Tag: science

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ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan

A long time ago I read an article on Design Boom by Juliana Neira detailing an incredible underground automated bicycle parking system in Japan. The first installation was in 2013 and since then, many of these systems have installed around Japan. The ECO cycle system is a remarkable technological design and as our cities become more and more crowded, solutions such as these that are not common in Western countries (but are elsewhere) might offer some ideas for how innovative technological designs could help address issues of urbanization and contested spaces. Enjoy. NG.

Watch the video above for a great demo of how ECO cycle works.

Created by Giken, ECO Cycle was launched in 2013. It is as an automated mechanical underground parking lot for bicycles and today there are over 50 parking stations in Japan (with plans for global expansion on the way). 

ECO Cycle is an automated bicycle parking facility developed with the concept of ”Culture Aboveground, Function Underground”. With a compact entrance booth, it requires minimal space above ground and provides more than 200 parking spaces underground.

The entry to ECO Cycle is compact and unobtrusive. It has a unique press-in technology, making it a powerful option in urban districts where it is difficult to acquire land. The entrance/exit booths are above ground (at street level), while the rest of the ECO cycle structure is underground and it is completely computer-controlled automated. Surveillance sensors make sure the bikes are safe, eliminating theft through the use of a personal tag or card, making it easy for anyone to use.

ECO-Cycle DevelopmentDownload

Average storage and retrieval time is 13 seconds. (I know right….WHATTTTT!!!??) . To dock your bike, you push the bicycle forward to the front of the entrance door. The front wheel shutter opens, activated by the IC tag attached to the bike. When ready, you push your bike forward and insert the front wheel into the slot. After it has been inserted, it is clamped and fixed. You then step off the sensor map and press the ‘drop-off start’ button and the rest of the operation is completed by the machines which take your bike underground to storage.

You retrieve your bike by using your storage card and your bike is automatically retrieved for you. Amazing!!!

Gilken also says that ECO Cycle is earthquake resistant – a big plus in places like Japan where earthquakes are an ongoing issue.

ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan. Bicycles Create Change.com 11th October 2020.
Image: Design Boom

I can see there are many benefits of ECO cycle not least of all because it saves (above ground) public space and offers great protection for bikes from theft, weather and damage.

From a sustainability perspective, I am concerned about the amount and source of power needed to operate the whole venture – it seems ironic to ride a bike to support the environment, only to have your storage methods produce a bigger carbon footprint than you just saved by riding.

As we move towards a more contested and complex future where riding bikes is going to play a critical role, it will be imperative to be open to experimenting with new designs that encourage biking, active transport and more sustainable practices. In highly populated cities (like in Japan) have accessible, cheap and reliable bike parking is a great way to encourage more people to cycle.

Although not 100% perfect, the ECO cycle provides an innovative example for considering new ways in which technology, space, people and bicycles might be better accounted for in large cities.

ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan. Bicycles Create Change.com 11th October 2020.Iamge:
Image: Gilken
ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan. Bicycles Create Change.com 11th October 2020.
Image: Design Boom
ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan. Bicycles Create Change.com 11th October 2020.
Image: Design Boom
ECO-Cycle: Automated bike parking in Japan. Bicycles Create Change.com 11th October 2020.
Image: Gilken

Some content for this post was sources from Design Boom.

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‘Thought control’ bicycle for spinal injury rehab

I am delighted to share this story. As well as being an incredibly inspirational story and testament to Dinesh Palipana’s unique fortitude and character, this story showcases some of the pioneering work that my university is doing. …And it is totally bike related! I’ve been working at Griffith for over 5 years now. I am continually impressed with the reach, impact and significant contributions Griffith makes to improve society. Last year, I posted about Griffith design graduate and PhD candidate James Novak’s global award-winning world’s first 3D printed bicycle – also unreal!! This story is about how Dinesh and his team turned an accident he had during his PhD into a scientific-bike research breakthrough. This article was originally published by Griffith News earlier this year. Here it is in full. Enjoy! NG.

‘Thought control’ bicycle for spinal injury rehab. Bicycles Create Change.com 16th July, 2019.

Griffith medical graduate and Gold Coast University Hospital junior doctor Dinesh Palipana thinks about walking a lot, since a car accident left him a quadriplegic part-way through his medicine degree.

