Every Day Adventurers

On the third stop of the Xtracycle Holishift Tour, founder Ross Evans shared his inspirations and experiences with Maker Faire attendees.

Permaculture.TV has a great post up with video of his talk and some Worldbike.org videos as well.

Don’t miss out on the tour. Carmel is tonight, followed by some more stops in SoCal before heading west to Arizona and New Mexico!

Read the Complete Article

An electrified Xtracycle is joining a fleet of utility bicycles in Portland at the Metro agency. Noting that “13% of all vehicular trips” are bicycles over four bicycle-friendly bridges, the agency wants to encourage the bicycle’s place as a healthy and clean means of transport.

Metro greens up with special bikes | Full Article.

Video detailing upgrade and transportation shift.

On our RootsRadicals Yahoo! Group, poppamando shared with us this little diddy. Enjoy!

Thinking about getting the Peapod LT, thinking about the BP oil spill in the Gulf, apologies to the Beatles…

Asked my girl what she wanted to be. She said Daddy, can’t you see? I wanna be healthy, have planet that’s clean, But you can do something in between…

Daddy you can ride a bike. Pedal power’s what I like. Daddy you can ride a bike, and we can be car free. Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

Told my girl that my prospects were good
she said Daddy, it’s understood.
A clean environment is more than just fine,
It gives me a chance to live a long time.

Daddy you can ride a bike. Pedal power’s what I like. Daddy you can ride a bike, and we can be car free. Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

I told my girl I can start right away
When she said listen Dad I got something to say
Just one less car is a fantastic start,
and lets get our friends to take on their part.

Friends you can ride a bike. Bad balance? You can get a trike. Friends you can ride a bike, and we can be Oil free. Ding ding a ling ling, yeah!

Bike When You Can blog

Rod Bryan, former 2006 independent candidate for Governor of Arkansas, shared with us his past efforts trying to shift our car-centric lifestyles using his Xtracycle, and his current work as Housing Coordinator for Our House, a non-profit shelter for homeless individuals and families in Little Rock.

In his run for Governor, Rod’s first proposed initiative was aimed at “[improving] quality of life for Arkansans by making it easier to travel in communities and across the state by bicycle.” His concrete goals included increasing daily use of bicycles by citizens & state employees; improving cycling infrastructure and increasing bicycle use and maintenance education. It’s refreshing and empowering to see someone close their music record shop, take work at a bakery, and devote their time, money and energy to help improve the livelihoods of their fellow citizens.

Now, as housing coordinator for Our House, Rod sees the effects of our car-culture on the individuals and families he serves. Living by example, Rod rides his Xtracycle to work and encourages people “to try and find employment within a biking radius from their homes.”

“Daily, shelter residents look at my bicycle with oohs and ahhs. I have a vision to introduce them to riding Xtracyles while they are staying at the shelter and encourage them to save money to buy their own upon leaving. I also envision residents learning bike mechanics as part of our job training and as a way to sustain their own transportation and independence.

If it weren’t for the money in my campaign, I don’t know if I ever would have gotten an Xtracycle. I know that many of the people in our shelter see bicycles other than second-hand or from Wal-Mart as extravagances. I truly believe that if we introduce our residents to Xtracycles and the many things that Xtracycle makes possible it will truly open them to another world. “

Rod is accepting donations through Our House to help individuals ease the cost burden of owning a cargo bicycle for use as their daily transportation tool. If you can offer financial support, or want to donate your FreeRadical after upgrading to a Radish or Big Dummy, you can contact Rod at rod{at}ourhouseshelter{dot}com.

Raising Funds to Build an Xtracycle Fleet for Urban Agriculture & Farming

People’s Grocery, a non-profit organization based in West Oakland, is raising funds to build their longtail fleet. Xtracycle is matching all donations allocated for their fleet program, so donate today and double your donation!

80% of the world’s population now lives in cities. Urban and peri-urban agriculture is emerging as a more viable solution to meet the fresh produce needs of communities living in urban centers. Whether on abandoned city blocks, rooftops, or aquaponics systems; urban agriculture is a hot potato.

Donate today