Important Innovations Collection

Yerka's Theft Proof Bikes                                        Source:  Yerka Bikes Yerka V3's Total Frame is the Lock Yerka Bikes, based in Santiago, Chile, has invented a third generation "theft-proof" bike.  This bike literally locks itself down when you apply your key to its lock.  Bike thefts are a major problem around the world.  In the case of the Yerka V3, the thief has to destroy the bike in order to steal it, making it totally unusable.  The total bike is the locking system. It goes into a lockdown mode to prevent it from being stolen. World of Stolen Bikes In Europe alone, one bike is stolen every four minutes.  Multiply that across the planet.  Thieves are able to saw through u-locks or chain lock techniques to steal the bike and leave the bike owner behind high and dry.  If a thief tries to saw through the Yerka 3, they...

Britain and France Getting on Board Source:  Bikes in Amsterdam The Cycling Commute There is a significant trend from the global pandemic: individual personal mobility is far preferable to public transportation. As a result, bikes are getting a big boost in Europe as governments search for means to get people safely to work without crowded buses, trains and subways.  As the lockdowns ease and people start returning to their places of work, many will be doing a cycling commute. Britain and France Britain has just rolled out a $308 million emergency active travel fund to get commuters to cycle to work.  France is investing $22 million to develop and subsidize cycle commuting.  Both countries are also installing temporary bike lanes to facilitate the cyclists. Amsterdam Many cities in northern Europe, like Amsterdam, have a long history of travel by bikes and they have the infrastructure in place to support it.  In the Netherlands, 27% of commuting is...

Airless Tires Source:  Bridgestone World First from Bridgestone It's been a long time coming but Bridgestone has created airless tires.  They're going to debut them on a fleet of bikes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  The airless tires are a world first and took years to develop.  Among the hurdles that Bridgestone had to overcome for the tires:  distributing the vehicle weight on the tires evenly, consistently transmitting loads and finding a means to prevent debris from trapping inside the tires. Recycled Materials The tires are made of recycled, high strength thermoplastic resin spokes. The non-pneumatic, airless tires won't puncture, won't go flat and don't need refills.  You also don't need spare tires.  Bridgestone also says it reduces CO2 emissions from vehicles. Keep on Trucking The company is developing airless tires for the passenger vehicle market and they say that's sparking a great deal of interest.  Initially, they plan on ...

New Study:  Less Tiring, Just as Good Exercise Source:  Stock Image of e-Mountain Biking Brigham Young University Research New research from Brigham Young University indicates pedaling on an electric mountain bike with pedal-assist is a great workout and the effort seems easier from the rider's physical and psychological perspectives.  The study suggests that electric mountain bikes may help cyclists maintain or increase fitness during their workout. It could also bring new cyclists into the sport. Variety of Electric Bike Rides Electric bikes are becoming increasingly common particularly in the US, Europe and Asia.  They're equipped with a small electric motor and battery. The pedal-assist electric bikes provide a boost of extra power which is the equivalent to a tailwind. Riders say the pedal assist makes hills flatter and distances shorter.  Throttle assist electric bikes power the bike even when you're not pedaling. Pedal-Assist Re...