Now he’s thinking about pushing the pedals of a specially-adapted recline bike, and thanks to electronic muscle stimulation, he’s actually moving, in what is the first step towards a world-first integrated neuro-musculoskeletal rehabilitation program, being developed at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP).

Griffith biomechanical scientists and engineers Professor David Lloyd, Dr Claudio Pizzolato and his team, together with Dinesh as both researcher and patient, are aiming to use their ground-breaking 3D computer-simulated biomechanical model, connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG) to capture Dinesh’s brainwaves, to stimulate movement, and eventually recovery.

Thinking about riding a bike

“The idea is that a spinal injury or neurological patient can think about riding the bike. This generates neural patterns, and the biomechanical model sits in the middle to generate control of the patient’s personalised muscle activation patterns. These are then personalised to the patient, so that they can then electrically stimulate the muscles to make the patient and bike move,” says Professor Lloyd who is also from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland.

“It’s all in real-time, with the model adjusting the amount of stimulation required as the patient starts to recover.

“We’re in the early stages of research and we’re having to improvise with our equipment, however we know we have shown our real-time personalised model works, basically like a digital twin of the patient.”

Dr Palipana is excited to be part of such novel research in his own backyard.

“I have a selfish and vested interest in spinal cord injury research and I’m completely happy to be the guinea pig,” Dr Palipana says.

“We’ve had equipment for many years where people passively exercise using stationary bikes, and stationary methods where people get on and the equipment moves their legs for them. The problem is you really need some stimulation from the brain.

“As the years go by we’re starting to realise that the whole nervous system is very plastic and it has to be trained, so actually thinking about moving the bike or doing an activity stimulates the spinal cord from the top down and that creates change.”

This top down, bottom up approach is novel, with the model effectively providing a substitute connection between the limbs and the brain where it was previously broken when the spinal cord was injured.

The neuro-rehabilitation research will dovetail with exciting research by Griffith biomedical scientist, Associate Professor James St John, who has had promising results for his biological treatment using olfactory (nasal) cells, to create nerve bridges to regenerate damaged spinal cords.  

Establishing new neural pathways

“You use the modelling to recreate the connection, and over time, with the science of Associate Professor James St John, you establish new neural pathways. So over time patients will be less dependent on the model to control the bike movement and it will move back to their own control, with their regenerating spinal cord and their reprogrammed neural pathways,” says Professor Lloyd.

Associate Professor James St John hopes to move into human clinical trials in the GCHKP within the next 2-3 years, and in parallel Professor Lloyd and his team hope to refine their rehab testing with Dinesh, and develop the technology with leading global companies in exoskeleton design. These companies, could in turn, be attracted into the 200-hectare GCHKP.

“In ten years we want to be a one-stop shop for spinal cord injury and complex neurological patients,” Professor Lloyd says.

“I’m just really lucky to be well-positioned here where it’s all happening and I want to be involved as much as possible as a doctor and a potential scientist,” says Dr Palipana.

“It’s my university, my hospital, my city – it’s just really nice to be a part of that.”

Further links:

‘Thought control’ bicycle for spinal injury rehab. Bicycles Create Change.com 16th July, 2019.
Dr Dinesh Palipana with Professor David Lloyd (right) and Dr Claudio Pizzolato (left).

Images and text courtesy of Griffth University News.

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Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change

Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change. Bicycles Create Change.com 28th June, 2019.

Nâm Arya is a first generation Tibetan-America. In 2016, she spent a year undertaking an epic bike-packing and speaking tour of the U.S called Bike for Tibet. 

Her goal was to spread the word about the impacts of climate change in Tibet and to seek climate justice for Tibetans.

I got excited to find out more about the trip online. I went to Nâm’s online journal, but there was not much content there. Bummer because the trip itself sounds awesome! Even so, this initiative is so worthwhile. I suppose you have to go to one of the talks in order to get all the details! Fair play!

Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change. Bicycles Create Change.com 28th June, 2019.

What is Bike for Tibet?

It was a year-long bicycle tour of the U.S. for the purpose of bringing Tibet and Tibetans into the global conversation on climate justice.

Along the way Nâm offered 60+ min presentations to discuss and dissect climate change issues in Tibet.

During these discussions, she highlighted key concerns including the displacement of nomads, the effects of dams along Tibetan rivers, and mining.  

