Brooklyn by Bike

Found this fantastic gallery of photos from Brooks Saddle factory in Smethwick England.

Metal parts are stamped out and heat-treated, flat pieces of leather are soaked and then formed in molds and the parts are all assembled by hand. After seeing how much work goes into a single bike seat, these famously expensive saddles start to look cheap. [via Doobybrain via Wired]

Can you imagine if they replaced that giant tree composed of many other trees in Rockefeller center with something a little more sustainable? London’s got the right idea.

Sarah Wigglesworth Architects has been commissioned by developers igloo to create a bespoke Christmas tree for Bermondsey Square, London, SE1. The Bermondsey Square Christmas tree is composed of 35 recycled bike wheels, set on a simple structure, in the recognisable shape of a Christmas Tree. [via Architects Journal h/t @rachelleraehouse for the find!]

You might remember last year of a major dispute between the Hasidic community and bicycle community in Williamsburg regarding the Kent Ave bike lane. While that lane though redesigned stayed, last week the DOT stripped 14 blocks of bike lane off the street neighboring Bedford Ave with no warning or community voice. Bedford Ave bike lane provides a direct connection for cyclists to the the Williamsburg bridge – possibly the most highly trafficked bike commuter bridge in the city. The community is understandably upset considering how much work and community support must go into installing a bike lane. Apparently removing one requires no thought at all.

Yesterday Gothamist reported that a few people were arrested by the Shomrim or local watchdogs for trying to repaint the lane on Bedford though other sources report no one was actually arrested. Regardless, a group called  “OccupyEverything” succeeded in repainting the lane anyway!

Eric Corriel, a Brooklyn based artist has created an interactive video installation that explores the history of bicycle culture in Brooklyn from 1880 to today. The piece is viewable at sundown on Clinton and Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights from now until January 3rd, 2010 but check the calendar to be sure.

He’s looking for photo and video submissions from the cycling community. Help him out and become a part of the installation! [via Brooklyn Cycling]

This bike safety video might scare and/or confuse you but that’s part of the fun. Thanks to @sburgay for the find!

1963 Bicycle Safety Film entitled “One Got Fat”. A group of monkey-masked kids decide to ride their bikes to the park for a picnic. Along the way, one by one, the kids are knocked out of the ride due to careless or unsafe riding. Narration by Edward Everett Horton of “Fractured Fairytales” (Old Rocky and Bullwinkle) fame.

Sunny 60 degree weather in October spent on a bicycle with a group of friendly people had to have been the best way to end a season of rides here on Brooklyn by Bike!

Our Gears & Grub ride with VendrTV hit famed street food spots in Brooklyn from Sunset Park Chinatown to the Red Hook ball fields and the Brooklyn Flea.

[For more photos from the ride check out Flickr. Were you on the ride? Add you photos to our Flickr pool or to our Facebook event page! Map is below.]

Thanks to everyone who came out! I had a blast. We’ll do it again next season (unless I get that winter ride together)!

View Larger Map

São Paulo has been drowning in a sea of automobiles (6 million and counting). This car-centric urban transport model is showing signs of exhaustion. The average São Paulo inhabitant spends almost three hours a day stuck in traffic jams. That’s about 15 hours a week – or almost 2 working days.

Enter,  São Paulo Intermodal Challenge. “The challenge: to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible – during rush hour – using the mode of transportation of your choice.” [via PSFK]

And guess who wins?

What a fantastic way to bring bicycles into the mix as a potential solution for São Paulo’s transportation issues!

Hambone bags “give you a place to stash the most important of your cargo. Keep your wallet, cell phone, and tools close at hand with a bag that easily goes from your ride to the party.” [via Hambone]

I stumbled upon this site yesterday trying to decide whether or not to sign up for Escape NYC when I noticed they were giving these bags out as prizes. I’m guessing if you are crafty enough, you can create something similar yourself, but we like to support craftsfolk here at Brooklyn by Bike. They definitely beat my Velcro strap camerabag rig and they look so much better than those things that attach to your saddle.

Click the photo to check out their Etsy store