‘Cause we got the alternative energy
For a nuclear free autonomy! (I’ve had that Combat Wombat track in my head the whole way through this project).
So a while back Katie Lee got in touch with me about this cross stitch pattern she’d designed and was planning on stitching more of to raise some cash for the Austin Yellow Bike Project. And I said ‘well hey! let’s make it into a pattern!
The Austin Yellow Bike Project is a community supported ALL-VOLUNTEER 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing human-powered transportation for the people of Austin, running a community bike shop, and educating kids and adults.
They are on a fundraising drive to set up their new headquarters. All profits from the sale of this pattern will go direct to AYBP.
So if you’re into doing anything you can to help get people out of cars and onto bikes, pop over to the Radical Rags etsy store and grab yours today!
My favourite things
Ooh I love the internet being full of clever people.
The Social Design Network recently held a competition called Power to the Pedal “This competition looks for ways to enhance the biking experience with designs for accessories or add-ons to existing bikes.”
There’s some great entries and I urge you to check them all out. But my absolute favourite combines my love of bikes, bubbles and gardening.
It’s called Bloom and it’s a pedal powered bubble delivery seed distributor!
The Bloom device is meant to be a subversive and inspirational tool for our concrete jungles. Similar to the tuft of a dandelion as the wind carries the seedling, we propose a way of dispersing seedlings with bubbles and bicycling. Seeds are co-mingled with a bubble mixture and upon pedaling to your destination , you release the floating seeds which land in cracks and crevices throughout the city streets. Over time, the seeds grow into flowers and plants to create a green “fringe” to our sidewalks and streets.
Using natural ingredients; vegetable based soap and seeds, combine together to make a dissolving “nugget”. The resulting mixture resides in a reservoir inside Blooms aluminum housing. The housing is attached to the lower frame near the rear tire, similar to a exhaust pipe. Upon pedalling, air enters the front of Bloom and spins a pinwheel inside which picks up a small drop of the seed/bubble mixture and blows a bubble carrying a seed out the back as “exhaust”.
Our inspiration comes from the tale of Johnny Appleseed, where he would spread seeds everywhere he went planting apple trees for future generations.
Brought to you by the geniuses of the week Matthew Boyko and Christina Ng.
I SO WANT ONE!!!!!!!!
props: rebel:art