Image description: In 1817, Karl Drais, a young inventor in Baden, Germany, designed and built a two-wheeled, wooden vehicle that was straddled and propelled by walking swiftly. Drais called it the laufmaschine or “running machine.”
By 1818, the draisine craze reached the United States, but the high cost of the vehicle, combined with its lack of practical value, made it little more than an expensive toy. The two-wheeled vehicle would not become sustained until pedals were added in the late 1800s.
Photo from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Seen on the Brooklyn Bridge this morning: It seems a snacking falcon or hawk dropped this wing (possibly from a Northern Flicker?) which then became wedged in the wooden walkway.
Peregrine Falcons nested on the bridge at one time and I often see falcons perched on the bridge during my ride to work. —AP
via Transportation Nation
For the Tech Sector, Bikes are the New Cars
Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley with the bike rack at his HQ
Attention, bike geeks! Offering as much protection as a standard helmet, “Overade” folds up when not in use, allowing it to be easily carried in a purse or backpack.(via Designboom)
Fashion-y. —A.P.
Stop paying rent! Kevin Cyr creates traveling “alternative apartments” out of bikes, campers, and shopping carts. Good for the environment, your wallet, you wanderlust, and will certainly turn some heads along the way…
Santa, take note. —A.P.
I think New York City needs one of these.
A cycling sight-seeing tour with a difference took place on Saturday, taking in London’s 10 most dangerous junctions for cyclists. The ride - originally conceived by Cyclists in the City blog as a fact-finding mission with a few friends - struck a resonant chord with readers and campaigners. Word spread quickly, and ultimately several hundred London cyclists participated in the “Tour du danger”.
As one of the organisers of the tour I was overwhelmed by the response, and the stories of many of the participants. A woman who lived near Elephant and Castle roundabout told me she would never usually dare cycle there.
People brought their children, and we had pensioners cycling with us through some of London’s most complicated and terrifying road schemes. It’s not everyday you see bakfiets full of kids being pedalled around Hyde Park Corner.
And this seemed to be the point of the ride for many participants.
What intersections would be on an NYC ‘Tour du Danger’? —A.P.
