Bike lanes, while useful, also carry their fair share of danger when motorists simply aren't aware that a cyclist is in their vicinity. But, a new laser-based signaling system to alert motorists to the presence of cyclists may solve the problem by projecting a bright green bike symbol onto the pavement ahead of a cyclist. BLAZE is a small, battery operated device that can be attached to the handlebars of bicycles, motorcycles or scooters. It projects a bright green laser image onto the road ahead to alert other motorists that there is someone in the bike lane. The image can be made to flash to increase visibility and can even be used in sunny daylight conditions. The device was created by Emily Brooke, a final-year design student at the University of Brighton in England. Brooke worked  to develop the system with road safety experts, the Brighton & Hove City Council, the Brighton & Hove Bus Company and driving psychologists.

When filmmaker and bicyclist Casey Neistat received a $50 fine for riding outside of a bike lane in New York City despite his protestations that the bike lane is often unsafe, he made this video in which he attempts to reduce the law to absurdity. So Neistat religiously sticks within the boundaries of the bike lane, even if they're blocked by trash, taxi, or trucks -- and if there's no way around them, he simply crashes spectacularly into them. It's not entirely clear that the ticketing Neistat describes is legal in the first place; what the law actually says is that "Bicycle riders must use bike path/lane, if provided, except for access, safety, turns, etc." [emphasis added], but NYC police have been aggressively ticketing cyclists this year, sometimes without regard for that caveat. New York City regulations also ban "parking, standing or stopping vehicles within or otherwise obstructing bike lanes." Neistat's point: Police can't fairly enforce the law with respect to cyclists without applying it to everyone else and making the lanes safe for use. (Consumerist via Boing Boing)

Cambridge, Massachusetts has come up with a creative way to support its increasingly bike-loving populace and to encourage people to opt for green transport. The city has installed three bicycle repair stations around town. Cyclists can drop by the spots in Harvard Square and make minor repairs or inflate their tires. Cambridge's transportation manager says the city was inspired by MIT, which already had bike repair stations.

Boston.com:

The stands provide tire gauges and pumps, Allen wrenches and a few other tools that enable cyclists to make minor repairs, such as adjusting seats or handlebars. Each station cost the city about $1,000 and Seiderman said the city got the idea from MIT which has already installed repair stations around its campus. The installation of the repair stations comes as the city has seen a growing number of people riding bikes through Cambridge. A study conducted by the city estimates that the number of people bicycling in Cambridge more than doubled between 2002 and 2008, based on a study of the number of cyclists counted traveling through 17 different intersections. Seiderman said the number has continued to rise since 2008.

Artist Joseph L. Griffiths has devised a bicycle-powered drawing machine which creates colorful gyroscopic patterns of varying sizes on walls with the turn of a set of pedals. Per Neatorama, "His interactive installations explore man’s relationship with machines and involve the audience in the creative cycle."

Attn. Ghost Rider: The bike-makers at Neil Pryde had an employee ride through a parking garage on a bicycle with burning wheels. Just like in the movies about cars/motorcycles/other vehicles with burning wheels (usually not bicycles), it actually leaves a trail of flames in its wake. (via Gizmodo)