-door version we've show Autoblog readers before, the five-door Corsa carries over much of the three-door's interior fitments, but it has more interior and cargo space, including "DualFloor" flexibility - a flexible system designed to maximize cargo space. Arguably the car's most interesting feature is its optional "FlexFix," a drawer-like contraption that pulls out from the Corsa's rear bumper to accommodate a pair of bikes.

As with the three door, buyers will have the option of specifying one of three gasoline engines (displacing 1.0, 1.2, and 1.4-liters, respectively), or 1.3-liter common rail diesel. If that isn't enough, the EuroGeneral promises that a third, more powerful oil-burner on its way.

[Sources: Motoring.co.za; Vauxhall]

Nice rack: Vauxhall courts cyclists with 2007 Corsa five-door originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BicycleBicycle CarrierBicycleCarrierBike CarrierBike RackBikeCarrierBikeRackCorsaCycleCyclistThulevauxhallYakimaMon, 05 Jun 2006 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear blows out 1,500 jobs, shutters European plants]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/goodyear-blows-out-1-500-jobs-shutters-european-plants/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has announced plans to slash 1,500 jobs in an effort to save $50 million dollars. The world's largest tire company will reach those goals in part by shuttering plants in Britain and Poland.

Part of its restructuring efforts that began last September, the manufacturer will jettison 585 employees at its UK Goodyear Dunlop facility in Washington, and a smaller outpost in Wolverhampton will shed around 40 employees, leaving about 450 workers.

Additionally, Goodyear's Debica, Poland plant will stop making bicycle tires and inner tubes, pink-slipping 360 employees.

The rubber giant says that it expects to incur charges of around $105-115 million USD in the process of exacting the changes.

[Sources: The Australian; Associated Press]

Goodyear blows out 1,500 jobs, shutters European plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AvonBicyclebridgestoneBritaincooperDebicaDunlopFalkenfirestoneGoodyearInner TubeInnerTubeKellyKumhoRubberTireTire RackTireRackTyreWolverhamptonFri, 07 Apr 2006 14:24:00 EST