Full bore at the cargo bike races

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Race from the start

Start of the cargo bike heats at the Tour Taxi cargo bike races. Standing start, bikes in the distance – and then the bolt to the bikes, riders thrown on board and the race is on. Cargo bike races are fun.

Ride, race, and then ride – toughen up, sweetie

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Cargo couriers ride the distance to Brussels

“We rode in from Ghent for the event and then we have the races. I think we will have to ride home, after.”

Cargo bikes are not just for flatlands and couriers

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – My first outing to a cargo bike race. Too much fun!

“There are a lot of cargo bikes today, but many of them are from Ghent or Kortryk. It is a little easier to ride cargo bikes out there. Or in Berlin. Or London. All of them are flatlands. Not so

The best messenger bags are decorated to shock

Rugged, road weary, anarchistic bike messengers have something in common with aimless teenagers. The compulsive need to add a barrage of decals, stickers, badges and wot-nots to their daily bag – and the best

Steampunk to the highlands on a bike

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Fancy dress optional for Sunday Without Cars

“I am from Thailand, dressed as a Scot and living in Belgium. But it is the Sunday Without Cars ride and I thought it would be nice to dress up.”

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Notes: Check the face mask. Pure cyberpunkJust one short week ago and it seems like a distant memory. Work does that. But the day was a huge success., Now the government has to figure out how to get more. One Sunday a month the entire year. Or every Sunday from May to November. But the success of the event, each and every year, is showing the direction. More bikes. Period.

Penny farthing, the first speedster and still on the roads

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Penny farthing and the costumed riders that offer a shock to modern bikes

“People are still racing these penny farthings. We had 26 Englishmen here last week for the European Championships. I have had mine going 56 kilometres per hour on a

From boneshaker to Merckx on two wheels

It is unusual to get a chance to view of a real history of bikes. Museums have them. So it was an extra treat to see a dozen bikes on

Mobility Week climaxes with a Sunday Without Cars

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Celebrating 200 years of cycling at Palais Justice on Day Without Cars

Another truly brilliant Day Without Cars in Brussels and I am exhausted from the day. I go from being one of a threatened minority to becoming the privileged and dominant – even if for just a matter of hours. My day is always a longer ride early

Mobility Week offers even more for cyclists

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – A bike fair in Brussels will host a range of cycling events.

Mobility Week is almost here in Brussels and there is a flood of activity to make it worthwhile to be on a bike.

Always pimp your (folding) bike to your own style

©Barry Sandland/TIMB – Flaunting the weight of the Ahooga foldable.

“There are always decisions to make when you look for a folding bike. I wanted something a little stiffer, like mountain bike and the X-type riding. It is a faster bike. If I had  my way, I would have the handlebars lower so you have a more aggressive, racing position. But I have already changed the crankset for something stiffer, harder to ride. I do not want an electric bike. I like to pedal the bike.”