Monday, January 17, 2011

Bike Valet Parking

Bike Valet Parking is becoming a monster indeed. Very popular and almost expected at many places. Just recently we have been running BVP a the Sydney festival Opening night and various Domain concerts.


BVP has also been held at Newtown Festival and various 'eco' fairs across Sydney as  well as many other events and things to do. BVP featured at the Bicycle Film Festival street fair and was truly missed at the movie venues


BFF - Sunny Day Street Fair from Skeleton Key on Vimeo.

Bike Valet Parking is not a new thing here in Sydney. Infact we have won awards and nominations for awards

*Finalist* Environmental Business - City of Sydney Business Awards 2009

*Winner* Special Achievement Award by a Bicycling Organisation - The Cycling Promotion Fund Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards 2010


So what is Bike Valet Parking ?

Bike valet parking is like a coat check for bicycles. Patrons are issued claim checks in exchange for their bikes and our staff guard them in a secure corral

you can find more information on BVP at the BikeSydney website

I have noticed that there are many many more bikes on our streets , cycleways and paths. this is a great thing as far as I can tell. It makes our fantastic city of Sydney a lot more social and friendly and also cosmopolitan too. The new cycleway near Taylor Square has made a massive impact by making the whole area feel so much "MORE" as in nice and more nice.

Mandatory Helmet Laws are still a debacle. With some stats stating how bad they are and others how good. No matter your perspective or bias you will find statistics to suit your message. Although I stand firmly against MHL there will be situations where I would still choose to wear one.. Also I think my kids should wear them too.

With the rise of bikes in public areas you will see a lot of ladies bikes being ridden by stylish ladies of all ages. There is a massive growth in what is called cycle chic.  there are a few local sites around and I do not have much to say about them other than they are not really bike sites but mearly a fashion accessory concept blog. One site does differ in my eye. because they claim to love their bikes and want to ride more and do more picnics and just have fun.  Well done www.featherbrigade.blogspot.com/ I commend you on your efforts and your vibe and enthusiasm. While other local cycle chic blogs seem a tad try hard and very very niche. you do not claim to be something else. Keep it up.


Recently, I was fishing with my kid on the glorious Sydney Harbour when I got a call to do some work. To cut a long story short. I ended up driving Public Enemy (wiki link not band) about for 3 days. I was the guy who saw them off the place and then every time they went someplace in Sydney including lugging their back line and their bags. It was a great gig and I met some interesting people. I got on quite well with a few of the guys but mainly Eric from S1W. I had heard of Public Enemy (since 1982) but I really had no idea how much influence they actually had. Time over Matter I guess.


I was at the concert and I was really impressed. The crowd was awesome and the show was a great vibe. The metro was a great venue too. I noticed that ACDC was one of the tracks they used to create their vibe. Funny enough. I was playing ACDC in the van when I picked them up (nice coincidence ). Watching these guys was inspiring . They where on the FEAR OF A BLACK NATION tour. Thanks guys. all 14 of you.

Last year I met a few guys riding fixed gears from Sydney to Melbourne. They where called Fat Out Fixed. I helped them out for a few days and a month b4 Christmas I got in the mail a brand new steel frame and fork from them. Thank you Patrick. I will be building up the track frame over the next month.

CMWC 2010 is over and I can tell you having a skype meeting every week and doing the website was not really as easy as it could have been. This is not a complaint about any one but more of 'wow, what a task, and I am glad it is over' CMWC 2011 is looking like up to be a 'big' one indeed. It will be in Warsaw. I have my ticket already.

HIPSTERS. who the hell is a hipster anyway? I can tell you a hipster will deny being one with deep conviction. I think I am one ... sort of anyway. Generally this label is hated by anyone on the receiving end of it. But seriously. If you wear tight tight jeans and look mod like and would fit into a design conference, ride without any brakes or a helmet and are new to cycling.. Your a HIPSTER.
If your new to cycling wear a helmet and have brakes and ride and walk on the pavement  you are not. Not even if you are wearing tight jeans and a loose hi-glow WHAM tee shirt.
Something that urked me heavily the other day was some dude who took his fixie and made it single speed. It had a front brake but no back brake... come on now... your face is ok... NOW... get a brake so it stays that way.

Now earlier in this post I mentioned cycle chic and now hipsters. The difference is huge. One is about cycling and one is about a fad.... if you understand this next image your on my wavelength.  This was designed by HOUSE OF PISTARD  . Pistard is a french word meaning essentially 'a track rider' most hipsters will not ride in the rain or on the track. Those of you who do... WELCOME!

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