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Here are the bike links from around the world that caught our eyes this week:
Signal projectors: The Cyclee lets you signal without raising your hands by projecting symbols onto your back.
Disaster response: In the aftermath of Nepal’s earthquake, its national mountain bike team discovered that it could “ride to remote mountain communities that vehicles could not reach and use their knowledge of mountain trails to deliver aid and gather information.” So that’s what they’re doing.
GoPro vigilantes: “Reporting people to the police for minor traffic infringements and uploading videos of their faces and number plates for all to gawp at is no way to highlight the dangers or get people on your side,” claims Vice in a post about “rude GoPro vigilante cyclists.” “The only thing it highlights is the petulance of the high horse on which these cyclists ride.”
From my cold dead hands: Despite some of the country’s thickest traffic, 45 percent of Seattle-area residents can’t imagine any scenario (including getting to work faster) that would make them do anything except drive alone.
Infrastructure challenge: A century ago, driving across the country required an ax and shovel; interstate highways fixed that. Bike infrastructure is in a similar state today, a Washington Post innovations writer says, and protected bike lanes are the country’s next great infrastructure challenge.
Bike component history: This infographic makes for a useful reference guide.
Sharrows: In Toronto, they’re apparently the most dangerous kind of bike infrastructure.
Collision fault: According to the same study, people hit by cars while walking had the right of way 67 percent of the time.
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Bike sharing: Property values in a relatively dense part of a bike share station network rise a few percentage points.
Saddle protection: It’s one of the hardest anti-theft measures, but CityLab has advice.
Rock protection: What do you think of this Danish tactic?
Ped and bike space separated by rocks – low cost, temporary, effective – in CPH pic.twitter.com/OhPJj5BvXJ
— Green Lane Project (@GreenLaneProj) June 25, 2015
Bikes vs. lakes: A Seattle “superyacht” marina is using environmental protection law to sue the city, claiming that a protected bike lane that would remove some of its nearby auto parking might damage Lake Union.
Seeing around corners: Some new Ford models are embedding digital cameras in the front grille to help prevent collisions.
Reclaiming space: “A city where you’re surrounded by hubbub, abandoned to cars — that isn’t a city,” said Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, announcing a $30 million campaign to convert seven public squares from auto to foot traffic.
Federal transpo bill: The League of American Bicyclists has an analysis of Congress’s proposed transportation bill, the unfortunately (but aptly) named DRIVE Act.
Vision Zero: “Traffic fatalities are not inevitable,” according to a new resolution by the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsing Vision Zero.
Professional immunity: The New York state senate passed a bill that would exempt many professional drivers from various traffic laws, such as being detained by police after hitting someone with their bus or taxi.
Intersection repair: Intersections such as SE 86th and Glenwood keep looking more beautiful, especially from the sky.
Free time travel: Riding a bike for an hour extends your life by approximately one hour.
If you come across a noteworthy bicycle story, send it in via email, Tweet @bikeportland, or whatever else and we’ll consider adding it to next Monday’s roundup.