Autoblog

Watch this two-story tall bike negotiate LA traffic

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Last weekend, Los Angeles' Venice Boulevard was shut down from the beach nearly to downtown for Ciclavia, an event in which cyclists take over one of the city's primary east-west arteries. One of the riders that day was Richie Trimble, who was pedaling from 14.5 feet in the air on a homemade bicycle dubbed Stoopid Tall.

Essentially a Huffy atop some scaffolding, once Trimble took off riding, there was no stopping him, literally, since Stoopid Tall has no brakes (it's too tall to stick a leg out to balance at stops anyhow). As with an oversized load being hauled through the city, Trimble had helpers blocking traffic. Next time, he might want them to take note of bridge heights, too. Check out his ride in the video below.

Continue reading Watch this two-story tall bike negotiate LA traffic

Watch this two-story tall bike negotiate LA traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest ultra-light Lamborghini only costs around $32,000

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini, Design/Style, Luxury

Lamborghini, not finished celebrating its 50th anniversary with special models like the Veneno, has subtracted two wheels for the next stage of the party. The BMC Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Edition Impec is the second go-round of the collaboration between Swiss bicycle maker BMC and the Italian carmaker, both based on linking the carbon-fiber framed Impec to the carbon-fiber bodied Aventador.

Last year's run-of-30 Impecs has become this year's run of 50, each one built to order, and each costing 25,000 euros (about $32,000 US). BMC's special framebuilding technique is graced by a paint job unique to the model, Italian components and the same leather used in that taurean coupe. As with the car, you can order it at your local Lamborghini dealer and take delivery there.

If you're keen, the press release below can tell you what it will take to throw a leg over.

Continue reading Latest ultra-light Lamborghini only costs around $32,000

Latest ultra-light Lamborghini only costs around $32,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII

George Kennedy — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Europe

In the midst of economic turmoil in Europe, more Italians are turning to bikes as their preferred mode of transportation. Such is the bicycle's popularity in Italy that purchases of the pedal-powered two wheelers have eclipsed automobile sales for the first time since World War II.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, last year 1.75 million bikes were sold in Italy, compared to 1.748 million motor vehicles. Contributing to this trend are rising fuel prices and hefty costs associated with keeping a car on the road. Gas prices recently hit €2 a liter ($9.50 a gallon), and the average cost of ownership is estimated at around €7,0000 ($9,000) a year.

There is also the sheer congestion associated with driving in many parts of Italy. Narrow roads and a high level of automobile ownership (6 in 10 own cars, one of the highest rates in the world), have made for cramped streets in many Italian cities. The author of the report notes that a several-mile journey in the heart of Rome is quicker by bike than taxi.

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne is among those feeling the heat from this trend, admitting "Anyone operating in the automotive sector in Europe today is experiencing varying degrees of unhappiness. The European car market is a disaster." Fiat released industry figures that showed September auto sales down 25 percent compared to the same period in 2011.

Antonio Della Venezia, president of the Italian Federation of Bike Lovers told Italian paper La Republica, "People who have only ever driven cars are changing their thinking. I don't think Italy will go back to the levels of car sales that we saw before 2008."

He may be right. Many families are downsizing to just one car, participating in carpool groups, and purchasing bicycles as alternatives to the rising costs of automobile ownership. It is estimated that around 200,000 old bikes have been restored for regular use. The inexpensive and convenient mode of transportation has once again caught on in Italy - just ask Monica Bellucci.

Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Translogic checks out Austin's impressive infrastructure

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Videos

Too often, discussions about how best for people to get around crowded urban environments turn into an argument, with cars pitted against bicycles, highways versus public transit and improving commute times challenging pedestrian safety. But not in Austin.

In this latest episode of Translogic, our sister publication looks at how the Texas capital has embraced multimodal transportation, choosing "all of the above" rather than picking any one idea on which to hang its transportation strategy. With as rapidly as the city and surrounding region has been growing - now boasting some 1.2 million residents - the need for forward-thinking transportation planning is acute.

From wide, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks to bike lanes, car sharing to public charging stations and light rail, Austin seemingly has it all. The city isn't sitting still, either, promoting such ideas as bike lockers in office buildings with shower facilities to encourage two-wheel commuting, and getting ready to launch a bike sharing program next year. Federal money to develop a high-speed bus system will further enhance Austin's transportation alternatives.

