The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday.
Local news
Go card boosts CityCycle use
Since Brisbane linked its public transit Go Card withits CityCycle bike share scheme back in December, bike share trips are up by almost 3,000 trips per month. However, many complain that adding the CycleShare option to the card remains too complicated.
Top priorities for regional Victoria
Just in case Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and Treasurer Michael O’Brien are wondering what worthy bike projects they should be funding in regional Victoria this year, Bicycle Network has compiled a list of ten projects in need of funding.
New trial in the pipeline
Bike riders in Hobart have a new off road route to ride, for a little while at least. The Pipeline Track between Fern Tree and Gentle Annie Falls is being trialed as a shared-use path for the next 12 months and, provided bike riders can safely share the track with walkers, it will remain so permanently.
International news
US targets impostor bikes
‘Fake’ bikes made using ripped-off designs put riders at risk, with bikes not made to the same standard or submitted to the same quality control tests. Just this week US Homeland security shut down ten websites offering counterfeit Specialized products and seized more than US$90,000 in funds connected with the sites.
250 stolen bikes seized
A London police bust has uncovered a staggering hoard of 250 stolen bikes. Several arrests have been made and police are now in the process of reuniting the bikes with their rightful owners.
Age of the bike share
From humble beginnings, there are now bike share systems in over 500 cities throughout 49 countries. Most were implemented from 2009 onward, indicating that bikes really are an increasingly integral part of urban life.
Health
Healthy heart, healthy mind
A new study has found that younger adults who smoke and consume excessive amounts of alcohol and fatty foods not only increase their risk of heart disease, they also risk cognitive decline starting in middle age rather than later life.
Video
Trick master
Andrew Dickey turns Melbourne into one giant bike park.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8lh0RMz8g]
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