Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Watch this two-story tall bike negotiate LA traffic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/watch-this-two-story-tall-bike-negotiate-la-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/watch-this-two-story-tall-bike-negotiate-la-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/24/watch-this-two-story-tall-bike-negotiate-la-traffic/#commentsFiled under: ,

View from atop Stoopid Tall homemade bicycle high above Los Angeles traffic - video screencap

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 story bike los angeles2storybikelosangelesbicyclebicyclingbikeciclaviacyclinghuffyrichie trimblestoopid bikestoopid tallstoopid tall bikestoopidbikestoopidtallbikevideoWed, 24 Apr 2013 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20548433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/24/watch-this-two-story-tall-bike-negotiate-la-traffic/20548433/article-detail.xml 20548433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/stoopid-tall-ciclavia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/stoopid-tall-ciclavia.jpg <![CDATA[Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/italians-buy-more-bikes-than-cars-for-the-first-time-since-wwii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/italians-buy-more-bikes-than-cars-for-the-first-time-since-wwii/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/italians-buy-more-bikes-than-cars-for-the-first-time-since-wwii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Monica Bellucci on bicycle

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebicyclingcyclingeuropefuel pricesgasgas pricesItalymonica bellucciromesergio marchionneThu, 04 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20341755/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/04/italians-buy-more-bikes-than-cars-for-the-first-time-since-wwii/20341755/article-detail.xml 20341755 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/monica-bellucci-bicycle_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/monica-bellucci-bicycle.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Bike Magazine</i> loses pedal power in favor of Porsche power]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/22/bike-magazine-loses-pedal-power-in-favor-of-porsche-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/22/bike-magazine-loses-pedal-power-in-favor-of-porsche-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/22/bike-magazine-loses-pedal-power-in-favor-of-porsche-power/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Porsche recently commandeered California's Willow Springs raceway to hold a unique racing event that combined driving with cycling. Teaming up with Bike Magazine, Porsche created a duathlon that pitted a few top pedal-powered two wheelers against Flying Lizard wheelman Patrick Long.

All competitors started out on bikes, and then proceeded to pedal through a lap of the track. After that, it was time to hop into a variety of Porsche vehicles and set gasoline-backed lap times. Since Long is a ringer behind the wheel, he was saddled with a Panamera loaded down with the rest of the competitors.

The amusing event was captured on film, and we'll be good car guys here and tell you that the best motoring action happens towards the end of the clip. Click past the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Bike Magazine loses pedal power in favor of Porsche power

Bike Magazine loses pedal power in favor of Porsche power originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911bicyclingbike magazinecyclingduathalonpanamerapatrick longporscheporsche 911porsche panameraporsche videovideowillow springsThu, 22 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20048999/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/22/bike-magazine-loses-pedal-power-in-favor-of-porsche-power/20048999/article-detail.xml 20048999 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/porsche-duathlon_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/porsche-duathlon.jpg -1 2