MAKE Magazine: Bicycles

NYC bike rack designs by David Byrne

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0800

The NYC Department of Transportation has installed a number of new bike racks designed by artist David Byrne

David Byrne and the New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with New York art gallery PaceWildenstein, have unveiled nine unique bicycle racks designed by DB and installed in various locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. An avid bicyclist for almost 30 years, Byrne was invited to join the panel of jurors selected by the DOT to judge a design competition for outdoor and indoor bicycle racks. Inspired by the city's initiative, he submitted some original design ideas of his own named after specific locations and neighborhoods, which the DOT enthusiastically agreed to install for a period of 364 days.

Each rack's shape relates to the history of its locale - see the gallery for more pics - Bike Racks [via Urban Prankster]

New York's Pedicab Wars

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:49:31 -0800

Image courtesy Trixi

As I wrestle to get my home-built pedicab legal for passengers in my fair metropolis of Austin, Texas (more on that in a later post), this article reminds me that I could have it significantly worse.

My favorite part:

Council Speaker Christine Quinn makes a face. "No way. I would never get into one of those things," she says. Any problems with the law can be fixed when it comes up for renewal in two years, she suggests. As for the pedicabs' environmental benefits, she is skeptical. "Human-powered vehicles are never going to be the answer."

For now at least, Austin seems to have it a bit better. Here's hoping it lasts long enough for me to get my DIY creation street legal!

"My Speed" bike vest

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:00:15 -0800

Here's a light-up bike vest that lets people behind you know how fast you're going. It uses electro-luminescent wire in the shape of the numbers to give a nixie-tube-esque appearance. Via Ladyada.

More:

LED turn signal bike jacket tutorial

Tall Bike Extravaganza

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:23:55 -0800

When there's one quality how-to on something you're interested in, you may or may not build it. But, when you hit around half a dozen well-documented builds, it gets a lot harder to put the project off.

(Image from Rat Patrol)

Such is the case with me and tall bikes:

Building a better tall bike. But who wants brakes?:)

Tim Anderson's no-weld version

The really-tall Skywalker TallBike Project

Catty Scrap Tall Bike: looks like one bike suspended in the air over another

Tall Bike Construction in the Andes (!)

Tall Bike Building: short and sweet

The world record is currently 18 feet; anybody ready to challenge it?

Yellow Bike Project's Bike-Powered Move

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:59:06 -0800

If you need an excuse to switch to biking as your primary means of transportation, check out this video from Austin's Yellow Bike Project, as they move 4500 square feet of bike parts from one shop to another. Particularly amazing starting at 3:30:

Doesn't your commute seem a bit mild in comparison?

DIY: Bicycle "Porteur" Rack

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0800

What a great use for those metal shelf support rods! The web site has a lot of tips and tricks that can be applied to any project. It's a simple build that is very functional.

Learn how to make you own Bicycle "Porteur" Rack

How To: Build a motorized bicycle

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0800

Dave made this informative video on how to attach a "Weed Eater" [string trimmer] motor to a bicycle. Used bicycles and string trimmers are easy to find and very cheap to buy. You could make this project for less than $100, maybe even less than $50. The information on modifying the clutch could be very useful in making robots too!

How To: Build a Weed Eater motorized bicycle

Beijing bicycles

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:17 -0800

Eric writes-

In Beijing, I snapped a lot of photos of bikes. It was fun to shoot people on bikes for some reason in China, maybe it's because the bikes were so odd compared to what I see in the US. It's not about fixed gear, or being cool, most of these bikes look like they're 50 years old. They're for the most part tools of some sort. I didn't see many bikes being ridden for recreation, it looked like most everyone was trying to get somewhere with a big load of gear.

DIY: Leather mudguards for your bicycle

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0800

This is a great project for anyone who rides his or her bicycle to work. The version on the website is customized with a monogram, but it could be as simple as a small piece of black leather or rubber.

Learn how to make your own Leather mudguards for your bicycle

Make a bicycle ramp

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -0800

Although this is a bit dangerous, it looks like a lot of fun. This instructable is very well documented and the final ramp looks nice and sturdy. It's a lot safer than my milk-crate version when I was a kid!

Learn how to make a Bicycle Ramp

HOW TO - bike pannier from messenger bag

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:00:29 -0800

Instructables user trebuchet03 (San Francisco, CA) made a detailed tutorial on converting a messenger bag into a bike pannier complete with a hard backplate, rack hooks, and bungee cord.

Found Video: Crazy bicycle innovations of the past

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Did I say crazy? I meant awesome bicycle innovations of the past. This is a great video that features a lot of different types of bicycles. My favorite is the strap-the-wheels-to-your-leg version that can be seen at 1:54. Although, the 4-person sewing machine bicycle at 4:30 is a close second!

Read more about these Crazy bicycle innovations of the past

Odd bike...

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0800

A MAKE reader sent this in, anyone know what's going on?

DIY: Recycled Recumbent

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0800

The Recycled Recumbent has been updated for 2008. It looks like a few other people have had success following the free plans. I really like how the plans have little notes to help you build a really nice Recycled Recumbent Bicycle.

More:

Read more about Brass Lion recumbent tricycle

DIY: Seat made from bike parts and crutches

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:00 -0800

What do you do with your crutches after that nasty crash on bicycle? Well, if the wheels are still in good shape you could always make your own stool to commemorate the occasion. Then again, you can find old crutches and some wheels in the recycling and/or garbage and forgo the whole bicycle accident part.

Learn how to make a Seat made from bike parts and crutches

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Rag and Bone bike

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:58:55 -0800

If bikes had a "rat king," it might look something like this. I like the ornamental wheel on the front fork that has a fender going all around it. Not the most practical bike on the rack, but certainly the most unique.

