Pu spotted this guy at The Thames Festival on The South Bank at the weekend, he was pretty good apparently! Have you seen any interesting alternative uses for bikes? Post a comment and let us know.
As reported on the BBC News website , this concrete velodrome is due for renovation since its opening in 1900.
“An outdoor velodrome that first opened in 1900 will be used by cyclists for many years to come thanks to a revamp. Facilities at the track will be upgraded as part of a £323,000 scheme to enhance Carmarthen Park. The town council believes it is the oldest outdoor, concrete velodrome that has been in constant use in the world.”
This picture was taken recently and may be a consequence of space-saving issues within their flat. It also doubles up as a relatively secure option as it is kept behind closed doors and kept several floors up.
Do you have or have you seen any interesting residential storage solutions for urban life?
The guys over at Transport for London (TfL) have released an informative website for cyclists in London. The website features safety advice, route finders for cyclists, guides to traveling on public transport with your bike and a calender for bicycle themed events. In addition there is a section where cyclists can share links.
Magnus Pettersen from Central Saint Martins took first in a brief set by the Design Council that asked students to “create a product, service or communication piece designed to specifically reduce crime”. The ‘BLABR_stand’ acts as both bike rack and meeting point, so that people gathering there also keep an eye on the bikes, thus deterring thieves.
Recycling bicycle projects are becoming more popular in the UK. An example in Swansea called Re-Cycle take donations of unwanted bikes, repair and refurbish them and pass them on to low waged people for £10/20. You can even trade three days labour, get trained up in the process, and then take home a bicycle for free.
Typically a second hand bicycle bought “down the pub” will cost £20-£40. Has Ian Williams of Re-Cycle inadvertently taken the legs away from the stolen bicycle market in Swansea?
In Spring 2006 Bikeoff commissioned Bold Creative to visualise our research into bike theft perpetrator techniques. Consultation with cyclists (including victims of bike theft), the police and bike thieves enabled Bikeoff to identify the most common methods used by bike thieves to steel bikes - also how to avoid them. Bold Creative animated the research and “used narration from highly credible sources to demonstrate a real understanding of the problem to successfully communicate a variety of preventative techniques”
Bikeoff and our partners have used the film to communicate this research and inform cycling stakeholders of what they’re up against.
‘Know the Enemy’ has been screened at numerous cycling advocacy events, the London Architectural Biennale, London Bicycle Film Festival, London Design Week, Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Duke of Yorks Cinema, Brighton and Hove as part of the cities drive against cycle theft. The animation has since been distributed on DVD and virally via Bluetooth and the net.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson announced at the hand over of the Olympic games the launch of London Calling. A scheme for potential entrepreneurs, innovators and investors to get involved in making the games a long lasting legacy. It does seem a shame that these competitions are run with nation bodies who have full contact with educational establishments (such as the RSA) but at least there is some attempt to engage with design of more than buses. Full info here. Via Design Week
For further information (programme, venue directions etc) please see:
http://www.amiando.com/LBFFseminar.html
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