Cycling in Dublin is best described as risky due to no room on the road and again when it comes to sharing roads and not forgetting being lit up having the right gear on and the clash with motorists and cyclists breaking red lights and much more but this is not about who is right or wrong this is a new app which will be welcome amongst the cycling community. I cycle myself and will be giving this a go and also we have some cycling tech accessories in for review so stay tuned for that.
Dublin Cycling Campaign, Dublin City Council, and Smart Dublin, have been working together to produce the ‘Go-To’ cycle routing and gamification app curated just for Dublin. Through the participation of our cycling community, this app will continue to crowd-source critical information to provide more ‘localised’ and accurate cycle routing data. This will help Dublin City Council to create a safer and more bike-friendly environment for all.
Dublin Cycling Buddy helps make your cycle rides around Dublin safer and more enjoyable! Built using a new community-powered cycling navigation engine, the app will find safe, bike-friendly routes for your commuting and recreational rides. It utilises large data sets, including GPS trajectories and crowdsourced issue reports, with a data engine that analyses the collected data to produce these optimised routes. The solution will give cyclists peace of mind when planning their ride, knowing full well that they’re getting the best selection of cycle routes available.
The collection of data from cycling routes will help the city council’s planning department determine which ‘non official’ routes that cyclists are organically taking, in order to improve cycling infrastructure in these key locations.
The app is also expected to foster a deeper digital community for Dublin cyclists through the real time feedback (e.g. potholes, traffic jams, near misses etc.), as well as taking part in the friendly competitions across the city and county.
As quoted by DCC’s Chief Executive Owen Keegan:
“The app offers Dublin’s cyclists a smarter way to engage with the Council, build a community of cyclists, as well as share trip information and advice on safer routes. This will help inform our investment priorities and also help us measure the impact of current investments across the city.”
In the past six months e-bikes sales have boomed. The restrictions have seen many people turn to electric bikes as an alternative way to travel to work or move around town as safely as possible. Now, many have discovered the joy and flexibility e-bikes bring and plan to carry on using them in the autumn and winter as restrictions come back into play.
But how can riders best keep themselves safe during darker, wet, colder days where hazards such as leaves and snow can make the roads more dangerous? Adrien Roose, CEO and founder of Cowboy offers seven tips to ensure riders keep safe as the weather changes.
Use your head: Helmets are without question essential for safety on the road and in winter are more vital than ever. Unfortunately, many are still riding without any head protection – as shown in a study by Statista and YouGov. But there really is no excuse. There is a great range available including smart helmets which look stylish and offer great features such as integrated lighting, turn signals and bluetooth connections. These features not only offer rider convenience and style but also increase safety.
Stand out: Rain and early twilight can cause poor visibility amongst road users. In order to be seen clearly it’s essential to have functional lighting. Electric lights and reflectors for the rear and front as well as for the pedals and spokes are a must have. When selecting a bike, look for those that have thought of winter riding and use features such as flashing to indicate braking.
Maintain the brakes: Salt, dirt and moisture can damage the brake material. A quick check up before each ride to ensure the pads have a good grip as well as regular cleaning of the hydraulic disk brakes will keep riders safe in traffic. It’s important to note that brake pads and rims are marked to show the level of usage.
Keeping the chain smooth: Water as well as road dirt increases abrasion of the chain, which ultimately leads to squeaking and corrosion. So make sure you are regularly cleaning it with either warm water or a chain cleaner. Some e-bikes, such as the Cowboy, are equipped with a carbon belt drive that is maintenance-free for up to 30,000 kilometers.
Keep batteries away from the cold: At temperatures below 10 °C special care is required for the cells: If possible it is recommended to take them inside with you into your home or workplace. If you are not using your bike for a long period of time, the battery should be stored in a dry place between 10 °C – 20 °C and recharged once every 1-2 months to ensure a charging level of approx. 60-80% and to prevent it draining completely. Choose a bike with a removable battery like the Cowboy 3 to keep it protected without having to store the whole frame.