Rag and Bone bike on Rat Rod Bikes [via Brass Goggles]

DIY: Simple Tandem Bike

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -0800

This is a great instructable for making your own tandem bicycle. It is amazing how simple it is to make with just a bit of hacking and drilling. This is a lot cheaper than buying one since you can always pick up a couple of old bikes on Craigslist really cheap.

Make your own Simple Tandem Bike

DIY: Bicycle repair videos

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0800

BicycleTudor has a great collection of repair and maintenance videos. I counted over 30 videos and they seem to be adding more every week. If you are into bicycling, you really need to check it out.

PVC bike cart

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:22:00 -0800

Instructables slide show of a bicycle trailer made out of PVC pipe and wire rack material.

PVC Bike trailer

Hyperbike: Like swimming on land

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -0800

The Hyperbike, by Curtis DeForest, tries to create a human-powered vehicle that will be faster than traditional bicycles. I can see how the rider can input more energy, but that thing has to weigh a lot more than a 10 speed!

In creating the HyperBike, DeForest tried to remedy the flaws of the standard bicycle. For one thing, it has no seat; the rider stands upright. Also, the arms are used for additional power. DeForest describes pedaling the HyperBike as "swimming on dry land." Motor vehicle speeds of at least fifty miles per hour are easily attained.

Cardboard bike

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0800

A product design student at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK wanted to address the problem of prevalent bike theft so he created this bike for around US$30. It doesn't say whether this was just for the frame or for everything. And no, it doesn't melt in a rainstorm. He used hexacomb board, which is waterproof. No much to look at, but if it gets your groceries home...

Cardboard bike aims to put brakes on theives [via Inhabitat]

Home-made hammers

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0800

On Street Use, Kevin Kelly has a few pics of hand-made bike-building tools, spotted in bike shops in Rwanda.

Rwandan Hammers

Metrocard bicycle will not fit in the turnstyles

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0800

We've posted lots in the past about NYC Metrocard art projects, but this one might just take the cake. This bicycle is completely covered with hundreds of the cards, perhaps to make a statement about human powered vehicles vs. taking mass transit and the environmental impact you will have (not to mention the cash you will save) when you take your bike to work. In any case, it's a cool thing to do with your expired cards.

MetroCard Bike

Live music - on a bike!

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 05:00:00 -0800

Paul Freedman of Rock the Bike fitted a utility bicycle with instrument rack + seat - thus creating a mobile music performance vehicle. This demo vid shows the maiden voyage his friend Janaysa on vocals/keyboard - would've been nice to hear them ride through my neighborhood.

Just imagine all the other instruments this could carry, let alone recording equipment. Methinks it's only a matter of time before the first bike-recorded single drops. [via Matrixsynth]

Switchbike: Standard or Recumbent?

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:00:00 -0800

If you can't decide between a standard or recumbent bicycle, then the Switchbike is for you. It looks fairly simple to transform. The recumbent version would be really nice for those longer road trips. I wonder how heavy it is?

LED turn signal bike jacket tutorial

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:00:14 -0800

Remember this LED turn signal bike jacket we posted a while back? Well Leah Buechley made a tutorial for making your own. It has a button on each sleeve for activating the turn signals. The instructable includes a handy sewing/wiring diagram and lots of key insights into sewing a circuit for an LED turn signal bike jacket. Includes a preview of the soon-to-be-available LilyPad LEDs (from Sparkfun). Leah has the tutorial mirrored on her site.

Related:

LilyPad Arduino

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Skateboard windsurfer

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Here's a how-to on building a lugsail land surfer that has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with steampunk.

Steampunk Lugsail Land Windsurfer

Bike blimp remake?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:39:40 -0800

This pedal-powered inflatable recently used to cross the English Channel has definitely piqued somebody's interest, and understandably so. Trumann writes -

If there is a way to remake this human-powered aircraft, it must happen. This article is about taking a trip via bicycle-blimp, but the concept is too awesome not to fantasize about building one myself. I have no idea where to start, being a Maker-n00b, but if anybody else has ideas, they should be shared!

- Pedal-Powered Blimp Attempts to Cross English Channel

Hmmm, well I'll start with an obvious one - learn as much as you can about the bike blimp and other similar projects(see below). Take notes, make sketches, and experiment. Anyone else have some ideas/experiences that could help him out?

Propeller driven bicycle (recumbent trike) - Human powered

Propeller driven bicycle

Coming soon... the personal blimp

Bicycle projects @ MAKE

Bicycle archives @ MAKE

Pedal Powered Tennis Ball Laucher

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:16 -0800

Trying to encourage your child's tennis skills, but can't serve to save your life? Daniel Bauen uses a pedal-powered ball launcher. From his site:

Both cleanly powered and built from 2 recycled bicycles, scrap steel and wood, leaking 5 gallon water jug and a lacross stick, our pedal powered tennis ball launcher is a unique innovate or die entry. It allows players varying in skill levels to practice to be better at both tennis and cycling. The launcher is towed to the court on its built-in bicycle trailer. A bike is secured to it and functions to drive the device. Pedaling the cycle as one would on a trainer drives the two launcher wheels. The cyclist then aims and pulls the lever to launch balls to the hitter.

Via HacknMod.

Homebuilt back-to-back tandem recumbent

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:00:00 -0800

Would you ride this bike backwards? I would! The builder admits it takes some faith to be the rider facing backwards, but he also said everyone likes it once they try it. I think it looks like a lot of fun!

Read more about the Homebuilt back-to-back tandem recumbent

Related:

FreeCycle-made "No Weld" recumbent