ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Less commonly pedal power is used to power agricultural and hand tools and even to generate electricity.

Some applications include pedal powered laptops, pedal powered grinders and pedal powered water wells. Some third world development projects currently transform used bicycles into pedal powered tools for sustainable development.

Bicycle sales have been booming in recent years, with some sources saying high fuel prices may be responsible for the trend. Bike shops are reporting high profits, bike lanes are expanding, and the web is exploding with useful blogs and websites designed to help cyclists. We'd like to see this trend continue as commuting by bicycle saves a lot of money, improves your health, and is probably one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions!

Bike-sharing originated before car-sharing, but the early programs ran into trouble with theft and vandalism.Today's programs have gotten around the problems with electronic key systems and deposits that guarantee payment for damaged or missing bikes.Paris has developed the largest program to date with some 10,000 bikes, Beijing is planning one in time for the Olympics and many cities in the U.S. have, or are experimenting with, them.
http://www.bikeforums.net/
http://www.bikely.com/

America's first self-service public bike rental program.
http://www.smartbikedc.com/

http://www.velib.paris.fr/

http://www.bikesbelong.org/

No matter how often you ride you should give your bike a tune-up at least once a year.
http://bicycletutor.com/

Wooden Bicycles
The first bicycles were made of wood, and were called Velocipedes. The first known wood bike is thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci. While there is a lot of controversy surrounding the discovery of Leonardo's wood bicycle. Inventors all over the world have designed and built their own wood bikes, some for artistic value and others that have practical uses as a mode of alternative transportation.

Bike to Work
The Stark Mountain Health Plan, created by company co-owner Skimmer Hellier one morning fresh from a bike to work, pays employees $500 up front to buy a bike and promises an additional $500 if they completed 650 miles by the end of the year. For each mile they fell short of the goal, employees have to pay the company $1. All of the participants were on track to finish their 650 miles by the end of last week, Hellier said. Its been great watching as people get in better shape, Hellier said. Its been wonderful to see them go up that hill in 12th gear rather than 2nd gear.

New Belgium Brewing (NBB) in Fort Collins, Colorado, wants all its employees to cycle to work. NBB gives every employee a free bicycle after one year of employment and runs Team Wonderbike to encourage staff to bike to the office at least once a month. “Team Wonderbike is promoting bikes as tools for positive social change," says Chris Winn, NBB’s self-proclaimed event evangelist.

Become a Climate Cyclist
As global warming continues to change the earth and its environment, Climate Cycle organizes bicycle rides that raise money and awareness in response. Our first event will begin and end in Chicago's Grant Park, offering three different course options and showcasing a variety of green urban landmarks and scenic trails along the way. The money raised goes to purchase and install solar energy systems and funds educational programs for local schools.
Climate Cycle is committed to generating local solutions to global pollution. Our efforts save schools money through reduced energy costs while providing clean alternatives to harmful fossil fuels. Through this, children are empowered to take on one of the great challenges of our time while gaining the necessary tools to become leaders in the rapidly growing field of renewable energy.

http://www.climatecycle.com/

Our goal is to provide resources for people organizing, participating, or looking for information about the various Bike to Work Week (BTWW) and Bike to Work Day (BTWD) events being held around the world. Discuss the latest Bike to Work Week news in our forums.
http://biketoworkweek.org/

Catherine Burke will forgo petrol-powered methods of transport in favour of cycling to get from Adelaide to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23718619-2682,00.html

Pedal Power and see Cities up Close

Berlin hopes to have 15 per cent of its commuters on wheels by 2010. A third of people in Copenhagen are already pedalling their way to work. In Amsterdam, it's 40 per cent.

Some American cities are now leading the world in bicycle friendliness. San Francisco tops the list, with more than 96.5km of cycle lanes. All public transport in the city can now carry bicycles.

Of course, nowhere is more associated with the bicycle than China. Sadly, the humble two-wheeler is being edged out by the growing number of cars.

And in Zurich, 300 free bikes are available between May and October at various points around the city. All you need is a valid ID and $20 refundable deposit.

Over in Vienna, another great system allows you to pick up a yellow bicycle at one of many City Bike stands, then return it to any other.

Echoing a growing global trend for eco-friendly, easy-access bike schemes, it is the first in a major capital – and as such is being eagerly watched by city planners from Rio de Janeiro to Montreal.

"We want to shake up people's mentalities," said Celine Lepault, who runs the programme for Paris city hall.

"People tell us they love to cycle – but in the country, not the city. We want them to realise the huge advantages it brings in a place like Paris, in terms of time-savings, health, environment and lifestyle."

Parisians and tourists will be able to use swipe- or credit-cards 24 hours a day to rent cycles for short trips around the city, dropping them at any of 750 bike points to be picked up by a new user.
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,21903133-27984,00.html

A non-governmental, nonprofit, advocacy organization, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding.Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and bicycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.
http://www.ibike.org/index.htm