bikes

Poll

Tail Wags Helmet Covers: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Just because bike helmets are mandatory, doesn't mean they need to look institutional.

Just because bike helmets are mandatory, doesn't mean they need to look institutional. Any mama that has spent an hour arguing with her lil one over the need to wear the safety gear will appreciate Tail Wags ($40). The company's wide range of helmet covers help increase tot's visibility both on and off the road. From fairy princesses to scary monsters, the Lycra, fleece or nylon covers slip right over standard-sized head gear with a back slit leaving access to the helmets' goggle clips. The funky designs also come in adult sizes, ensuring that mom and dad remain safe and stand out while peddling as well.

Would your offspring use these safety devices?

Spring

And the Best Place to Ride Your Bike Is . . .

Ever since the sun made an appearance, I feel like I'm centering my life around my bike.

Ever since the sun made an appearance, I feel like I'm centering my life around my bike. I spent the entire weekend biking, even refusing to go anywhere that wasn't bike-friendly or accessible by pedal power. Luckily I live in San Francisco, which Bicycling magazine ranks as the sixth bike-friendliest city in America. I have to agree that the abundance of bike lanes and the bike racks on public transportation make it a pretty sweet city to live in. Sitting on top of the list is Minneapolis, cited for its "120 miles of on- and off-street bicycle facilities, plus indoor bike parking."

To come up with its ranking, the editors of Bicycling looked at things like segregated bike lanes, municipal bike racks, bike boulevards, great bike shops, and having a supportive community. They also only considered cities that had populations of 100,000 or more, and strove for geographical diversity.

Here's the top 10; check out Bicycling to see if your city made it somewhere onto the top 50.

  1. Minneapolis, MN
  2. Portland, OR
  3. Boulder, CO
  4. Seattle, WA
  5. Eugene, OR
  6. San Francisco, CA
  7. Madison, WI
  8. New York, NY
  9. Tucson, AZ
  10. Chicago, IL
bikes

OnSugar Blog: Ronan Riding a Bike

Oh, the amazing milestones!

Oh, the amazing milestones! This one of Ronan Riding a Bike comes from the Adventures in Toddler Insanity blog at OnSugar.

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Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Adventures in Toddler Insanity or start your own OnSugar blog. We may just feature your adorable tot on LilSugar!

Fitness

Urban Cycling Tip: Invest in a Bike Bell

When passing someone in a bike or multi-use path it's important to yell out "on your left" and slow down.

When passing someone in a bike or multi-use path it's important to yell out "on your left" and slow down. I always make a point to do this but sometimes my voice doesn't carry very well. A simple solution to my problem was investing in this cool bike bell.

When I was little I had a bike bell but I thought it was just a cool accessory — now it's a major piece of safety equipment. The bell's classic ringing sound is loud enough to warn oncomers but isn't obnoxious. It was also incredibly easy to mount on my bike.  (If you're not into a bell look for a bike horn instead.)

Since using a bell I've noticed that most people respond kinder to me than when I yell out, perhaps because it comes off as being less aggressive. To play it safe though I use a combination of both if it seems the bell isn't enough.

 

 

 

Guess

G by Guess's Super-Rad Custom Beach Cruiser

G by Guess just unveiled its eco-orange beach cruiser, and it has me contemplating getting a new bike.

G by Guess just unveiled its eco-orange beach cruiser, and it has me contemplating getting a new bike. OK, I probably won't, but if I could, I would totally pounce on this one. I adore the retro design, white-painted rims, and leather grips. Even better, you can choose one of six sticker options for a customized touch. "Offering our custom beach cruiser minimizes our impact and provides a fashionable and environmentally friendly form of transportation,” said Paul Marciano, CEO of Guess? Inc.

Did I mention Guess is giving away this cool bike? All you you have to do is stop by any G by Guess location from Sept. 9-12, and sign up to win! Bikes are also available for purchase for $329.50 for a limited time at GbyGuess.com.

Travel

Do You Rent Bikes on Vacation?

It's the peak of tourist season in San Francisco, and the streets are full of adventurous travelers riding around on rented bikes.

It's the peak of tourist season in San Francisco, and the streets are full of adventurous travelers riding around on rented bikes. I admire people who want to stay active on vacation, and bicycling is a great way to explore a new city. Do you ever rent bikes while traveling?

Fab Finding

Fab Finding Follow-Up: Fab Bike Gang

Bike-to-Work Week took place recently — did you participate?
American Eagle at ShopStyle

Bike-to-Work Week took place recently — did you participate? Even if not, I asked you all to put together comfy cute outfits for fun. I started you off with this Aerie Zip-Front Active Bra ($30) because it will help, ahem, secure things. Let's see what you all created!


Look #1, created by hil34, is so cute, I want to wear it even when not biking.

To see the rest, read more

Celebrity Babies

Match the Celebrity Kids to Their Wheeled Rides!

Warm weather and breaks from school mean it's time to dust off the bike, scooter or any wheeled toy and take it for a spin.

Warm weather and breaks from school mean it's time to dust off the bike, scooter or any wheeled toy and take it for a spin. Celebabies are no different than our own babes when it comes to getting speed under their feet. Take our quiz and see if you can identify which tinseltown tots took to the streets.

bikes

Blast Back From the Past: Big Wheels

As a child of the 80s, I fondly remember Big Wheels.

As a child of the 80s, I fondly remember Big Wheels. Seated just inches off the ground, lil rascals tore down the sidewalks pretending they were Ponch and John from CHiPs.

Introduced at the 1969 Toy Fair, The Big Wheel was a staple in many American homes by the late 70s. Made of plastic, they were cheaper than traditional tricycles and considered to be safer, due to their thick wheels and inability to tip over. By the mid-80s, the company that produced them had gone out of business and the original Big Wheel was no longer making the rounds. Today, the Original Big Wheel ($35) has been reintroduced by a new manufacturer and is winning over a new generation of riders. Though the current version does not have the hand brake that allowed the trike to spin in an awesome circle like the previous one did, it looks similar and is sure to bring back a flood of memories for the parents buying it for their tykes.