Improving traction: If you plan to ride your electric bike outdoors all autumn and winter, you should either mount special winter tires or slightly reduce the tire pressure for a better surface contact which will increase the traction. For a puncture free ride, tires with a high-performance protective layer are also useful. With new tires it is essential to pay attention to their size in combination with the mudguards. Our tires are designed to withstand all weather conditions and are puncture resistant making them ideal for any season.
Take advantage of the features: Software developments mean that it’s sophisticated enough to now help users keep as safe as possible. The App has a great array of features including the recently launched ‘Crash Detection’ which means that if you are involved in a crash then an emergency contact is notified of your location if you fail to respond to the app asking if you’re ok. This is a great feature to give both the rider and family peace of mind.
Cowboy, the Belgium start-up with a vision to transform urban mobility, is using technology to reshape bike safety by introducing the industry’s first software designed to detect crashes and collisions – Crash Detection. Cowboy is putting rider safety at the very core of their mission to transform urban mobility and cities for the better with the new feature helping to protect over one million kilometers ridden by Cowboy users all over Europe every month.
Currently available in beta for a thousand users, the industry-first feature will be rolled out to all Cowboy 2 and Cowboy 3 riders by the end of September at no charge.
Using highly sensitive built-in sensors combined with GPS signal tracking, the bike communicates with the Cowboy app to detect a fall. If an accident occurs and the rider doesn’t confirm they’re fine within 60 seconds, Cowboy instantly alerts the rider’s emergency contacts (up to 2) to check in and offer help, while sharing the real-time rider position so they can be quickly located.
To provide riders with complete peace of mind, the Cowboy bike is also equipped with a SIM card that is completely independent from the phone and will work in every scenario, e.g. if the phone is damaged in a crash. This allows Cowboy to notify the emergency contact(s) without having to rely on the user’s phone.
Safety. At the core of Cowboy’s mission.
The Crash Detection feature was created as a result of a first-hand experience. Last year, Cowboy’s co-founder Tanguy Goretti had an accident with his bike. “The road was icy and visibility was limited”, Tanguy says. “I crashed after the first turn and glided for at least five meters. Luckily, there were people nearby to make sure I was okay and to help me and my bike off the street.” Thankfully, Tanguy’s accident only resulted in a few bruises and scratches, for him and his bike.
But walking away safely and relatively unharmed from a bike accident is not the case for everyone. “In Europe, most serious accidents occur just outside urban areas. In that scenario, you don’t always have someone to help and you might be left for a long time awaiting assistance. That’s how the idea for Crash Detection was born”, Tanguy who is responsible for the software development at the Brussels-based start-up further elaborates.
When done right, technology can have a huge impact on people’s lives and the safety of communities. Crash detection is Cowboy’s latest addition to an already comprehensive list of safety-first related features and innovations now available on the recently launched Cowboy 3 as well as previous versions of the bike:
Flashing brake light. The rear light flashes when you slow your speed so you’re more visible to the traffic behind you.
Puncture-resistant tires. All-rounder tires handle the load and the road.
Integrated front and rear lights. Be seen by others on the road, ever aware of your surroundings.
Hydraulic disc brakes. Ride fast and in control with hydraulic brakes that provide total stopping power the second you make contact.
Hundreds of Microsoft Ireland employees are swapping tech for tyres this month as they take on the challenge of cycling 30,000kms over the 30 days of September in order to raise €30,000 for LauraLynn, Ireland’s only children’s hospice.
Microsoft’s seventh annual charity cycle will see the company’s employees, as well as their family members, hit the road and clock up as many kilometres as they can on solo or family bike rides, or indoors on a stationary bike, in order to raise €1 for every kilometre cycled. Over the course of the 30 days, Microsoft employees will collectively cycle the distance to Perth, Australia and back.
All funds raised from the charity cycle will go directly to LauraLynn as it provides much needed respite for children and families after months of strict cocooning due to COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, LauraLynn has continued to provide family supports such as play and music therapy, counselling and wellbeing checks, as well as crisis respite at its hospice in Leopardstown, close to Microsoft’s campus at One Microsoft Place.
