In the US, Google Maps now offers step-by-step biking directions; bike trails outlined directly on the map; and a new Bicycling layer that indicates bike trails, bike lanes, and bike-friendly roads.

Love the new addition but I wish they would get this system working on the phone app.  I’d prefer to whip out my phone just like I do for driving directions as opposed to printing it out on a piece of paper.   I’ll be waiting patiently Google. : )

Business partners and surf industry veterans, Joey Santley and Steve Cox introduced two first-of-their-kind revolutionary endeavors, Green Foam Blanks and ReSurf Recycling, at the Action Sports Retailer (ASR) trade show in San Diego, Calif. earlier this year.

With deep roots in the surf industry, both Santley and Cox recognized southern California as an epicenter for surfboard manufacturers with more than 1,000 surfboards being produced per day between Los Angeles and the Mexico border. Additionally, nearly 20% of the foam needed to shape each board is rendered as waste and inevitably ends up in landfills.

This unusable foam, partnered with other somewhat toxic materials required to finish each surfboard, equaled an incalculable amount of waste coming from the surf industry. Green Foam took that waste and created the world’s first recycled surfboard blank.

Totally bitchin’ dude.

Source NY Times

Gotta be safe while riding around town and doing your part to help the environment. Unfortunately, I don’t wear my helmut. It’s ugly. I hiss at the bike shop dude for always trying to sell me one when I come in to get my tires pumped. A few weeks back I bumped in to a friend that hit a big ass pothole while riding and ended up in the hospital. No helmut, messed up collarbone, arm and head. I think it’s time to rethink my ” I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those” excuse.

Yakkay came up with a good idea. It’s a Danish company that created a standard helmut with various covers available, designed to transform your helmet into a hat and become an accessory to your outfit. They look a bit big and awkward on but I guess it’s better than a crack in your head.

The Bridgestone Angelino Assista electric bike is a bicycle for parents: this one has no crossbar, a child seat (there’s also space for one on the back) and an electric motor to help with the pedaling. It’s range per charge is 37 miles. The handlebars are elongated so that the adult can see right over the top of the child.

There’s a long list of it’s features that can be found at the G Living link below. I’m too lazy to write them all out. The only one I care to mention is that the baby seat can be transformed into a basket! Guess I won’t have to join the Hollywood baby manufacturing alliance after all.

Asking price: $1312.00. Not bad IMO compared to the ones I saw at Best Buy recently.

Source G Living

Posted by thuy

How cute are these pouches for carrying your personal items while riding?

Hambone Designs are a result of a brother and sister team that made a rule of giving handmade gifts for holidays to family and friends. Visit their Etsy shop to see the rest of the designs or to request a custom order.

Source Treehugger

Posted by thuy

Went to Best Buy the other day and tripped out when I noticed an entire section of electric scooters and bikes. Made me want to apply for their 0% finance card and get myself one.

Posted by thuy

What: Harmony Festival, Rude Boyz Present, and Megaramp Productions announce first ever Eco-Cup Skate Competition with musical line-up at 31st annumal Harmony Festival.

When: June 12-14

Where: Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA

Some of theworld’s top skate legends including Steve Caballero and Christian Hosoi (holler!) will be present for demos, judging, and Meet and Greets. The Eco Cup trophy will be created out of recycled and repurposed mixed media, and the steel and plywood-constructed Eco Cup skate zone will be reused, making this a truly eco-friendly attraction.

Entrance to the skate zone is included with paid admission to Harmony Festival. $30 pre-sale and general Harmony tickets are available online now ($40 at the gate) and at participating Whole Foods stores and dozens of other retail outlets (see web site for locations). This year, kids age 7-12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are FREE!

Tickets and detailed Festival information is available at www.HarmonyFestival.com.

Watch the trailer for Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi. The rise, fall and rebirth of the “rock star” of skateboarding. From his early days in Venice Beach, his bad boy persona, revolutionary skateboard designs, record-breaking tricks, his abuse, to his current inspiration of today’s youth.

Posted by thuy

Here’s s a peek at Lance Armstrong’s Trek art bikes designed by artists Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf for his upcoming race (Giro D’Italia). The Giro D’Italia is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and it is considered the most prominent race behind the Tour de France.

Source Hypebeast

Posted by thuy

Po-po’s in the happiest place on earth (Denmark) took to the streets to give out hugs and bike helmets to bicyclists to promote safety.

How sweet. You know that would never happen on the streets of LA.

Source Huffington Post

Posted by thuy

You don’t need to learn Japanese to understand how dope the Giken Eco Cycle is. Press play. You’ll get the drift.

Underground bike parking. No lock needed. You roll your wheels into the rail, swipe your pre-paid card and the magical little doors open and suck your bike right in.

Go to Eco Hookups for the deets.

Posted by thuy