Nâm also outlined root causes, false solutions, issues of colonization, and how democracy features within the context of exploited communities.

A central theme in all the presentations is inter-dependence. She also linked wider issues from other communities seeking environmental justice in the US and abroad.

Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change. Bicycles Create Change.com 28th June, 2019.

Who is Bike for Tibet?

Nâm is an exiled Tibetan woman who was born in Mungod Resettlement Camp in southern India. As a youth, she  attended Tibetan boarding school in the northern India until she immigrated to the US in 1996 where she now lives.

 She and her bike-riding-mad partner Jonni undertook the 12-month Bike for Tibet journey together.

Jonni is adventure bicyclist and Instagram celebrity under the moniker UltraRomance. If you have not seen Jonni’s IG before, check it out – he is hilarious!

What a brilliant idea for a bike project! Get out on the road with your favourite person, ride around living a simple life and promote a very important environmental and social issue at the same time– wicked!

Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change. Bicycles Create Change.com 28th June, 2019.

How did Bike for Tibet get started?

Nâm says she was inspired by Drukpa Rinpoche’s Eco Pad Yatra and the enduring work of Tibet climate change organizations working to  vision to bring stabilise the Himalaya Plateau.

She created Bike For Tibet to be a nexus for these projects, influences and practices – as well as something she loves best to do – biking!

The Bike for Tibet project builds on Nâm’s decade-long leadership and work within the environmental movement.

Nâm used crowd funding to get Bike for Tibet up and running. Although she is advocating for climate action, Bike for Tibet is independent and not affiliated with any one particular group.

Tibetan Bike Rider Combating Climate Change. Bicycles Create Change.com 28th June, 2019.

Some parts of this post were taken from the Bike for Tibet website to ensure accuracy of facts. All images by Bike for Tibet or IG UltraRomance unless otherwise indicated.

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Farewell 2018!

Farewell 2018! Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th Dec, 2018.
Image: Andy A (Flickr)

Congratulations on making it the end of 2018!!

What an epic year it has been.

This year was full of highs and lows and presented some incredible opportunities.

As we draw to the close of 2018, this is the perfect time to review what worked, what didn’t work, changes that need to be made and what will be the primary focus for 2019.

In previous years, around this time, husband and I have been in Rotorua, New Zealand mountain biking. But this year, we are conserving and consolidating – we are also using the time to experiment with our bike packing gear and setups and using the time to get some kms in the legs.

My next year is going to be dramatically different. In 2019, I’m working on my bicycle PhD full-time, reducing my teaching load drastically and undertaking more bike packing than MTB adventures.

Who knows what new opportunities and challenges will emerge for each of us.

Whatever your experience is, I wish you the best of luck and oodles of positivity in doing what you need and what to achieve in 2019.

If 2019 is going to be anything like 2018, it will be jammed packed full of surprises, tests, success and possibilities.

Farewell 2018! Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th Dec, 2018.
Image: SF Bike Party

Remember what happened in 2018?


Here’s a quick recap from online news about the year that was.. remember these?

Internationally

  • North and South Korea vowed to formally end the Korean War
  • Cuba announced a new president ending the 59-year Castro leadership
  • Iraq had its first parliamentary elections since the defeat of ISI int he country
  • Canada became the second nation in the world, after Uruguay, to legalize marijuana
  • Mexico is selling its $218.7 million presidential plane to use funds for poor communities
  • South Korea closed its largest dog meat slaughterhouse
  • Meghan Markle became the first woman of color to join the British royal family

Human rights

  • In Saudi Arabia, women are finally able to drive
  • Ireland voted and repealed its abortion ban
  • India’s Supreme Court decriminalised consensual gay sex
  • Scotland became the first country to back teaching LGTBI issues in schools
  • The “Year of the Woman” went global
  • Africa saw a huge and significant decline in female genital mutilation
  • For the first time in Iran, women were allowed to attend wmen’s sporting events

The environment

  • We discovered 157 new species in Southeast Asia
  • New Zealand may have killed its oil industry to combat climate change
  • Major fashion brands united against climate change
  • A growing number of Americans now believe climate change is happening
  • Scientists came up with an idea to stop glaciers from melting
  • British fashion house Burberry says it’ll stop destroying unsold goods and using fur
  • Scientists developed a plastic-eating enzyme

Health & Science

  • A woman gave birth to a baby after she received a uterus transplant from a dead person
  • The UK has exceeded UN targets for HIV diagnosis and treatment, proving efforts to control the epidemic can work
  • Researchers developed a 10-minutes cancer test
  • A new Ebola treatment trial began
  • A new peanut allergy drug has provided fresh hope
  • A study found dogs can be a powerful tool in diagnosing malaria

Best of luck for 2019!

