The Smartlock designed by Mike Lambourn (one of DACRC’s Interns) is doing the rounds on the design blogs at the moment. The lock incorporates Smartwater and a dye into the housing so when the perpetrator tries to cut the lock they, and their tools, will be covered with a liquid which contains tiny uniquely numbered identification tags aiding the authorities by linking the criminal to the crime. The same technology is currently used to allow banks and businesses to hunt down criminals. See what Bikeoff think of it on the Design Resource.
Yahoo! is releasing a bunch of bikes into the wild with built in cameras and GPS that take photos every 60 seconds the upload the results to Flickr. Check out the Start Wering Purple website and blog. Its even possible to check out where the bikes are.
The only thing is the name Start Wearing Purple makes me think of the song Start Wearing Purple by Gogol Bordello and i’ve been terrorising everyone in the office with it since…..
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?