Scroll down to watch the full Translogic episode and see what they're doing to Keep Austin Weird... and green.

Continue reading Translogic checks out Austin's impressive infrastructure

Translogic checks out Austin's impressive infrastructure originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Aug 2012 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeremy Clarkson professes his love for... bicycles?!

Zach Bowman — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

Occasionally, we get the impression Jeremy Clarkson is simply screwing with the rest of the world. Either that, or he has no bodily control over over the way his lips, tongue and vocal chords move.

In the past, the "Top Gear" presenter has been notoriously belligerent toward any form of transportation that doesn't involve the burning of hydrocarbons, bicycles included. After famously railing that bikes and cars have entered into an undeclared war in London, Clarkson has come out in support of Copenhagen's bicycle culture, calling it "fan-bleeding-tastic." If that's not strange enough, he claims he would live in the city in a heartbeat.

Confused? According to Clarkson, the difference is that, while bikes are forced to co-exist with cars in London, Copenhagen cyclists simply have to contend with one another. As a result, there's no weird high-visibility clothing required and significantly less hostility toward your fellow man.

Makes sense to us, though we have a hard time envisioning Clarkson on a bike. The last time the personality took to something with less than four wheels, it didn't go so well.

Jeremy Clarkson professes his love for... bicycles?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a bus driver block escape of hit-and-run driver

Chris Shunk — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Videos

There has been plenty of debate about whether bicyclists should be able to take up a lane typically reserved for motor vehicles. While that argument is far from settled, we can all agree that hit-and-run accidents between cars and bikes have got to stop.

At least one bus driver seems to agree with that statement, as evidenced by the action displayed in this video posted by the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania police department. The driver in question, a minor, faces multiple charges.

After seeing the bicyclist get hit, a quick-thinking bus driver can be seen blocking both traffic lanes, leaving the hit-and-run driver with nowhere to go. Well done. Hit the jump to watch the traffic camera footage.

Continue reading Watch a bus driver block escape of hit-and-run driver

Watch a bus driver block escape of hit-and-run driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford channels Captain Obvious with new E-Bike Concept

Noah Joseph — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Etc., Ford, Electric

Ford model names have always been rather esoteric. Okay, so Model T was fairly straightforward, but just about everything since has been named to evoke an image of something else: Mustang. Explorer. Focus. Heck, even Taurus is more imaginative than calling it the Ford Rental Car. The Blue Oval's latest product, however, is considerably more straightforward. At least in name.

Dearborn's newest debut is an e-bike called... the E-Bike. And as you might have guessed, it's an electric bicycle. The lightweight frame, made of carbon-fiber and aluminum, incorporates a 340Wh lithium-ion battery pack that drives a 350W electric motor in the front wheel hub. The system is managed by state-of-the-art electronic sensors which, Ford is keen to point out, are derived from Formula One - although the company hasn't been active in the series since 2004.

The concept bike is being showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but only after all the journalists have gone home. And though Ford admits it has no plans to put the two-wheeler into production, the E-Bike Concept is part of its ongoing research into alternative transportation. We'll be waiting for the Ford Bus Pass to debut sometime in the coming months. Read more about it in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Ford channels Captain Obvious with new E-Bike Concept

Ford channels Captain Obvious with new E-Bike Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daimler gets in on the electric bicycle game with Smart E-Bike

Noah Joseph — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Etc., Smart, Electric

Cars don't get much smaller than the Smart ForTwo, but that, apparently, still isn't small enough for Daimler. So after having unveiled electric scooter and bicycle concepts at the Paris Motor Show last year, the Smart brand has announced plans to putting the latter into production in time for this year's Frankfurt expo.

Why electric bikes, you ask? If for no other reason, then because of their sheer growth. Smart notes that in its home market of Germany alone, the market for e-bikes rose nearly threefold from 70,000 in 2007 to 200,000 units in 2010. Across Europe as a whole, the market has shot up from 200,000 in 2007 to 500,000 in 2009 and 700,000 in 2010. Those are some compelling numbers, so little wonder Daimler is getting on board.

Created in collaboration with electric bicycle specialists Grace, the Smart e-bike packs a 250-watt electric motor juiced by a 400 Wh lithium-ion battery that can provide a selectable level of boost to the rider's pedaling. Disc brakes front and rear do the stopping power, recharging the battery from the regenerative braking system. The battery can provide up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) of cruising depending on how much power is dialed in, and can even charge a mobile phone through the integrated USB socket.