To mark the launch of the thirty-day cycling challenge, Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland said: “Despite the challenges created by COVID-19, the team at LauraLynn has continued to provide vital care and supports to families across Ireland. But now, more than ever, they need our support. That’s why our employees are dusting off their cycling helmets and getting back in the saddle for the 7th year to participate in a very special cycling challenge.
“Since 2014, Microsoft employees have raised a staggering €430,000 for LauraLynn by way of our annual cycle and we remain as committed as ever to achieving this year’s fundraising goal of €30,000.”
Emma Reid, a member of the Microsoft cycling team said: “This is my second year participating in the Microsoft cycle for LauraLynn and whilst COVID-19 is preventing us from cycling alongside our colleagues, we remain entirely united in our goal to raise much needed funds for the children’s hospice. Of course, I don’t intend on going it alone, my husband and two children and coming along for the ride as we collectively aim to complete 500 kilometres as a family over the course of the 30 days.”
Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice said: “We are humbled by the continued support shown to LauraLynn by Microsoft Ireland. This is the seventh year of the Microsoft annual cycle for LauraLynn and we are hugely appreciative of their ongoing support.
“Whilst there is still much uncertainty about what the remainder of the year and indeed next year will look like, we have been very fortunate in how generous our supporters and the public have been in response to our appeals and virtual challenges. Microsoft has been hugely supportive of LauraLynn and so it is really special to have the opportunity to work together again on this fantastic challenge”.
To support LauraLynn, members of the public can pledge their support and donate by simply logging on to http://aka.ms/Cycle4LauraLynn.
The public can track the progress of the team as they undertake their 30,000km challenge using the hashtag #MicrosoftLifeIreland.
As people and governments around the world rethink city life and the daily commute, today Belgian start-up Cowboy unveils its third generation electric bike. With a vision to transform urban mobility, the Cowboy 3 is designed for commuters all across Europe to ride fast and free toward the city of the future.
The Cowboy 3 model is engineered with several significant new hardware features including a single-gear automatic transmission to create the smoothest, simplest mode of transport on the streets today. With an obsessive attention to detail, including the removable battery built right into the frame, Cowboy continues to hold a distinct performance advantage in the market. Cowboy 3 uses the latest in design, smart technology, manufacturing excellence and is available for order now via cowboy.com at an RRP of €2.290 / £1.990. The first orders will be delivered at the end of July.
Cowboy also announces a major update to its app with features most desired by its rider community: auto-unlock, theft alert, crash detection, and air quality mapping now available for new and existing customers. These uniquely Cowboy features stack alongside a brand-new service offering: Cowboy Mobile Service. Rolling out in cities throughout the summer, any rider will be able to book a repair online and a local specialist will come to them to fix their bike, free of charge.
Bike Update Highlights
All-new:
Carbon belt transmission
No oily chain and no maintenance required for up to 30,000 kilometres.
Lower gear ratio
Ensures a faster start and easier ride when climbing uphill.
Custom mudguards
Fits the bike like a glove (available at an RRP of 89€ / 79£ inc VAT ).
Puncture-resistant tires
Has a flexible grip and a puncture protection layer in the tires.
Comfortable ride
Increased comfort with an increased tire surface along the rims.
Three colourways
Now available in Absolute Black, Anthracite Grey, Mineral Grey to suit the rider’s preference.
Cowboy 3 users will of course make the most of existing features like the aforementioned removable battery and a lightweight bike weighing only 16.9 kg.
App Update Highlights
The new Cowboy is connected to an app like its predecessors. In addition to the existing Cowboy app features (Find My Bike, Navigation, Live Dashboard, Siri Voice Control),four new features will complete the digital experience and transform the way one rides and navigates through cities:
Auto-unlock
The bike knows its rider. The app automatically senses when you’re nearby. Simply move the bike, and it will unlock so you can keep your phone in your pocket and be ready to ride in an instant.
Theft detection
Your bike should move with you and only you. The owner gets notified as soon as someone tries to move or attempt to snag their bike.
