April recently wrote In Defense of Sidewalk Bike Riding, suggesting that it's OK in certain circumstances: "I believe there are in everyday cycling occasions on which a cyclist may need to sidewalk ride." Meanwhile economist Felix Sal

images via Bicycle Design

We have admired Bakfiets, the big Dutch cargo bikes that carry kids around the Netherlands, before; Warren noted that they have a low centre of gravity and are very stable, and probably are a whole lot safer than kids' sea

Images via Polymaps

This amazing Polymaps project from SimpleGeo and Stamen shows where San Francisco's roads are a little worse for the wear. The "Pavement Condition Index Map" illustrates the condition of the street pavement across the city, pointing out in a very visual way where the asphalt needs a little TLC.

Screenshots via Reg Hardware

Might augmented reality on smart phones bring a whole new interest in using public transportation? Well... it is really, really darn cool.

Like American cities, Toronto is taxed-starved to the point that a couple of years ago it couldn't find $75K to save its community yellow bike system. But its gotta be, as a former mayor used to say, "World Class", so if Paris and London and Montreal have bike share systems, so does Toronto.

Image via Velomini

For urban cyclists, there's the convenience of folding bikes that can easily fit inside an apartment, office cubicle, or subway car, and there's also the helpful ease of electric assist bikes which can get you to work without breaking much of a sweat.

Image via The Red Ferret Journal

Sticking solar cells on bikes for supplemental power is not exactly new, but the idea is finally finding more fashionable forms. Well, sort of. This small bag fits onto handle bars or the bike bar for gathering a charge while riding.

Image via Gizmodo

Some cyclists prefer style over safety, including when it comes to safety lighting. Cyglo Tyres appears to offer both, ditching the bulky bulb on the handlebars for LEDs embedded in the tires themselves. When spinning, they form a perfect circle of colored light. The best part is that the lights are powered by the spinning wheel itself.

Image Credit: !ola via Yoxi

When challenged to come up with a way to inspire more people to bike for transportation in addition to recreation, three three "former non-bikers" from New York City proposed a campaign to focus on mutual respect between drivers and bikers.

How many TreeHugger hot buttons can be pushed in one post? After Toronto cyclist Charles Prinsep was killed in 2007 while riding across the country, his friends set up Charlie's FreeWheels. It takes kids at risk in Toronto's roughish Regent Park and teaches them to fix bikes.