Retroreflective vinyl turns your black bike white in the light

If you go biking at night, it's a smart idea to have reflectors on your bike so cars don't accidentally run you over. But what if, rather than slapping reflectors on your bike, you made your entire bike a reflector? Oh, and you did so invisibly?

This is entirely possible thanks to retroreflective vinyl. It's a material that looks black in normal light, but turns completely white and reflective when a bright light, such as headlights, is shone on it. It's totally awesome, giving your bike a cool black exterior that also keeps you totally safe by acting as beacon when light hits it. You can get the material and do it to your own bike if you want.

BrightBike, Via Core77

Brunton BrewFire Dual-Fuel Coffee Maker

If you really, really need your morning cup o' joe no matter where you are, check out the Brunton BrewFire Dual-Fuel Coffee Maker ($TBA; February 2009).

This unique coffee maker is fueled by either propane or butane fuel, letting you brew up to eight cups of java pretty much anywhere you want.

Great for one of those 'plush' camping trips, but it might be a great use for all of those partial propane leftovers from the latern

Update: It has finally released and it goes for a whopping $160+, amazingly the thing is already temporaryly out of stock, but you can still get on the waiting list

Optibike is the perfect bike for people who hate to bike?!

Biking is a great way to get around, but what if you're lazy? If that's the case, biking isn't that great, what with it demanding physical exertion to work. And who likes exerting themselves physically? (I do, Ido) But if you don't then that's why you might like the Optibike OB1. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, it allows you to sit back and pedal as little as you want, even enjoying a delicious Subway sandwich while riding if you so choose. It also has built-in GPS to ensure that you know where you're going, and a PDA to keep track of your rides. It's the perfect bike for those individuals who would rather be sitting on the couch, doing anything they can to avoid exercise.

Engadget, via Ubergizmo

Grasshopper bike generates energy, is super portable

Biking is a great way to get around, what with it providing exercise and being totally eco-friendly. But what if it could be even more eco-friendly?

Well, not only does the Grasshopper not use any energy, like all bikes, but it actually generates surplus energy that can be used for other things.
In addition, it folds up into a compact, carryable size, making it perfect for city dwellers who don't have much room to store their bikes and have to lug them up flights of stairs every day.

Oh, and did I mention it can also be converted into a stationary exercise bike? Yeah, it's that awesome. I want one right now.

Via Yanko Design

Ride Anywhere: Pugsley, the Bicycle SUV

A few days officially into Winter for the Northern Hemisphere, and many cyclists are probably thinking about hanging up their cycling helmet for the season. The bicycle is however a very adaptable beastie, than can be ridden in a myriad of conditions, including snow.

One such never-say-die trusty stead is the Pugsley. No doubt named after the chubby child from the Addams Family TV series, this bicycle version is also easily recognised by its sizeable girth, particularly those ginormous 4” tires. These give the bike incredible float over what would otherwise be very awkward terrain.

Article continues: Ride Anywhere: Pugsley, the Bicycle SUV

A Resolution for 2009: Around the World in an Electric Bike

Guim Valls Teruel is almost ready to go. His goal: Travel all 5 continents on an electric bike. The project is called the Electric Bicycle World Tour.

Guim decided to choose this alternative form of personal transportation to promote the use of cleaner energy and the non-reliance on fossil fuel. According to him, one person has never done this before. However, many people can participate in this “one kilometre – one hope” sponsorship program set up by an NGO, by showing solidarity and hence become part of the tour. So why go electric?

Article continues on Treehugger.com: A Resolution for 2009: Around the World in an Electric Bike

How Fast Can a Bicycle Go? 8 Videos Brings Us Up to Speed...

I really like the shape his shadow casts. Image source

I do prattle on about how the bicycle is the world's most energy efficient vehicle, but just how fast can a human go on a bicycle?

It depends on how you are measuring that speed. Are they rushing downhill added by the press of gravity? Are they riding an upright style bike in the position familiar to most of us, or are they reclined in the recumbent pose most suited to streamlined rocket profiled two wheeled vehicles? Are they drafting or slipstreaming along in the partial vacuum created by a non-human powered craft? So many ways to feel the need for speed on a bicycle, and to measure that rush. Below we take a peek at just a few.

Article continues on Treehugger.com: How Fast Can a Bicycle Go? 8 Videos Brings Us Up to Speed