The smallest Smart yet will be launched in Europe and North America early next year, after being unveiled at the Eurobike show in Friedrichshafen and the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. In the meantime you can scope it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Daimler gets in on the electric bicycle game with Smart E-Bike

Daimler gets in on the electric bicycle game with Smart E-Bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche finds new configuration for four wheels with a pair of street bikes

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Porsche, Design/Style

If you were surprised when Porsche started producing SUVs and four-door sedans, wait until you get a look at these. Following recent bicycles created by (or for) the likes of Mini, Maserati, McLaren and Land Rover, Zuffenhausen's merchandizing division Porsche Design has just added a pair of new bikes to its Driver's Selection range.

The Porsche Bike S is built around an aluminum frame with an 11-speed toothed belt drive system, while the Porsche Bike RS (short for Rennsport) features a carbon fiber frame and 20-speed Shimano XTR gear system. Both pack 29" wheels and hydraulic Magura disc brakes, and an individually-numbered anti-theft label fitted under the paint.

In short, perfect for tossing in the back of your Cayenne Hybrid and heading out to your favorite bike path for a little self-propelled wheeled enjoyment. Follow the jump for the full press release, scope out the high-res images in the gallery and follow this link to the dedicated website for more.

Continue reading Porsche finds new configuration for four wheels with a pair of street bikes

Porsche finds new configuration for four wheels with a pair of street bikes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini designs its own folding bike

Noah Joseph — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Mini

Mini Folding Bike - Click above for high-res image gallery

Old world cities like London and Paris suffer from brutal traffic congestion in their downtown cores. That's where a car like a Mini or Smart truly shines. But even a small hatchback can have trouble getting around when things really get tied up. That's where a folding bike comes in handy. Little wonder, then, that Mini has designed a collapsible bicycle of its own.

The Mini Folding Bike is built around a lightweight aluminum frame that easily folds in a matter of seconds to be placed inside a car's trunk or carried onto public transport with a minimal fuss. The crossbar, handlebars and pedals fold up and the gel seat retracts to save space. All told, the bike weighs only 11 kilograms (24 pounds) and packs eight gears, 20-inch wheels with mud guards, an under-seat pouch, and a Teflon-coated chain that reduces both wear and the prospect of getting dirty while handling it.

Follow the jump for the press release and check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Mini Folding Bike

[Source: Mini]

Continue reading Mini designs its own folding bike

Mini designs its own folding bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati pedals back in time with retro Montante 8CTF bicycle

Noah Joseph — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Maserati

Montante for Maserati 8CTF - Click above for high-res image gallery

When an automaker designs (or at least lends its name to) a bicycle, it serves more than just as a two-wheeled mechanical transport: it embodies what the brand stands for. So when Lexus made one, it was a hybrid. When McLaren did, it was streamlined and made out of carbon fiber. The BMW M division's is made of aluminum and painted matte anthracite, while Audi's is made of wood. (You'd have figured Land Rover's would be a mountain bike, yet it wasn't - but all-wheel-drive champion Subaru's was.)

The latest to join the field is Maserati, which has teamed up (appropriately enough) with Sicilian bicycle workshop Montante on this decidedly retro ride. The 8CTF pays tribute to the eponymous Maserati racer in which Wilbur Shaw took the checkered flag - two years running - at the Indianapolis 500 seventy years ago. The deliciously detailed, made-to-measure bike features only one speed and a single disc brake, and will be strictly limited to 200 examples, each selling for €3,600 ($5,200) through the online Maserati Store.

Gallery: Montante for Maserati 8CTF bicycle

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading Maserati pedals back in time with retro Montante 8CTF bicycle

Maserati pedals back in time with retro Montante 8CTF bicycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is what it looks like when an F1 team makes a bicycle [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

S-Specialized + McLaren Venge bicycle - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you were going to ride a bicycle designed by a British automaker, who would you want to build it - Land Rover or McLaren? If it were a mountain bike, maybe Land Rover. But for a racing bike like this one, we'll go with McLaren.

