Bike to School Week Kicks off in UK!

Most of you know that we've donated Kryptonite branded bike racks to cities and towns in the US over the last year - and we will be again this year. It's been quite a successful program with lots of interest in the racks.

At the end of last year, our friend Carlton Reid put in a request that we just couldn't refuse. We donated 20 bike racks to St. Catherine’s RC Primary School in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The head master is very pro-cycling for the kids. And then, of course, there are pro-cycling parents. It's a great recipe for more kids getting on bikes throughout their tenure at the school. It doesn't get better than that.

Check them out - they were in place last week (yes, it took a little longer that I'd hoped to get them overseas.....but it's all good)

This area will eventually have a covering over it so the kids are sheltered when properly locking and unlocking their bikes, of course.

Look - there are some kids already using the racks! But, the big kick off to the "Kryptonite Korner" was today. The start of Bike to School Week in the UK.

Not only did the kids all ride to school and fill up the racks, but Kevin Brennan, Minister for Children & Schools visited St. Cats and cut the tape on the new bike safety area! How cool is that?! We have Carlton to thank for that, too. Nicely done!

These are some great photos courtesy of Carlton, with more here. Check them out. It looks like everyone had a great time.

Bravo to all! Encouraging kids to be on their bikes is healthy and fun. Bravo, bravo!!!

UPDATE (5/7): Some great coverage on this event can be found at:

The Journal

The Journal cover shot (photo Carlton Reid)

BikeBiz

Quickrelease.tv

Bike For All

Kudos for Today!

As I am looking through the news of the day two items came to my attention that I want to make sure you all see - they are both good things.

First off, for helping the environment...kudos to Thule. Bicycle Retailer is reporting today that Thule is going to power part of its headquarters with solar energy starting this summer! How cool is that? They are also encourging employees to ride bikes to work. After seeing Fritz's photo of gas prices in California, I wonder if New England isn't too far behind (Thule is in CT). Smart all the way around at Thule. Bravo!

My second kudos? To the Tour of Utah. Why? Because they've picked the teams to compete in August and guess who made the list? Yup, Rock Racing! Why? Well, because event director Terry McGinnis is a smart man. Check out his quote in The Salt Lake Tribune:

"They're a team that creates a lot of buzz wherever they go, and as a race director I think buzz is good," he said. "We definitely appreciate their media savvy and new image they have."

Terry, if we lived closer I'd go shake your hand. If not for this being the same weekend as the Falmouth Road Race, I'd come out to the race, too. But, I'll be there in spirit. BRAVO!

Fearless Bike Riding 101

This morning I got an email with the title, "Danger, proud Dad moment." I knew it would be a photo of a writer friend's kids, but didn't have any idea what I would find. I had the biggest grin on my face when I saw this photo --

This is Freya and she is not even three years old! She's got the training wheels off and away she goes, with the just-in-case adult support right behind her (notice the pink shoe).

She doesn't seem to be slowing down at all, which isn't surprising since her dad is an accomplished rider himself. I think this may just be the start of a serious unbreakable bond between Freya, her bike and her cycling dad.

Bravo, Freya, Bravo!

Bicycling Has Minneapolis Bike Commuter Story

Bicycling Magazine has a section of their website where they highlight people's bike adventures and stories. This week they have a doozie - one very worth reading. Bicycle commuter Dan Schueller was at the base of the I-35W bridge that collapsed last month in Minneapolis. His story and photos are riveting. He was a perfect person to be there since he didn't think of his own well-being, he just jumped in to help.

Amazing. Bravo, Dan, Bravo.

Future NYC Bike Rider

A future bicycle rider if ever there was one

Kevin "Squid" Bolger has been a bike messenger in New York City for 15 years. Pretty much everyone involved with the messenger community knows him. He's also been interviewed countless times on television whenever a strong rider and fun person is needed for a comment on cycling or messengering in NYC. He's married to one fantastic lady and talented photographer, Amy Bolger, and together they are extremely active in the messenger community worldwide.


This weekend they expanded their family and welcomed their son Keiran Wolf Bolger. Hope they don't mind, but I snatched the above photo from Kevin's website.


Bravo, Amy! Congrats and good wishes to the Bolger family from all of your friends at Kryptonite.