Crash detection
The road is rough out there. So if a rider is ever in an accident, a sensor detects the fall so we can check in to make sure they’re alright. If the rider doesn’t answer, their emergency contact is alerted right away.
Air quality
Be aware of the pollution level around you and let the app show you the healthiest way through the city.
Cowboy Mobile Service Highlights
The now introduced Cowboy Mobile Service program is a network of repair specialists who come to our customers wherever and whenever they need a repair—free of charge when under our 2-year warranty. This program, now active in 24 cities and expanding throughout the summer, was inspired by our Test Ride program—a 67-city network of Cowboy experts who meet a prospective customer with the bike to try it before purchasing.
Adrien Roose, CEO of Cowboy said: “The success of our previous model has been tremendous across all of Europe. It’s been great to create an electric bike that really speaks to the modern commuter as they set to change the way they experience urban movement. We always knew that people would start to look at alternative ways to commute over the next few years, however with cities’ increased investment in bike infrastructure, we are thrilled to offer a perfect blend of convenience, technology and comfort.”
Technical specifications of the Cowboy 3 electric bike:
Weight
16.9 kg total weight, including battery
Frame material
Aluminium
Rider height
One M/L frame size, optimized for riders between 170-195 cm tall
Tires
Cowboy custom tires, puncture resistant tires with a flexible grip and a puncture protection layer at a width of 42mm
Brakes
Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
Front lights
Integrated LED front light can be turned on/off via the app
Rear lights
Integrated LED rear light intensifies when decelerating and/or braking
Warranty
2 years
Range
up to 70 km autonomy
Battery
2.4 kg removable battery. 360 Wh and 10.0 Ah
Mobile app
iOS and Android. Secure, digital-key lock/unlock via personal app
Colours
Absolute Black, Anthracite Grey, Mineral Grey
Belt
Gates carbon belt, gear ratio 63/22 (2.86), offering a 30k km lifetime
Charger
100 W charger with a charging time of 3.5 hours
Motor
Custom-designed 30 Nm / 250 W motor, integrated into the rear wheel
Cowboy, the company with a vision to transform urban mobility, has today announced record sales with a growth of 230 percent from January – April 2020 compared to the same time period last year. In addition, the company hit a major milestone as it reached one million kilometres covered in April, an increase of 800 percent year on year. Cowboy had predicted that the urban mobility sector would face a shake up in the years to come, however the pandemic has accelerated this as people seek faster, healthier and greener ways of travel.
In an unfortunate time when many start-ups are facing challenges, Cowboy has seen April sales increase by an impressive 40% over March despite the lockdown restrictions affecting its core markets. The growth demonstrates a shift in consumer demand as the requirement for a safer means of transport becomes a higher priority for global city dwellers.
Recent announcements from London, Berlin, Paris, New York and Milan to increase and dedicate space for cyclists and pedestrians are reinforcing Cowboy’s view that these measures will drive a more permanent change that will extend beyond a post COVID-19 pandemic world.
Cowboy has also noticed significant changes in usage patterns over the past few weeks. In Germany alone Cowboy has seen a surge of 100% in its active users as they utilise the smart electric bike as a way to combat the closure of public transport methods. Across all countries the number of kilometres travelled has increased by an impressive 100 percent when compared to pre COVID to reach one million kilometres covered in April. The biggest monthly total to date for the company and a staggering 800 percent increase year on year.
Users have extended their Cowboy use for more than just the daily commute as the average journey increased from 5km in March prior to lockdown restrictions to 6km in April. In February, 50 percent of our riders were using their bike around offices standard opening and closing times ( 7 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 7 PM ). This has shrunk to 28 percent with peak time now being 15:00 proving that the electric bike is now more than just a means to getting to work but also being used for shopping and exercise.
Adrien Roose, CEO, Cowboy said: “We’ve always felt that urban mobility was due a transformation as we look at ways of cutting down on stress, traffic and pollution. However, the pandemic has accelerated this evolution by forcing us all to rethink elements of our life from how we work, shop and move around. More than ever, we exist to make it a permanent change rather than temporary.”