Shortly after the debut of the Range Rover Evoque road bike comes this very slick racing bike, designed and fabricated collaboratively by McLaren and Specialized. The latter, as you might have guessed, contributed the basic bicycle-building know-how, while McLaren Applied Technologies brought the expertise in lightweight materials garnered from winning 169 grands prix, 12 drivers' Championships and eight Constructors' titles over the course of its years in Formula One. The result is a frame that weighs just 2.09 lbs - some 10-15 percent lighter than other carbon-fiber bike frames, achieved through a new way of cutting the fiber sheets.

The S-Specialized + McLaren Venge made its debut at the classic Milan-San Remo race this past weekend, where 2009 Tour de France winner Mark Cavendish rode it to finish a respectable 52nd out of the 156 cyclists who actually completed the race. Follow the jump, if you're so inclined, to watch video footage of one of McLaren's engineers geeking out on how the Venge was developed, or just skip straight to the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: S-Specialized + McLaren Venge bicycle

[Source: McLaren]

Continue reading This is what it looks like when an F1 team makes a bicycle [w/video]

This is what it looks like when an F1 team makes a bicycle [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover gives the Evoque an extra set of wheels

Noah Joseph — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque bicycle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Automakers designing bicycles is nothing new. Sometimes they're radical departures on the age-old wheeled machine, and sometimes they're new takes on the same classic form. The latest appears to be the latter, but that doesn't make it any less desirable.

Designed by Land Rover's design team to compliment the Range Rover Evoque, this road bike consists of a carbon fiber frame crafted by Karbona using F1-derived technology. The aerodynamically-optimized frame is fitted with an integrated seat tube, alloy handle bars, a 20-gear Shimano Ultegra system, black chrome trim and leather saddle.

This truly is a Land Rover-badged vehicle with no hope of ever traveling off the beaten path.

What's more, the crossover used to transport it, naturally, comes extra. Details in the press release after the jump, with high-res images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Range Rover Evoque bicycle by Karbona

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover gives the Evoque an extra set of wheels

Land Rover gives the Evoque an extra set of wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M division cranks out a human-powered bike

Noah Joseph — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., BMW

BMW M Bike - Click above for high-res image

There aren't a lot of automakers also making motorcycles. Honda, Suzuki, Peugeot, BMW... along with Triumph once upon a time and Yamaha dabbling in the automotive consultancy business. That just about covers it. But there are plenty churning out branded bicycles, and Bimmer's M division is the latest.

The 28-pound cycle is based on a sleek aluminum frame, available in three sizes and coated in matte anthracite paint. It's topped by a leather fi'zi:k saddle with a red inlay and fitted with a Manitou Match front suspension fork, Shimano SLX gear system - what, no dual-clutch transmission? - and disc brakes front and rear.

The BMW M Bike will only be made in limited quantities starting in June from select dealership and www.bmw-shop.com. Just don't expect dealers to begin giving them away free with the purchase of a new X3 like Volkswagen did with Trek. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW M division cranks out a human-powered bike

BMW M division cranks out a human-powered bike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BERU Factor 001: Formula 1 engineers create a bicycle

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Ever wonder what F1 engineers could make if they didn't have to comply with the regulations governing the sport? Well, here you just might have your answer. Only it's not a car, it's a bicycle.

The product of British engineering firm BERU F1 Systems, the Factor 001 very well might be the pinnacle of road bikes. Without having to comply to the regulations of any particular cycling series, BERU was able to start from scratch and design the bike the way they best saw fit. The carbon fiber monocoque frame is painstakingly built according to the customer's specifications and measurements and features carbon-ceramic brakes and an LCD touch-screen that displays biometrics and various other readings.

BERU will only produce a few hundred examples of the Factor 001, which may come down more to the time factor: each example takes six engineers a week to build. Currently on display at London's Science Museum and at Harrod's department store, prices - are you ready for this? - start at a whopping £22,000. That's about $34 grand in American greenbacks, in case you weren't cringing enough already. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: BERU F1 Systems Factor 001

[Source: BERU F1 Systems]

Continue reading BERU Factor 001: Formula 1 engineers create a bicycle

BERU Factor 001: Formula 1 engineers create a bicycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Return of Paperboy? Honda unveils Bicycle Simulator

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Honda

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.

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Mercedes introduces new range of bicycles

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green, Mercedes-Benz, Lifestyle

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.

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

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Green, Safety, Videos, UK

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.

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Buy a VW Rabbit, get a bike... if you live in Chicago

Dan Roth — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Green, Volkswagen, First Drives

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.

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Bike-bound man achieves .74 horsepower on dyno

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:49:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

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.

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