Wow! We were speechless when we saw this video showing Michael Lambourn’s brand new SmartLock in action. It definitely inspires a little of the “now we’ve seen everything” thinking, but we personally welcome any and all additions that discourage bicycle theft. Naturally, Dero believes in secure bike parking for both long term and short term applications. But, the bike rack is only as good as its lock. Kudos to Michael for an exciting (and cool) addition to the world of bicycle protection.
Last week, members of Dero staff participated in their bi-annual Adopt-a-Greenway activities. As part of Dero’s commitment to bicycle advocacy, staff time is given back to the community. In addition to picking up trash and debris, volunteers were lucky enough to do a fall planting of native species on the Midtown Greenway’s Anne Sullivan ramp. Everyone had fun, especially the dogs, and we’re looking forward to seeing our new plants take hold and grow.
If you’re located in the Twin Cities and interested in the Adopt-a-Greenway program visit:
We loved the excerpt below from Holland Sentinal Columnist, Tom Hoover. Though we don’t endorse letting air out of tires or other debauchery taking aim at fellow cyclists, we can’t help share his feelings. Oh, the simple bike rack and life of the everyday biker…
“Since my move to Holland, I’ve been able to park my gas guzzler and either walk or ride my bike to work. My favorite is riding the bike. Before I bought my bike this summer I hadn’t been on one in years. OK, truth be told, it had been decades. So there were a few things to relearn about the bike. Besides riding it, that is.
The one thing I’d forgotten was the dynamics and politics of the bike parking rack. I’d forgotten that the bike rack is a microcosm of Darwinism in action. Survival of the fittest. Or in this case — the most obnoxiously selfish.
I need to say something about some of the other bikers who share rack space with me. A kickstand is there for a reason fellow cyclists — use it. There is a contingent of riders who believe the best way to park their bike is by laying theirs against mine. Usually with the pedals entwined in my spokes. And the handlebars tangled together like some kind of chromed modern sculpture. I’m sorry, but I feel my bicycle needs its personal space, and having strange bikes lay against mine seems like a violation of some sort. My bike is a shapely beach cruiser with a two-tone paint job and she’s uncomfortable around strangers. Especially those sleek Italian jobs with the skinny tires and big dérailleurs.
Like I said, the bike rack is everyone for themselves and crude vengeance comes to those of us with weak character and a short fuse. To the ancient-12-speed-Fuji-road-bike owner who made sure my chain was off every time you parked next to me, you may have noticed that your tires have been nearly flat the last few times you picked up your bike. I know nothing about that. To the guy who parks in the rack but locks his bike to the shrubbery: Dude, you need to take another look at the instructions for your lock. To the person who left a sticky note on my bike saying, “Look! I found Peewee’s bike,” at least I can ride over a curb without feeling like I’ve been to the proctologist.”
Dero Bike Rack's Joel Greenblatt adjusts one of the Freewheelin' fleet
In case you haven’t head, Minneapolis and St. Paul are currently home to a temporary bike share system. During the RNC, anyone visiting or living in the Twin Cities can get a free bike to ride from 7am-7pm though Thursday. (Just bring a driver’s license and credit card.) Freewheelin’ is made possible by Humana and Bikes Belong. Bikes Belong has recruited hundreds of volunteers to make this service available. Dero Bike Rack Company has donated staff-time to help with bike maintenance, lead bike tours, and help run some of the Freewheelin’ stations in Minneapolis.
Even if you have a bike already, please come check out a Freewheelin’ Bike. To help the
American Red Cross with the hurricane relief effort, Humana and Bikes Belong are now donating $10 for every mile ridden. As of lunchtime today. over $42,000 has been raised. Do your part- ride a bike today!
