The Life-Sized City Blog

Here's a poster promoting cycling in New York for www.bikemonthnyc.com . My friend Kelly sent it to me and I think I'll let him do all the talking: Thought you might like this poster - if only for the socio-political landmine it tiptoes through. We have: - bikes prominently featured (Ride a bike message: check) - the older gent, middle-age woman, younger woman (Target age groups: check) - race/gender diversity (Diversity advocates: check) - gent with his helmet (Helmet advocates: check) - ladies not wearing helmets (anti-helmet advocates: check) - all walking their bikes on sidewalks (ride safely advocates: check; bonus points for appeasing both helmet and anti-helmet camp at the same time) - speed of bike transport highlighted (urban transportation advocates: check) - outer borough (Brooklyn) featured (hipsters: check) The only thing missing is someone actually riding a bike. But I suppose that's to be inferred. It's for Bike Month NYC, but if you're planning on...

I've always loved this shot I took in Paris a few years back. Depending on where you're from, you'll form a conclusion as to what's happening when you look at it. An aggressive motorist/cyclist confrontation, many will assume. I was riding behind this lady on the shared bus lane/bike path when the passenger in the car said something. I was too far away to hear what. The lady hopped over the hump and stopped. I was now approaching and took the photo. I slowed as I passed, in order to hear what was being said. The lady was gesticulating and saying "I don't know! I don't have a car and I'm from the 5th!" Laughter from both parties followed. The "5th" means the 5th arrondissement (district), which is south of the river from where this shot was taken. She was just being asked for directions. It was all very friendly. That's Lulu-Sophia in the cargo bay and while we were waiting for the red light here in Copenhagen last summer the pass...

Photos found on Flickr. Click on them to go to the source. The other day I recalled those classic New York signs brought to the streets during the reign of Mayor Ed Koch. Simple texts that defined the New York attitude and that became instant classics. "No Parking, No Standing, No Stopping - No KIDDING!" And, let's not forget, "Don't even THINK of parking here!" There must be millions of tourist photos featuring these signs in drawers all over the world. All well and good. I just figured that it was time to update the signs for the new millenium. I humbly offer you: And true to the entrepenurial spirit of New York City, I'm selling the fukkers. Over at the online shop . On tote bags, messenger bags and coffee cups . On t-shirts for men and t-shirts for ladies . Whaddya gonna do? Sue me.

Katherine sent us the link to this lovely photo from the Metropolitan Museum of Art . It was taken in - we believe - New York by the Hungarian-born photographer László Moholy-Nagy (1895-1946). The title is 7 A.M. (New Year's Morning) and it was taken around 1930. Ironically, the credit for the photograph reads, " Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987 " Lovely shot. Reminds us of this Copenhagen version, taken in 2007:

So I heard that some bike lanes were removed in New York. Over a year ago I blogged about the Hasidic communities objections to bicycle lanes over at Copenhagen Cycle Chic . As the New York Post reported back then and as only the Post can formulate it: "It's the Hasids vs. the hotties in a Brooklyn bike war. Leaders of South Williamsburg's Hasidic community said yesterday that bike lanes that bring scantily clad cyclists - especially sexy women - peddling through their neighborhood are definitely not kosher. The red-faced religious sect is calling on city officials to eliminate the car-free lanes on Wythe and Bedford avenues, and to delay construction of a new one planned for Kent Avenue." The lanes were removed because of alleged appeasement from Mayor Bloomberg up to the recent elections. Now the NY Post is reporting: Hipsters repaint bike lanes in brush off to Hasids Groups of bicycle-riding vigilantes have been repainting 14 blocks of Williamsburg roadways ever si...

With all the travelling I've been doing lately comes the fact that I have borrowed a number of different bikes. I often consider taking my Mobiky folding bike with me, but since I invariably meet up with readers or like-minded people, there always seem to be bikes nearby. On my recent visit to New York, Johnathan was amazingly kind enough to let me borrow his Bullitt TNT cargo bike from Larry vs Harry . Johnathan flew to Copenhagen earlier this year just to buy one and ship it home. He provided me with not only the bike but two locks, a pump, a map of the city and a tool kit. Totally brilliant. He cycles in cycling shoes so the only hitch was that I had to adjust to pedalling on clipless pedals in my regular shoes, but that was no big deal. It was amazing how many conversations I struck up with people when I rode around on the bike. I'm on the Manhattan Bridge, stopped to take some photos, and a couple of workers on the railway shouted at me to come over. They wanted to know a...

Without a doubt there were pleasant surprises awaiting me in New York City. I spent a day riding around the city, trying to see as much as I could on my limited schedule. It was a pleasure cycling around the city. I felt safe the entire time and, compared to other cities I've cycled in like Moscow, New York is not the hell on earth people try to make it out to be. Then again, I don't ride like a moron, trying to break landspeed records. I just ride like most people do in most cities. There are pockets of good bicycle planning, like the painted infrastructure pictured above and below, complete with a bike box. Approaching Times Square from the north, down Broadway, there is a fine bike lane/cycle track separated from the traffic, as well as a slice of street painted with funky circles, quite like sections in Copenhagen . Graphic design meets urban landscape: So, the experience in New York was, by and large, positive. There are still various issues that need to be addressed. Of c...

I'll be in New York City for a couple of days from tomorrow. Speaking at two venues Monday and Tuesday. You can see where and when over at Copenhagen Cycle Chic right here . Come on down if you can.

This is so bloody irritating. On a visit to Larry vs Harry we were discussing what the world needs. We have a Cocktail Bullitt , a Newborn Baby Bullitt , a Bathtub Bullitt , a Karaoke Bullitt , a Sustainable Bullitt , a Rowboat Bullitt and a Dog Bullitt . We decided that a Stripper Pole Bullitt would save the world. Embedded video from CNN Video Then Kelly, in NYC, sent this link. It ain't a Bullitt, but damn, it's a stripper pole on a bike . It comes near the end of the CNN piece. Nice.

In a perfect world, an individual who chooses to promote everyday cycling, and who has dedicated a great deal of time, energy and personal resources to do so, would be set high atop a pedestral to be respected by the local and global community. Instead, Matthew Modine, actor and founder of Bicycle for a Day , is subject to a cyber witchhunt these days. Instead of focusing on the good this guy is doing, all the focus is on his personal choice of whether he wishes to wear a helmet or not. Which he doesn't. Ironically, the man is more well-informed about helmets than the pundits who seek to hunt him down. It started in an interview by Tim Murphy in New York Magazine , which was picked up by Ecorazzi and then Treehugger. The witchhunt was off to a cracking start in NY Mag with the title: 154 Minutes With Matthew Modine - The actor and activist wants to make the world a greener place. But why won’t he wear the helmet his wife bought him? Already right there we're not talking about ...

We posted a while back about the bike rack design competition in New York City. As it happens, the winners were announced and the design duo from Copenhagen won the contest. Ian Mahaffy and Maarten De Greeve’s design reflects a modern simplicity that will greatly enhance the City’s streetscape. The rack is round with a horizontal crossbar, evoking an abstracted bicycle tire. Constructed of cast-metal, the design is elegant yet sturdy enough to withstand the harshest street environments. Congratulations. According to plan these racks will be the official bike racks of NYC and will be set up around the city. There were also indoor bike parking designs in competition. Have a look here to see the winners. Thanks to our reader Sean for the heads up.