A fun social group road ride out of our Washington Twp. location. All abilities are welcome! Come on your cross bike, road bike, or mountain bike!

For up to the minute updates and photos of the construction and building as it come follow us on Facebook! http://facebook.com/mainstreetbicycles

The Move:

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via BikeRadar

Brooke, who is in the final year of her Product Design course, told BikeRadar she believed the design was a really simple idea which could make a huge difference to the safety of cyclists on our roads.

“I wanted to tackle the issue of safety of cyclists on city streets by increasing the visibility, footprint, and ultimately the awareness of the bicycle,” she said. “Eighty per cent of cycle accidents occur when bicycles travel straight ahead and a vehicle manoeuvres into them. The most common contributory factor is ‘failed to look properly’ on the part of a vehicle driver. The evidence shows the bike simply is not seen on city streets.

“Even when lit up like a Christmas tree a bicycle in a bus’s blind-spot is still invisible. With BLAZE, you see the bike before the cyclist and I believe this could really make a difference in the key scenarios threatening cyclists’ lives on the roads.”

BLAZE will be on show along with other final-year student inventions at an exhibition in the Creativity Suite at the university’s Moulsecoomb campus today (6 June). For more information, For more information, click here.

You can follow BikeRadar on Twitter at twitter.com/bikeradar and on Facebook at facebook.com/BikeRadar.

At most bike stores, you’ll probably be seeing these kinds of bicycles:

• Mountain bikes. These are rugged bikes for off-road use, but many people ride them on pavement as well. Mountain bikes feature fat knobby tires for comfort and traction, flat bars for great control, and low gears for easier hill climbing. Some mountain bikes have suspension for increased shock absorption. Do you need suspension? It depends on how and where you plan to ride.
• Road bikes. These are meant for pavement riding, and are built for speed. They have narrower tires and drop bars for a more aerodynamic position.
• Hybrid bikes. These are a cross between mountain bikes and road bikes — for the rider who wants to do a little of everything. Hybrids generally have treaded tires which are narrower than mountain bike tires, flat bars, and higher gearing than mountain bikes. They’re not quite as fast as road bikes on pavement, and not quite as rugged as mountain bikes on the road. They’re good for commuting, and offer a compromise which appeals to a lot of people.
• Cruisers. One-speed or multi-speed, cruisers are for the casual rider who wants to, well, cruise.
• Juvenile bikes. These come in many varieties, from one-speed cruisers, to performance BMX bikes, to multi-speed mountain and road bikes.
• Comfort bikes. These are specialized mountain bikes or hybrids with more upright riding positions, softer saddles and lower gearing. They’re built for, as the name implies, comfort, but are also designed to perform well.
• Recumbents/tandems/electric assist bikes. There are numerous “niche” bicycles available today. Recumbents allow people to ride in a “recliner-chair” position with feet forward. Tandems allow two riders on a bike. Also, a number of companies are offering bicycles with electric-assist motors.

The size of the bicycle is critical for comfortable riding.

Work with your retailer to determine the proper size for you. Some bicycle models have eight or more sizes. The length of your inseam determines the correct frame size, in terms of stand-over height. The reach to the bars is also critical for comfort. Ask your bicycle dealer to recommend a proper fit for you based on the kind of riding you’ll be doing. What’s comfortable for one style of rider may not be for another. Like a shirt, fit is very important for comfort and security.

Buy what you like.

Feel good about what you’re buying, how it looks, how it rides. Ask to take a test ride to compare bikes. If you haven’t ridden a dealer-quality bicycle before, be prepared to be surprised at the exceptional value and quality available today. We also advise that if you’re in doubt, buy the slightly better bike. There’s a lot of value in bicycles these days, and a little more money spent can equal significantly improved performance and resale value.

Ask the bike store for advice on things you may not understand.

Such as quick-release operation, shifting, braking, maintenance, etc. If you want to find other local cyclists in your area to ride with, ask the shop for reference to clubs or organized rides. Be sure to receive an owner’s manual with the bicycle, and read it. Owner’s manuals contain valuable information to help make your experience safer and more fun.

Ask for advice on other equipment you may need or want.

Buy a helmet first, and wear it. There are many other products which can enhance the riding experience (see related article). There are numerous books and magazines available to help you educate yourself about the nuances of cycling.

Have fun, and ask your bike retailer if you have problems or questions.

If you’re not receiving the kind of service you want, look for another retailer. There are 5,300 specialty bike stores in the United States, and the vast majority serve their customers with dedication and flair. When you find one, that store can be your greatest ally for enjoying the cycling experience.