The week’s top bike news from around the world, brought to you every Friday.
Local news
Risky business
Crikey blogger Alan Davies takes a critical look at why so many riders ignore red lights and engage in other risky behaviour.
Budget bombs again
The Victorian State budget has again disappointed riders, with most of the state’s urgently needed bike infrastructure projects delayed for at least another year and the majority of funds diverted to the Eastern Freeway extension.
Day of grace for reckless driver
A South Australian driver was given a one-day grace period to drive out of Victoria before he incurred a ban on driving in the state. The ban was handed down by the Geelong Magistrates Court when the man and his passenger pleaded guilty to three charges, including recklessly causing serious injury, after they purposefully attacked two female bike riders.
International news
Boris gears up for a big ride
Join London Mayor Boris Johnson in phase one of Operation Chiseled Whippet as he prepares for the RideLondon 100-mile race.
Harvard calls for bike infrastructure revisions
According to a new study from Harvard University, the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, which is used by engineers to design new bike infrastructure, isn’t up to scratch. Researchers say that the guidelines put out by the American Association of Sate Highway and Transportation Officials needs to be expanded to include more separated bike facilities in order to get more bums on bikes.
How can America lift its daily bicycling rate?
In an effort to reduce obesity levels in America, Active Living Research have released a detailed report titled ‘How to Increase Bicycling for Daily Travel’. Currently, only one percent of daily trips are made by bike in the US, but the research shows that the key to growing this number is a combination of more infrastructure, changes to road policy and education programs.
Health
Power up with a nanna nap
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, a quick nap of up to 20 minutes can have help improve alertness and concentration for up to three hours. Longer naps can extend these benefits for even longer, but are likely to leave you suffering from sleep inertia for up to half an hour after you wake.
Video
The hell of O’Hea Street
One man. Four suburban climbs. An epic tour de force.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJc_YWBRXSs]
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