Cycle Chic Cargo Bike Nicked!!!

And so it was that just before Christmas, the time of goodwill towards our fellow humans, some sods decided to get the bolt cutters to Mr Chic's Kona Xtracycle and ride it away from Kings Cross Parking Station in Sydney.

Not only is it one of a kind and loving built by Mr Chic but it has stunningly, sustainably transported all manner of Sydney Cycle Chic stuff and kids to events across the city and we need it back!

Will we be as lucky as Mikael in Copenhagen and his stolen Bullitt???

If you see it please email me and call Kings Cross Police on 02 8356 0099 who have the report.

The Watershed Bike Library Launched!

This really is a wonderful idea and if it is to survive the 12 month trial period, it needs, and deserves our support.

A joint initiative between City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils, and in partnership with Bike Sydney, Australia's first 'bike library' consists of a small fleet of cargo bikes and specialist trailers that can be borrowed for up to three days.  Membership and hire fees are very affordable which makes this a perfect option for anyone needing to transport large items or small children [!] or indeed anything that your imagination can dream up.

Launched on Friday by Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP and Mayor of Marrickville, Sam Iskandar, there were jokes about them being able to fit a fridge.  But jokes aside, the Lord Mayor said "we are offering an affordable, convenient, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to running errands in cars.  This unique library will encourage more people to use bikes to get around their local area".
Citing Alan Jones's anti-cycle ways campaign as hostile, her speech was well received by the group of Sydney's cycling advocates, local community representatives and bike business owners present.

With the Watershed's commitment to sustainable urban living, and Sydney's current push towards getting more cars OFF the roads and more bikes ON them, this has a definite 'right time, right place' feel about it.
Cargo bikes are used widely in Europe but they have yet to become commonplace in Australia, so what are you waiting for ?  Be the first to go and try one out, take your girlfriend/boyfriend/mother, move some stuff, do some shopping or just take the kids out for a spin - trust me they will love it!

Fee Schedule and further details on the Watershed's website here.

Cargo Bike Fiesta!

Ok so fiesta may be a slight exaggeration but within a few days I have seen more cargo bikes than I can poke a stick at!
Sydney has not fully embraced the cargo or freight bike yet but slowly, as with our developing bicycle culture, times are changing.

First there was this beautiful white Bullitt cargo bike up in Bondi, my sources say it's been seen around a lot lately so I'm hoping for a glimpse of the owner soon.

This weekend also sees the end of the two week long Sydney Design Festival and incorporated into that was the Live Futures 2020 Festival, a curated weekend of events and workshops aimed at opening discussions and changing the way we live.

Those forward thinking folks at sustainability resource centre The Watershed in Newtown were there to lend a hand by schlepping equipment around in their two freight bikes.  Their Gazelle Cabby and Xtracycle will form part of the proposed "library" of transport bikes due to open for public use in the next few months.
The Watershed is a joint initiative of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Councils and is yet another great way that Sydney is supporting sustainable environments within the urban community.

I caught up with Mithra and Andrew from The Watershed as they took the Gazelle for a spin - oh and my Felix is also a BIG fan....