What ever you plans and goals are for 2019 – I wish you all the best!

May your 2019 be a biking blast!

Farewell 2018! Bicycles Create Change.com. 30th Dec, 2018.
Image: MTB Discovery


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Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018

At the start of this year, I posted on the interesting range of 2018 ‘International Day of the ..’ events. So, I was excited when I found out that the latest International Astronomy Day was on the weekend. Especially when I saw how a few cycling groups took advantage of this unique celestial event to organise some community night rides. What a wicked thing to do! Check details to suit as per where you live (i.e. Northern or Southern Hemipshere).
Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018Image: The Astronomical League

I am a BIG fan of night rides.

On this blog, night riding is celebrated in many ways, such as:

And this weekend provided another exciting night time ride opportunity!

International Astronomy Day 2018!

Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018Chart by Guy Ottewell

What is Astronomy Day?

Astronomy Day is a global event observed every spring and ‘fall’ (autumn).

This an annual event is intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.

The event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger (then Astronomical Association of Northern California president). His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that anyone could enjoy looking at the heavens.

Since then the event has since grown and is now celebrated in many ways around the world by people in science and the general public.

Originally, Astronomy Day occurred on a Saturday between mid-April and mid-May, and was scheduled so as to occur at or close to the first quarter Moon. For this year, that meant that this latest official International Astronomy Day fell on April 21, 2018.

In 2007, an autumn equivalent of Astronomy Day was added. The next Autumn Astronomy Day will be on October 13, 2018. So, put it in the calendar and organise a night ride!

What does this mean for cyclists? See what these guys did!

It means you get out on your bike with a few others and go for a killer night ride to learn and enjoy our incredible cosmos!

My favorite Astronomy Day bike event for this year was held by Bicycle Tree. They are a nonprofit community bike centre/shop in Santa Ana (Orange Country, CA).

See more of their work and good times on Instagram: @Bicycle Tree.

 Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018Image: The Bicycle Tree

The Bicycles Tree: Sabor de Santa Ana Community Bike Ride.

The Bicycle Tree instruction for this event were:  This Saturday is Astronomy Day, so we’re going to gaze upon the universe during our ride Saturday night!  Telescopes and guidance will be provided by Jeff Schroeder, a former JPL engineer and Mount San Antonio College planetarium lecturer, and current Outreach Director for the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers! Jeff will be bringing meteor samples as well.

We will, of course, also be getting food along the way. We’re going to TCW – Tacos Churros and Wings for stellar food!

The ride meets at the shop at 6:00 pm and we roll out at 6:30. We’ll be back at around 9:30. We do this monthly ride to get together and enjoy some of the great food that Santa Ana has to offer while cruising through this city’s streets and neighborhoods! .

We’ll be riding about 12 miles at a mild pace. We’ll end up back at the shop at around 9:30.

Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018Image: The Anime Gallery

Talk about making the most out of a biking community event!!

This event is brilliant because it really does create more positive community change, in that it provides an opportunity for partipants to:

  • be part of a key international event/date
  • brings a range of community members together
  • riders get to learning about the universe – something new
  • gain some experience using specialist astronomy equipment
  • have fun riding bikes around your local area
  • get out and be active in the evening

What a great idea this kind of community ride is!

I’d love to see more of these kind of events happening.

These events provide great examples and inspiration to plan for other upcoming ‘international’ dates.

I can’t wait to see what kind of innovative bike ride you put on!

Best of luck and happy star gazing on your next ride all!

Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018

Here’s what is coming up for those in the Northern Hemisphere – have fun! Bike rides on Astronomy Day 2018 @Bicycles Create Change.com 23rd April 2018Image: The Astronomical League

 For more Astronomy Day info: click here for a Fact Sheet, history and more about ‘when’ and ‘where‘ about this event from The Astronomical League (what a great name!).