Ride On digest
The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday.
Local news
VicRoads trials new bike awareness device
New signs that light up when a bike rider is approaching an intersection are being tested at a problematic roundabout in Mordialloc, Melbourne, to increase driver awareness of riders and remind them to give way.
Right turning vehicles put riders at risk
A new study from the University of Adelaide and the Centre for Automotive Safety Research has found that the highest number of collisions involving a car and a bike occurs when car drivers turning right fail to give way to bike riders continuing on a straight path.
Sydney lanes stuck
Two bike lane projects – on Kent and Wentworth Streets – have been put on hold in Sydney pending a new city access plan to be revealed in March.
Mt Coot-tha Cycle Safe project underway
Police were at the popular Queensland roadie destination, Mt Coot-tha, last weekend recording rider speeds and speaking with riders about the dangers of speeding on the descent.
International news
Wales considers active travel law
A new active travel law has been proposed in Wales, which, if implemented, will require local councils to provide safe walking and cycling routes to key facilities, such as schools and hospitals in an effort to combat inactivity and obesity.
London mayor appoints cycling commissioner
Andrew Gilligan has been named the first ever London Cycling Commissioner. He will work closely with Transport for London to plan and implement more facilities for bikes.
H&M: the latest in bike fashion
Clothing fashion company H&M is set to launch a line of men’s casual bike riding apparel in March, with many of the garments made from recycled materials.
Encouraging women to roll
In an attempt to begin balancing out the gender gap in bike commuting, Ohio State University has undertaken a study to identify key barriers keeping women from riding.
Health
Cut back on night time eating
It’s been previously understood that we’re less able to metabolise food at night, and now a group of researchers have used mice to measure circadian rhythms and learn that insulin becomes largely inactive when we rest, making glucose more likely to turn into fat.
Video
A case of the Friday sillies
Sometimes, after a hard week, the only thing to do is put your bike on the rollers and crank some Beyonce.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClzQRqQ3dkE]
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