Bike sharing is a concept that has taken strong hold in Europe and in Montreal, Canada, on this side of the ocean. The idea being that located around the city are bike racks with specially built bike that you can “borrow” ride to where you want to go and drop off at a nearby bike rack; either that or complete your chores and return home dropping off the bike on the way.

Boston is one of the first cities in the U.S. that will be setting up such a system; with the help of Canadian company Public Bike System Company, that will see 290 stations setup around the city. While the contracts still have to be signed Boston hopes to have the system up and running by next summer. Additionally other cities are looking at implementing the bike system as well.

A Canadian company, the Public Bike System Company, was selected to bring a network of bike-sharing stations to Boston, and plans to expand the system into Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline shortly afterward. Each city still has to finalize contracts with the company before the program can begin, said Amanda Linehan, a MAPC spokeswoman.

“This will make it easier for people to use bikes to do errands, to attend meetings during work hours, and to visit friends,” Marc Draisen, executive director of MAPC, said in a statement. “It will take cars off the road and improve our air quality. The Public Bike System Company already runs a great system in Montreal, and we’re pleased to provide the municipalities the opportunity to enter into a contract with them.”

Source: Boston.com :: Vendor selected for Boston area bike-sharing program

image courtesy of Inhabitat

Bike sharing is a growing idea coming to Boston is a post from: The Inquisitr

Charles Diez, an Asheville, North Carolina, firefighter, apparently got so upset with a man riding with his child on a bust road that Diez shot the man.

The shooting happened Sunday morning as the victim was riding with his wife and had his 3 year old son in a child seat attached to his bike. Diez pissed that the man was riding through the heavily travelled Tunnel Road pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting the victim in his bicycle helmet.

They said the bullet penetrated the outer lining of the helmet but did not actually hit the victim’s head.

Police arrested Diez and charged him with attempted first degree murder.

His bond was set at $500,000.

Source: WYFF4.com :: Police: Asheville Firefighter Shot Bicyclist

I bet that guy won’t ever forget his helmet, or the recently purchase Kevlar vest.

Pissed firefighter shoots man in head – thank god for helmets is a post from: The Inquisitr

Well actually with the help of Kid Kustoms your kid could be the cool one on the block. With a little magic from a conversion kit you can turn their pretty standard trike (even at standard it looks pretty good) into the hottest looking trike on the block. Then for those times when they have to do some serious hauling you can also get a matching wagon for them to hook up to.

via LikeCool

We can only hope our kids could be this cool is a post from: The Inquisitr

As transportation cost go up a lot of people are looking at alternatives and when it comes to living in metropolitan areas bicycles are at the top of the list. The big problem with them though is where to you park then, safely, once you get to your destination after all most bike racks out there are bent steel racks of pure ugly. That is of course there is even a bike rack to be found since most businesses aren’t overly inclined to install them around their premises.

Bike Arc is aiming to change that with some really modern looking rack systems that defy traditional concepts of bicycle racks. Using a modular system the company can install different designs depending on the needs of the business and the location. The Rac Arc is low profile, the Umbrella Arc is a space saver (see video below), while the Tube Arc and the Half Arc protect bikes from the elements.

Futuristic looking bike racks here today is a post from: The Inquisitr

Watching Danny MacAskill performing his magic makes you wonder sometimes if the law of gravity has been repealed. He does things on two wheels that most people can’t, or wouldn’t, dream of doing. The video looks to be a part of a campaign InspiredBicycles.com.

I’m not sure if I’d be inspired to even think about trying some of the stuff that Danny does but the video will definitely cause some jaw dropping.

Impossible bike stunts on video is a post from: The Inquisitr

I’m that when it comes to something like a bicycle our mental image is one of two wheels and a tubular metal frame holding it altogether. whether it be a mountain bike or a sleek looking racer not much has really changed about the two wheeled beauty. Well the folks at BERU f1systems decided to start with a fresh blank sheet and design something new.

By taking a look at the bike in the picture it is easy to see that they did indeed come up with something unlike most of the bikes on the market today. The bike, called the Factor 001, uses the latest technologies from motor sport, aerospace and uses some of the most cutting edge materials from around the world.

Unlike conventional bicycles, the Factor 001 is being designed from the ground up as an integrated, cohesive device. By taking component integration to a new level the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts – riders of the Factor 001 will experience unprecedented, efficiency, responsiveness and durability.

Factor 001 will be the first truly modern training aid for the serious athlete. The fully integrated, multi-channel ergonometric data recording system will deliver a richer record of athletic performance than could previously be achieved. For the first time, riders and their coaches will collect and analyse laboratory-quality data in a real-word environment.

Source: Factor 001

Not to mention the fact that it would definitely turn heads if you saw it cruising down the street.

hat tip to Inhabitat

Futuristic bicycle even tracks you heartbeat is a post from: The Inquisitr